Lots of work ahead, says coach

HCM CITY — Viet Nam's football coach Phan Thanh Hung said that he was not pleased with the results but appreciated the spirit players showed in two friendlies played last weekend.

The national team played their first international matches after the Southeast Asia Football Championships at the end of 2011.

They played two friendlies in two days against China and Chinese Hong Kong, losing to the first one 3-0 on June 8 and winning the second 2-1 on June 10.

"I am not pleased with the scoring, but pleased with the way the team played. Players showed their fighting spirit in the two friendlies but we have a lot of work to do to improve our game," Hung told Viet Nam News on the phone.

Hung had called 22 players for the friendlies, including two defenders, Chau Le Phuoc Vinh and Le Bat Hieu, who have returned to the national team after seven years.

Both veterans had met his expectations, Hung said.

Viet Nam's two goals were scored by midfielders Nguyen Trong Hoang and Nguyen Van Quyet while three strikers failed to make any impact.

But the 53-year-old coach said that although strikers had not scored but their play was good.

According to Hung, the team needs to play more matches to help players combine well.

"Players are fit physically but the team need to play more games to help players link up better," the native of Da Nang said. — VNS