Phuc was suspendedafter the dismal performance of his players during a match againstBangu Atletic, a visitor from Brazil. The match was a good show up untilthe 58th minute when Phi Son scored his second goal to make it 3-1 forVietnam.
After the goal, Phuc substituted severalteam members who later, together with the other players, showed noinitiative in their play, allowing chances for the Brazilians to narrowand level the results despite their being down to 10 men since thesecond half.
A draw will help Vietnam, ranked secondin Group B, to avoid host team Becamex Binh Duong in the semi-final.Their rivals will be the South Korean team on November 2.
Despite many boos, shouts and screams from the stands, coach Phuc andhis assistants did not react. Phuc was strongly criticised and will notwork with the team until after the tournament which closes on November3.
Along with Phuc, head of the U23 delegation Truong Hai Tung was also temporarily fired.
"It is one of the warm-up tournaments for the U23s ahead of theapproaching SEA Games, but they lost the trust of the national fans. Wehave to be strict in punishing Phuc and Tung because they did notrecognise the problem, tarnishing our football team," said the VietnamFootball Federation (VFF) chairman Nguyen Trong Hy.
"These are only temporally punishments. After the competition, we willexamine the responsibilities of each person an apply suitable bans. VFFwill have to act strongly to solve its negative problems. It is alsonecessary for a successful SEA Games for Vietnam," Hy said.
Vuong Bich Thang, head of the National Sports Administration agreedwith Hy and VFF. "The administration strongly supports the VFF'sdecision. Both Tung and Phuc did not complete their duties, leading tosuch a shame which scratched out the fame of the tournament as well asthe U23 team," Thang said.
Assistant coach PhungThanh Phuong will replace Phuc for the rest of the Cup, while Ngo LeBang, VFF general secretary, will be temporary head of the teamdelegation.
Phuc, 49, was invited to coach thenational and U23 teams early this year after the VFF witnessed some ofthe remarkable achievements in his coaching career. Last year, underPhuc, the U22 team won the silver medal at the BTV Cup.-VNA