Football

Captain Khuất Văn Khang of Việt Nam (centre) seen in a friendly match against Palestine on September 3 in Phú Thọ Province's Việt Trì Stadium. Khang and his teammates will head for Indonesian Asian qualification next week. Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Coach Đinh Thế Nam has called more players to strengthen his U20 squad who will vie for the Asian championship qualification later this month.

After a 0-0 draw match against Palestine on Saturday, Nam said although his players were better, they still wasted a number of threatening opportunities.

"My players maintain practicing heavily since their training course in Japan last month. However, they have not reached their best in both form and fitness for the Asian," said Nam.

"We still made individual mistakes, wrong passes and were lacking confidence in both managing the ball and opening attacks."

Asked about his key player Khuất Văn Khang who didn't perform as well as expected, Nam said his skipper has featured in many matches recently leading to an overload.

Khang was the core of the U19 squad in Indonesia’s regional championship in July. He also competed in the Asian U23 championship in June.

"I will adjust his training and competition schedules so that he will be his best in the coming qualification, especially when Việt Nam plays Indonesia in the last group round match," Nam said.

About the reinforcements, the 57-year-old coach said they agreed to leave their clubs after the weekend's domestic games. Their presence would make the difference and his team will be improved remarkably in the future.

“I believe in my players. When I receive the reinforcements we will be a better team and our confidence will be boosted. We will grab a slot in the Asian finals," he said.

The new comers are Hồ Văn Cường and Đinh Xuân Tiến from Sông Lam Nghệ An, Bùi Vĩ Hào from Becamex Bình Dương, Nguyễn Hải Nam and Nguyễn Hiểu Minh of Phố Hiến, and Lê Quang Hiển of Nitifood.

Striker Bùi Vĩ Hào from Bình Dương is expected to improve Việt Nam's front line at the Asian U20 championship's qualification later this month in Indonesia. Photo thanhnien.vn

Among them, striker Hào has won Nam's heart as he is one of the rare young players given the chance to compete in the national premier league V.League 1 regularly.

To date, Hào has played 11 matches, starting five times and scoring once.

"These players are competing in the V.League 1 and 2 recently. They were also members of the national U17 and U19 teams. I strongly believe that despite the short time they will quickly catch up with our pace and style," coach Nam said.

The U20s will play Palestine in the second match today in Phú Thọ Province's Việt Trì Stadium. But it will be behind closed doors.

The Việt Nam team then move to Bình Dương Province on September 9 before flying to Indonesia for their September 14-18 tournament.

Việt Nam are in Group F with Timor Leste, Hong Kong and the hosts in Surabaya.

Indonesia are considered the toughest rival of Việt Nam. The two sides will vie for the top position of the group.

The winning team of each group and the five best second-placed teams of 10 groups will qualify for the finals which will be held in Uzbekistan next March. VNS