VietNamNet – Pocketing the gold medal is the target that the General Department of Sports and Physical Training has set for the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the U23 men’s football squad at the upcoming SEA Games 27.

In a recent meeting between related parties, vice head of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training cum VFF vice chairman, Mr Pham Van Tuan, looking at the current development of Vietnam football in comparison with other national squads in the region, and said that he himself and millions of enthusiastic fans are hoping to see the moment when the U23 men’s football squad triumphs at the biggest regional sport event.

“Of course, by looking at the training schedule, competing time-tables, and player performances, fans are likely to forecast and bid the final achievements of the team. Any lower targets would not satisfy the fans. That is an invisible stress for our players,” he said.

The squad has not yet gotten an official coach. Acting coach Hoang Van Phuc is likely to get his final deal with VFF to head the team for a long period. It means that he would lead the U23 men’s football squad at the upcoming 28-sport SEA Games 27 event.

According to head of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, Mr Vuong Bich Thang, his office clearly defended its point of view on hiring a domestic head coach to lead the national squad and the U23 squad.

With regard to the national women’s football squad, vice head of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training cum VFF vice chairman, Mr Pham Van Tuan, confirmed that the renewal of Chinese coach Chen Yun Fat's contract is likely to be signed in the near future.

However, the contract’s period has not been finalized due to some issues between Mr Chen Yun Fat and his governing body Dalian Football Federation. A 18-month contract is better than a 3-year contract now, and of course he will be paid more.

As scheduled, Chen is tasked with guiding the Southeast Asian champions to defend their Southeast Asian Games title in Myanmar next December. He will also work on helping Vietnam win a spot in the finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015 in Canada.

The SEA Games 27 are to be held in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay regions and Ngwe Saung Beach from December 11 – 22, including athletics, water sports, archery, badminton, basketball, billiards & snooker, boxing, canoeing, cycling, football, golf, hockey, judo, karatedo, rowing, yacht racing, sepak takraw, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, indoor volleyball, weight-lifting, tennis, chess, body-building, petanque and traditional rowing.

The SEA Games, held every two years since 1959, are the largest sports event in Southeast Asia and, at most, include 32 disciplines.

Source: CPV