He said, however, that the public and the press were entitled to their opinions because the team needed and was grateful for their support.

But said it was wrong to focus on the team’s “weaknesses” as the team had played “their best.”

“For me, I think it is normal for me to complain to a referee about his decisions. I don’t know why I was given a red card in the match against Malaysia in the group stage on December 8,” Calisto said.

“Meanwhile, Singapore’s coach Radojko Avramovic reacted strongly to an assistant referee in the match against Vietnam in Hanoi Friday, but he didn’t receive a red card.”

“The public didn’t say anything about that. I didn’t see anyone criticize him. That was not fair,” Calisto said.

At times during the interview Calisto shut his eyes and appeared to be praying to the heavens.

“I just inspire them to play well,” he said about his team. “They themselves decide how hard they try. I can’t do it for them.”

Earlier in the week the national coach had more positive things to say when he spoke to his team before the 2008 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup first leg clash against Singapore at Hanoi’s My Dinh on Wednesday. Calisto stood on the table in the change room and told his players, “You must fight like men!”

His players jumped on the chairs and said in unison, “Try to win! Try to win!”

Calisto said he was happy to have a team who wanted to win for Vietnam.

Reported by Quang Tuyen