Coach Gong: ‘I want to bring Vietnamese players to new heights’

“Vietnam won the first, to reach the quarter-finals of the Asian U23 Championship. I was very impressed with the players. Before the tournament no one thought Vietnam could do this, but now it is successful. I did nothing. The credit belongs to the players. The VFF, the coaching staff, the doctors… have helped the team a lot. I’m grateful for that,” said Coach Gong later. victory over Malaysia at the end of Group C.

On the Lokomotiv field, Vietnam quickly took over the game and made it almost impossible for Malaysia to get on the ball. In the 28th minute, Nham Manh Dung concretized his advantage with a high bounce to open the score. Coach Gong’s team doubled the lead in injury time from Bui Hoang Viet Anh’s back-kick after missing the penalty kick. Although they could not score more goals in the second half, the 2-0 result was enough for Vietnam to enter the quarterfinals, due to the match at the same time Thailand lost to Korea.

After the match, the Vietnamese players were not too excited. Coach Gong said his team still has matches ahead, so now is not the time to celebrate. The Korean leader also affirmed that in the next round, every opponent will be difficult, so he does not care, but only focuses on Vietnamese players to rest and prepare in the best way. He added: “We will focus on recovery, then move on. I ask the players what they want, and they say they want to move to a higher level. I understand and want to take them to new heights. “.

In this match, Coach Gong was surprised when he changed five positions compared to the Korean draw, all in the middle. Van Cong, Cong Den, Thanh Nhan, Hai Long and Quang Nho replaced Duy Cuong, Van Truong, Van Khang, Van Do and Hoang Anh. In which, Thanh Nhan and Van Cong competed in the tournament for the first time. Regarding this, Coach Gong explained: “I was thinking of the quarter-finals. Before the Malaysia match, I had a personnel plan. I had no other special reason. The players were all physically fit and healthy. I have good expertise, so I boldly change”.

Different from the doubtful preparation process, including a 0-3 friendly defeat against the UAE, Vietnam’s scoring ability is improving. Over three games, the team scored five goals from five different players. According to Coach Gong, there is no secret or special training session, but success comes from the ability of the players and he only helps guide.

Vietnam’s next opponent will be determined after the final series of Group D matches tomorrow, June 9. It could be Japan or Saudi Arabia.

Lam Tho (from Tashkent)