Vietnamese U23 football team (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam had a successful sporting 2017, and the country’s athletes hope to build on this solid foundation at the Asian Games, the AFF Cup and various domestic and international events.
1. Three-gold-medal target at Asian Games
Based on Vietnam’s sports achievements in recent years, the target of three gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games, to be held in Indonesia from August 18 to September 2, is not unrealistic. However, the goal will not be easy to reach, with many world and Asian champions set to compete in at least 12 sports the country is targeting medals in.
2. Victory ambition at 2018 AFF Championship
The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship, slated for November 8 to December 15, is Vietnam’s biggest football tournament this year. After poor performances at three consecutive AFF championships, hopes for the national team coached by Korean Park Hang Seo are high.
3. Six football teams and continental dream
For the first time in history, six Vietnamese football teams qualified for the finals of Asian championships, namely the national team, the national U23 team, the national U19 team, the national U16 team, the national futsal team and the women’s team. In 2018, the Vietnam Football Federation plans to spend some 70 billion VND (3.1 million USD) on the teams’ training and competition to help them prove the country’s football progress in the international arena.
4. Third Summer Youth Olympic Games
The third Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from October 6 to 18. The event will attract about 4,000 athletes aged between 15 and 18 from 206 countries who will compete in 32 sports. At the two previous Games, Vietnam obtained two gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
5. Eighth Vietnam National Games
The eighth edition of the Vietnam National Games, held every four years, will be held in late 2018 with Hanoi the main venue. The Games will feature competitions in 36 sports, with the competition expected to help assess sports development in each locality nationwide.-VNA
VNA
