Coach Park Hang Seo (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s football potential hasyet to be fully tapped and the freshly-concluded 2018 Asian FootballConfederation (AFC) U23 Championship where Vietnam claimed the silver medal isjust a beginning, said U23 Vietnam’s head coach Park Hang Seo.
Speaking at a press conference held by the Vietnam FootballFederation (VFF) in Hanoi on January 29, Park said following the AFC U23Championship, the squad’s coaching panel and the VFF will prepare for othertournaments such as Asian Games (ASIAD), ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and2019 AFC Championship.
He used the occasion to thank the Party, State and relevantunits for their support, as well as football lovers for their sentimentstowards the squad.
Asked about factors leading to the team’s success, the coachsaid apart from physical strength and tactics, solidarity, discipline and highdetermination contributed to the result, stressing that the players competedwith the aim to bring glory to their homeland.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hasapplauded the Party Organisation, authorities and people of Hanoi, the Ministryof Culture, Sports and Tourism, the VFF, the Ministry of Public Security andpress agencies for their contributions to the welcome ceremony for U23 Vietnamwhich took place safely on January 28 night.
The leader expressed his hope that the squad’s spirit andwill will be spread in all sectors and regions, contributing to the national constructionand defence.
“U23 Vietnam’s second runner-up title at the AFCChampionship is the historic achievement of the country’s sport sector, demonstratingthe stuff and will of Vietnamese people. It is also the pride of the nation,especially the young generation,” he said.
Vietnam became the runner-up atthe AFC U23 Championship after losing 1-2 to Uzbekistan in the final inChangzhou, China on January 27.
The team defeated Australia 1-0 in the groupstage. They won over Iraq in the quarterfinals and Qatar in the semifinals withpenalty shootouts. With these achievements, Vietnam became the first SoutheastAsian squad to compete at the AFC U23 final.-VNA
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