Duc said he would give younger players the opportunity to play in the remaining matches against Song Lam Nghe An, Khatoco Khanh Hoa and The Cong.

The purpose is to better prepare them for the U21 national football tournament finals to take place in Binh Duong from September 17-27 when the Da Nang U21 team will defend their title.

“For me, apart from V-League, the Thanh Nien-sponsored U21 tournament is very important,” Duc said. “So I need to create chances for the young players to improve themselves.

“I believe the young players will take the opportunity to perform impressively and prepare well for the U21 championship.”

About winning the V-League championship this year as a debutant coach, Duc said he was very happy especially because he was still young and not very experienced.

He said it was the achievement of the team as whole with strong support from club managers, city officials and fans.

Most importantly, he said, it was with a bit of luck. He felt it was hard to say who was the best. “Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson once said winners always need luck and Da Nang is no exception,” Duc said.

Asked about comments that Da Nang had played poorly in some matches during the season, Duc said winning or losing was just part of football. Da Nang is not always stronger than other teams, so it can’t keep winning all the time.

In some matches, rivals used tricks to irritate Da Nang players and some players, especially the young ones, just lost their head, Duc said.

Prodded on plans to defend the VLeague crown, Duc said, “As a player, I won the A1 national championship with HCMC Police in 1995 and many asked whether we could defend it. Everyone wants that but it is difficult to say in advance.

“I can only say briefly that the team will remain basically the same, with some more players to strengthen it because we will have to play in the V-League and the Asian Football Confederation Cup as well.

“If we don’t have more players, it will be extremely hard to reach our goals. But I agree that defending the title is more difficult than winning it.

“So we will make sure the squad for next year is stronger.”

Asked what he thinks about football in Ho Chi Minh City, Duc said it was a pity that the city now has only HCMC Club while it used to have several strong clubs earlier.

He also said he had no right to make suggestions. However, he said the sport would be strong again in the city if it received sufficient attention from authorized agencies and individuals.

Queried on rumors that he would be an assistant coach for the national team at the 2011 Asian qualifying round and the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos later this year, Duc said it was a promise to coach Henrique Calisto, but it was not yet official.

“If I work as an assistant coach, I will work for a fixed period because preparations at Da Nang for the next season are very demanding,” Duc said. “I must fulfill my duty at the club before I can help the national teams.”

Reported by Quang Tuyen