Head coach Enrique Calisto and his players at a training session

Surprise decision by national coach Enrique Calisto leaves star players off the U23 roster for major regional tourney.

After a private meeting with his team Tuesday, head coach Enrique Calisto gave defender Cao Cuong a life lesson by dropping his name from the list.

The backbone of the SHB Danang Club, Cuong was the first-string central defender on the national team that clashed with South Korea’s Chunnam Dragon at the VFF Cup last mont – and he played brilliantly.

But after hearing that Calisto wanted him on the U23 team for the SEA Games, Cuong grew arrogant, missed practices and was seen out partying late at night. So the coach gave him the boot.

Popular and talented midfielder Van Khai was also absent from the final list. The decision shocked fans as Khai is known as a beloved disciple of Calisto’s after an extremely successful season with southern club Dong Tam Long An, where the Portuguese coach also mans the helm.

“In football, there is no place for sentimentality. It is very difficult for me to choose and cut players. I can’t be sure my contract will be renewed, but I wanted to that ensure our younger players have a chance to play and improve at the next SEA Games in two years.

“Five of the seven cut players are good enough to join the U23 national team. I feel sorry for them, but we have to obey the rules. They are as good as the chosen players but the youngsters must be given a chance to advance because they are the future of the national team.”

As the roster stands now, only three of the team’s players have SEA Games experience.

But that could be all for the better as the squad fared poorly at the last contest in 2007, only managing to reach semifinals.

Still, fans are full of anxiety and trepidation as for nearly a half of century, the country has pinned its hopes on winning gold medals in the SEA Games football competition every two years.

Another surprising elimination was An Giang goalkeeper Minh Nhut. Calisto chose only two goalkeepers, including inform Tan Truong from Dong Thap and Khoa Dien from Ho Chi Minh City.

Calisto said he had to let Nhut go as he only wanted to field two goalkeepers at the competition. Asked by reporters if the move was at all risky, he said that SEA Games rules allowed a third substitute goalie in extreme situations.

“Training so hard for the U23 team over the last two months has been a valuable experience for me,” a deeply saddened Nhut said with his head down. “I was trained and matured rapidly and of course this is a big lesson for me to learn from.”

Compiled by Le Huynh Le