Nguyễn Minh Phương (born 5 July 1980) is a Vietnamese former professional footballer who last played for SHB Đà Nẵng in the V-League. He was also the captain of the Vietnam national football team until the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. In 2007, he captained the Vietnamese team to the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, ending their run in the tournament in the quarter-finals.
An engine in central midfield for both club and country, Minh Phương is known for his technical passing, kick-off taking and shows versatility by often playing as a fullback, midfielder or even as a forward. In 2010, Phương became the most-capped Vietnamese footballer in the history of the national team with 73 caps, large beating Lê Huỳnh Đức, who has 66 caps. After the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, he retired from international football after spending 8 years in the national team.
Career statistics International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsVietnam20026320035120041222005–200630200712020081022009512010122Total6511
Scores and results list Vietnam's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Minh Phương goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Nguyễn Minh PhươngNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka1–02–1Friendly2Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia6–29–22002 AFF Championship3Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia2–12–12002 AFF Championship4Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman1–02–02004 AFC Asian Cup qualification5Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam4–05–02004 LG Cup6Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam2–03–02004 AFF Championship7Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam2–32–32008 Ho Chi Minh City Cup8Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam2–22–22008 T&T Cup9Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam1–03–12011 AFC Asian Cup qualification10Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait1–01–3Friendly11Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam2–17–12010 AFF Championship
Honors
Domestic
Cảng Sài Gòn: V-League: 2002
Đồng Tâm Long An: V-League: 2005, 2006 Vietnamese Cup: 2005
SHB Đà Nẵng: V-League: 2012
International
Vietnam: ASEAN Football Championship: 2008
Individual
Vietnamese Golden Ball: 2010
References
External links Nguyen Minh Phương article from Tuanvietnam.net