On February 25, the Chairman of the Vietnam Football Federation, Nguyen Trong Hy, rejected the rumor that the VFF would give the national squad to Henrique Calisto and the U23 team to Mai Duc Chung.

VFF Chairman Nguyen Trong Hy and coach Calisto.

Hy stated that “The major goal of Vietnam’s football in 2009 is the 25^th SEA Games in Laos, not the qualifier round of the Asian Cup 2011. Moreover, the national team will have only two matches at the 2009 qualifier round of the Asian Cup. If Mr. Calisto only trains the national squad, the remaining long period of time will be a waste, while we have to pay piles of money to hire him.”

Hy also rejected the information that the VFF raised the target of winning the gold medal of the 23^rd SEA Games as a condition for Mai Duc Chung if he wants to hold the U23 team.

“I’ve never made any statement like that. We set goals for all tournaments. Our target at the 25^th SEA Games is entering the final match. If Mr. Mai Duc Chung dared to hold the national squad, we would have to hire Mr. Calisto. It is unreasonable to give the national squad to Mr. Calisto and U23 team to Mr. Mai Duc Chung,” Hy said.

Hy said the VFF is awaiting the National Coaching Council’s opinion about the personnel of the coaching boards for the two national football squads. As the council’s Chairman, Nguyen Sy Hien, is busy with the National Futsal Championship 2009 in HCM City, a three-sided meeting among the VFF, the National Coaching Council, and Coach Calisto will be held on March 4 to make the decision.

VietNamNet/TT&VH