Futsal

VFF General Secretary Lê Hoài Anh and coach Diego Raul Giustozzi shake hands after signing a two-year contract in Hà Nội on August 9. Photo vov.vn

HÀ NỘI — National futsal team head coach Diego Raul Giustozzi is happy with his players' professionalism and the working conditions he has been offered after nearly two weeks in Việt Nam.

The Argentinian coach officially signed a two-year contract with the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF)and was introduced to the public on August 9 in Hà Nội.

Their deal will last until the end of September 2024, when the 10th World Cup finishes.

"The working and living environment here is better than I have expected," Giustozz said during the press briefing.

"Believe me, the first impression and life outside the futsal pitch partly affect coaches' working quality. Coming here, I saw professionalism on the field and people's smiles and sincerity, too. I am warmly welcome and well-treated by everyone. This will help me do my job better.

"Việt Nam futsal is appreciated in the world. Players are high quality, and the VFF has provided everything I need for my training.

"I know VFF has their own targets for the national team. I will try to help Vietnamese futsal develop and grab their targets. We have not much time for the coming tournament, but we will know where we are in about 60 days."

The 44-year-old coach will lead Việt Nam at the Kuwait AFC Futsal Cup in September, where the team are expected to be in the top eight to qualify for the 2024 World Cup.

Giustozzi is a high-profile coach who led Argentina to win the World Cup trophy in 2016. With the team, he also won a silver at the Pan American Games, and golds at the National Cup and Continental Cup in 2014.

He secured the America Cup in 2015 and Intercontinental Cup in 2017, along with achievements with a range of clubs in Argentina, Italy and Spain. VNS