Football

HÀ NỘI — Veteran coach Lê Thụy Hải said the Việt Nam U22 team could get positive results if they sustained their performance during their 1-0 win over the K-League All Stars team in Hà Nội on Saturday.

Nguyễn Văn Toàn scored the only goal in the 70th minute to help the Vietnamese side win their final friendly match at home, before leaving for a training course in South Korea this week.

The young players missed several chances, as their strikers Hà Đức Chinh, Lê Thanh Bình and midfielder Vũ Văn Thanh failed to either shoot on target or beat the All Stars’ goalkeeper.

Head coach Nguyễn Hữu Thắng and midfielder Lương Xuân Trường said that it was a friendly match, and the visiting side did not try their best for a win.

“I am satisfied with their physique. We have shaped the team well for the upcoming tournaments. My players learnt a lot from the All Stars,” Thắng said after the game.

“I believe that the All Stars wanted a draw result. They did not play to their entire capacity. It was partly due to the difference of climate and their lack of practice,” Thắng said.

Hải, who has won several national titles, however, said it was a good match for the whole team, both the first-line players and the substitutes. They almost made no mistake in the 90 minutes.

Hải only regretted Chinh’s missed chance, who failed to score when he was in front of the empty net in the first half.

“I am sure that if they do the same thing during the Malaysian Games, Việt Nam can scare any team. The only challenge would be the heavy pressure they will face at an official event, which is really different compared with a friendly,” Hải said.

“We are really hopeful for the coming SEA Games,” he added.

While the home side received congratulations, the All Stars were criticised for their poor performance.

The squad had gathered the best players competing in the K.League teams.

However, it seemed that they played without understanding due to the lack of time.

Prior to the match against Việt Nam, the Korean team only had a few days to work together and one training shift in Hà Nội,

They also had a chance to score, but they failed even though  the hosts are considered to be at a lower level.

South Korean newspapers such as Chosun, Hankookilbo and Best Eleven expressed their disappointment with the stars, who were selected by local football lovers.

Speaking after the match, coach Hwang Sun-Hong said the U22 of Việt Nam had no weaknesses. The loss of his team was due to their under-performance in the game, he added.

He also blamed the poor conditions at the stadium that strongly affected his players who were not prepared adequately.

The U22 team will have 10 days of training and competition in South Korea.

It will be the final touch before heading for the SEA Games in Malaysia.

Việt Nam are in the group of death with title favourites Thailand and Indonesia.

Việt Nam will play their first match against East Timor on August 15. — VNS