U22 players train in Hanoi (Source: VNA)
Vietnam Football Federation Vice President Nguyen Xuan Guannounced the goal at a meet with journalists in Hanoi on July 11.
“Our women have won the SEA Games titles on several occasions. Vietnamis one of the strongest teams in the region so we would definitely want a goldmedal again,” said Gu.
“On the men’s side, we have never won a title despite all our efforts.However, this year a great job has been done. We have strongly supported theteam with intensive practice courses, foreign coach, and fitness trainer andtechnical director, all you can see throughout recent years. We hope that wouldhelp to make our dream come true. And this year we want them to at least enterthe final,” he said.
VFF Vice President Tran Quoc Tuan also shared his ideas.
He said the current team with Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Van Toanand Luong Xuan Truong had been receiving support since the last SEA Games.Together with the best players selected from the U-20 squad who competed in theWorld Cup last month the team hold promise.
“In terms of international experience, our squad is quite good asthey have taken part in a number of events. It is the generation that enjoyedthe best preparations for the SEA Games. We just need God’s blessings tosucceed, and blessings will come if we try hard,” Tuan said.
Vietnam women’s team won the SEA Games four times in 2001, 2003,2005 and 2009. In the latest Games which included women’s football in Myanmarin 2013, they finished lost 1-2 to Thailand in the final.
The men’s best position was first runner-up five times in 1995,1999, 2003, 2005 and 2009. They were third at the Singapore Games in 2015.
Speaking about the men’s team, coach Nguyen Huu Thang said Vietnamwas drawn in a group of six teams. It meant that they had to play one matchmore than those of the other group. It would be one of the difficulties butplayers were under no pressure.
“We are in the same group with Indonesia, the Philippines anddefending champions Thailand, which is called ‘Group of Death’. It is difficultfor us but it is the same for the other teams as well. We look at them as toughrivals, and so do they as Vietnam are also a tough team under their eyes,” saidThang.
“I want my players to compete with an open mind. They are under nopressure but have been asked to train as hard as possible. I also want them toplay with belief. They can lose or win but if they do the best in every gamethey could leave the field with peace of mind. And of course, a little luck byour side will be perfect,” said Thang.
Men’s football will be organised from August 14 to August 29. Vietnamin Group B will first play East Timor on August 15.
Vietnamese players have trained in Hanoi for 10 days. They willleave for HCM City tomorrow and have three days to prepare for the AsianFootball Confederation U-23 Championship qualification round.
On the women’s side, coach Mai Duc Chung said his players were ina good mood for the SEA Games.
“They have shown better skills and physique after a recenttraining in Quang Ninh province. We will have another practice course in Japanwith several friendly matches. All these works are for success in the SEAGames,” said Chung.
Chung, however, did not share his opinion of the gold medal targetbut said his players had prepared carefully so their result could be betterthan the men’s.
He said he did not want his players to be nervous because of thetarget, but they should play with easy shoulders.
There are five teams competing in the women’s football. They willcompete in a round-robin format and the team with highest points will be thechampions.-VNA
VNA
