To prepare for the game against Macau in the first qualifier round of the World Cup 2014, in HCM City’s Thong Nhat Stadium on June 29; the Vietnamese national team is practicing under the instruction of new coach Falko Goetz.

The team lacks its pillars, such as goalkeeper Hong Son (Hanoi T&T FC), midfielder Minh Duc (Saigon Xuan Thanh) and midfielder Vu Phong (Binh Duong). Goalkeeper Hong Son left the team for personal reasons while the two others suffer from injuries. They are replaced by goalkeeper Thanh Binh (Da Nang), Dinh Luat (Hai Phong) and Ngoc Duy (Hanoi T&T), respectively.

Although Vietnamese coach Mai Duc Chung is in charge of instructing players, the German coach always kept an eye on and guided players.

The German coach spent a lot of time for exercises with fixed circumstances. He asked players to show their ability in occupying certain positions on the playground. Vietnamese players performed the coach’s requests well. The coach was satisfied with his players’ disciplinary and teamwork sense.

Only midfielder Phuoc Tu still suffers from a gentle injury. The remaining players were very eager to practice.

Striker Cong Vinh is trying his best in drilling after a long time in treatment. Coach Goetz highly appreciates him.

After the drilling, the coach analyzed the weakness and fortes of each position, through which he made combinations among players to defend the goal.

After four training days, the team played a friendly game against Dong Nai FC on June 19. The score was 1-1 but coach Goetz said he was satisfied with his players’ performance.

“We have practiced for several days so everything is not in order yet. I think that this is an important and helpful match for my players. Through the game I had a chance to evaluate our recent drilling. We have learned a lot of valuable experience to improve our skills in the coming time,” the coach said.

He said the team needs to better many things in the remaining ten days, especially the ability to score goals.

The team will play a second friendly game against Dong Tam Long An FC on June 24, at HCM City’s Thong Nhat Stadium.

Members of the national football squad in the game against Macau:

Goalkeeper: Thanh Binh (Da Nang), Tan Truong (Dong Thap), Manh Dung (Thanh Hoa)
Fullback: Phuoc Tu (Saigon Xuan Thanh), Dinh Luat (Hai Phong), Anh Tuan, Long Giang (Navibank Saigon), Quang Thanh (Binh Duong), Dinh Dong (Song Lam Nghe An), Viet Cuong (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Hoang Quang (Da Nang).

Halfback: Thanh Luong (Hanoi ACB), Duy Nam (Hanoi T&T), Minh Chau (Hai Phong), Thanh Hung (Da Nang), Ngoc Duy (Hanoi T&T), Tai Em (Navibank Saigon).

Striker: Viet Thang (Ninh Binh), Cong Vinh (Hanoi T&T), Dinh Tung (Thanh Hoa), Ngoc Anh (Song Lam Nghe An), Quang Hai (Navibank Saigon), Ngoc Thanh (Da Nang).

PV