Vietnam’s football potential has yet to be fully tapped and the freshly-concluded 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship where Vietnam claimed the silver medal is just a beginning, said U23 Vietnam’s head coach Park Hang Seo. 

Coach Park Hang Seo

Speaking at a press conference held by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) in Hanoi on January 29, Park said following the AFC U23 Championship, the squad’s coaching panel and the VFF will prepare for other tournaments such as Asian Games (ASIAD), ASEAN Football ​Federation (AFF) and 2019 AFC Championship. 

He used the occasion to thank the Party, State and relevant units for their support, as well as football lovers for their sentiments towards the squad. 

Asked about factors leading to the team’s success, the coach said apart from physical strength and tactics, solidarity, discipline and high determination contributed to the result, stressing that the players competed with the aim to bring glory to their homeland. 

On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has applauded the Party Organisation, authorities and people of Hanoi, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the VFF, the Ministry of Public Security and press agencies for their contributions to the welcome ceremony for U23 Vietnam which took place safely on January 28 night. 

The leader expressed his hope that the squad’s spirit and will will be spread in all sectors and regions, contributing to the national construction and defence. 

“U23 Vietnam’s second runner-up title at the AFC Championship is the historic achievement of the country’s sport sector, demonstrating the 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 at the AFC U23 Championship after losing 1-2 to Uzbekistan in the final in Changzhou, China on January 27.

The team defeated Australia 1-0 in the group stage. They won over Iraq in the quarterfinals and Qatar in the semifinals with penalty shootouts. With these achievements, Vietnam became the first Southeast Asian squad to compete at the AFC U23 final.-VNA