Striker Cong Vinh plans to not join the national squad for the upcoming friendly match against Greek Olympiakos club in order to serve his local club, T&T Hanoi.

Striker Cong Vinh (yellow jersey).

Cong Vinh said his team is facing many difficulties in its first appearance in V-League and he wants to focus his strength on serving the team.

“I must help T&T play well in V-League 2009. It is my top priority. I’ve not refused any match of the national squad since 2004. I wish to withdraw from the friendly match against Olympiakos to focus my strength on my club. My absence will be an opportunity for young players,” the striker said.

“Cong Vinh entirely dedicated his strength and talent for the AFF Cup 2008 so he didn’t have time to prepare for V-League 2009. He has not rested for a short spell so his injuries have not recovered yet. But he still has to play for T&T. Two days after the match against Olympiakos, we face Hai Phong. If Cong Vinh suffered an injury, it would be a disaster. I hope the Vietnam Football Federation will allow Cong Vinh to not join the national team this time, because it is only a friendly event,” said the Chairman of T&T Hanoi, Lam Hong Diep.

Previously, the chief coach of T&T Hanoi, Trieu Quang Ha, said that Cong Vinh and goalkeeper Duong Hong Son hadn’t played well recently because they were overloaded with duties at AFF Cup 2008.

Halfback Minh Phuong, the captain of the national squad, also wants to withdraw from the national squad for this match. His health is said to be not good and he wants to attend a coach training course.

However, Phuong said that if coach Calisto refuses his request, he will join the national squad on May 10.

The list of footballers who have been called up for the get-together on May 10:

Goalkeepers: Dau Ngoc Tan (Military Zone 4), Tan Truong (Dong Thap), Dinh Hoang La-Mikola (Ukraine origin, Ninh Binh).

Fullbacks: Phuoc Tu (The Cong), Minh Duc (Hai Phong), Viet Cuong (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Quang Cuong (Da Nang), Tran Van Hoc (Da Nang), Dinh Luat (Military Zone 4), Chu Ngoc Anh (Nam Dinh).

Halfbacks: Trong Hoang (Song Lam Nghe An), Thanh Hung (Da Nang), Vu Anh Tuan (Dong Thap), Dinh Hoang Max-Maxwell (Nigerian origin, Ninh Binh), Thai Duong, Tran Duy Quang (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Minh Phuong (Dong Tam Long An), Tan Tai (Khanh Hoa), Minh Chau (Hai Phong).

Strikers: Cong Vinh (T&T Hanoi), Viet Thang (Dong Tam Long An), Quang Hai (Khanh Hoa), Thanh Binh (Hoang Anh Gia Lai).

VietNamNet/VNE