Football

Hà Nội — Park Hang-seo will lead the U22 Vietnamese team at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.

Previously, the Korean coach asked the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) to allow him to only manage the senior team.

The VFF then tapped Park’s assistant Lee Young-jin to lead the youngsters.

However after meeting with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện on Tuesday, Park changed his mind, reportedly after gaining a better understanding of the importance of the SEA Games to Việt Nam.

Thiện recognised Việt Nam’s achievements in 2018 and emphasised the nation’s target of a gold medal at the SEA Games.

Park agreed to lead the team but asked for strong support from the VFF.

The coach said he needed at least five weeks to prepare the team as well as more assistants to help him.

He said the VFF must improve three matters -- healthcare staff, nutrition for players and technical assistants -- that were not good in 2018.

He promised if these proposals were met he would bring home the SEA Games trophy.

Responding to Park, VFF President Lê Khánh Hải confirmed the VFF would immediately work on Park’s requests.

"VFF is seeking a fitness coach for the team after Willander Fonseca quit. We expect to welcome an expert from South Korea. We can not announce his name now but he is experienced because he worked for South Korean teams and clubs," said VFF General Secretary Lê Hoài Anh.

Park earlier this week called 37 players to train for the 2020 Asian U23 Championship qualifier in Hà Nội. As hosts of Group K, Việt Nam will play Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand on March 22-26. — VNS