Mai Duc Chung is appointed Vietnam national men’s team head coach for a 2019 Asian Cup qualifier match against Cambodia in September. (Photo: laodong.vn)Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) hasappointed Mai Duc Chung as acting head coach of the national men's football team.
Chung replaced coach Nguyen Huu Thang, whoannounced his resignation after the U22 team lost in the ongoing 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 29) in Malaysia.
VFF President Le Hung Dung thanked Thang for hishard work with the team in the last one and a half year. He regretted that theteam could not succeed at the games and accepted Thang’s decision to quit.
After a discussion, the VFF chose coach Chung,who had just won a gold medal with the women’s squad a few days ago in KualaLumpur.
Chung replaced coach Nguyen Huu Thang, whoannounced his resignation after the U22 team lost in the ongoing 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 29) in Malaysia.
VFF President Le Hung Dung thanked Thang for hishard work with the team in the last one and a half year. He regretted that theteam could not succeed at the games and accepted Thang’s decision to quit.
After a discussion, the VFF chose coach Chung,who had just won a gold medal with the women’s squad a few days ago in KualaLumpur.
[Vietnamese women triumph at SEA Games]
In the past, Chung had taken charge of theposition when coach Alfred Riedl resigned in 2007. He was head coach assistantfor national team and the U22 squad for years.
However, Chung would only be responsible for theteam when they play Cambodia in the Asian Cup qualifier on September 5, becauselater, he would be busy with the women’s team, which will prepare for thewomen’s Asian Cup final in Jordan next April.“Chung is a good trainer who loves his job. Theman has always been lucky whenever he coached the women’s team. Although thereis a difference between the men’s and women’s squads, I believe he can manageit,” said veteran coach Le Thuy Hai.
As planned, the national team will be convenedin Hanoi on August 29 to practise for their match in Phnom Penh.
According to Le Hoai Anh, VFF general secretary,the VFF would find a suitable coach for the team after the September game.
Speaking with the media a few days ago, Chungsaid he was ready to take the charge if the VFF offered him the post.
“I am a member of the VFF. I will do whateverthe federation requires me to do. If they need me, I will agree,” he said.
Chung is the only coach in Vietnam who hadsuccess both with the men’s and women’s football teams.
The 66-year-old grabbed three SEA Games goldwith the national women’s team.
Under his reign, Becamex Binh Duong won theV.League trophy in 2016. Earlier, he led the club to the semi-final round ofthe Asian Football Confederation Cup in 2009. He is the first ever coach toregister such an achievement for a Vietnam’s fooball club in the continent-level tournament.-VNA
VNA
