Coach Chatchai Paholphat.

The invitation was released after Hoang Anh Gia Lai, which gathers many footballs stars, were trounced in the first two matches of V-League 2009. The team expects that Chatchai Paholpat can help its current Thai coach Dusit to lead the team to victory.

The club’s chairman, Doan Nguyen Duc, said Chatchai would be in Pleiku on February 19 to start his job.

The first challenge for Chatchai will be a match in the 1/18 round of the Vissai Cement Cup 2009 against Dong Tam Long An on February 22.

Coach Chatchai worked with Hoang Anh Gia Lai in 2007. He was the trainer of the club’s current coach and some Thai football stars like Kiatisuk and Tawan.

Chatchai experienced various positions, including the chief coach of Osotspa Club in Thailand, of the Thai national team at the Asian Cup 2004 in China, at the King’s Cup 2005, the qualifier round of the World Cup 2006, and assistant coach of the Thai U23 squad at the SEA Games 2003 in Vietnam.

It is believed that experienced Chatchai can help Hoang Anh Gia Lai overcome the current situation. However, Chatchai will be the assistant to Dusit, not the chief coach.

An official of Hoang Anh Gia Lai said that inviting Chatchai was an urgent solution. The club plans to invite a foreign coach with a more impressive career resume.

VietNamNet/TP