High expectations for the new head coach.
The selection of coach Hoang Van Phuc was made in the context of the national team needing someone who understands the team's internal affairs and has enough experience to lead the transition of players. The VFF believes that, with his many years of experience in football and his time with the national team as an assistant coach, Mr. Phuc can inherit the established values while making adjustments to suit modern trends.
Speaking on the day he took office, Coach Hoang Van Phuc could not hide his honor at being entrusted with the responsibility: “This is a great honor for me. I would like to express my gratitude to Coach Mai Duc Chung - the teacher who laid a solid foundation for Vietnamese women's football.” Coach Phuc also emphasized that past successes, especially qualifying for the 2023 World Cup, will be the motivation for the whole team to aim for higher goals in the future.
Regarding professional matters, the new head coach of the Vietnamese women's national team stated that he will not dismantle the existing foundation but will continue to develop the core values that have shaped the identity of the Vietnamese women's national team. Based on that, he aims to add modern elements, especially organization, discipline, and tactical adaptability. "We will combine the experience of key players with the youthful energy of the new generation of players to build an effective and dedicated playing style," Coach Phuc emphasized.
A notable aspect of Coach Hoang Van Phuc's approach is the expansion of opportunities for players, including those of Vietnamese descent living abroad. According to him, the door to the national team is always open to those with the ability and desire to contribute. Simultaneously, the coaching staff will closely monitor domestic leagues to select the best possible squad. "The door to the national team is always open for players with the necessary qualities. I will also closely monitor domestic leagues to select the best players," Coach Phuc affirmed.
During his tenure, coach Hoang Van Phuc clearly defined his focus as building a strong team and preparing for major tournaments, especially the 2026 ASIAD and the 34th SEA Games. He aimed to maintain Vietnam's leading position in the region, target a SEA Games gold medal, and strive for success at the continental level.
“In the coming period, I will work with the coaching staff to build the team in a stable yet innovative way. This means leveraging the experience of key players while creating opportunities for young players to develop and gradually inherit the team's strength. The team will prepare as best as possible for the 34th SEA Games with the goal of winning the gold medal. Besides that, we also aim to maintain our leading position in the region and strive for medals at continental tournaments,” the strategist born in 1964 affirmed.
The pressure is considerable.
Coach Hoang Van Phuc's biggest challenge is overcoming the enormous shadow cast by Coach Mai Duc Chung, who led Vietnamese women's football to historic milestones. Under Coach Chung, the team not only qualified for the 2023 Women's World Cup but also won the 2019 Southeast Asian Women's Football Championship, along with a streak of four gold medals at the SEA Games in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023. These brilliant successes serve as both a foundation and a source of pressure for any successor.
After its peak, Vietnamese women's football is facing increasingly fierce competition. Regional rivals are increasing naturalization and investing systematically, while the Vietnamese women's national team is struggling with the transition of its squad. The "golden generation" with players like Huynh Nhu, Hai Yen, Kim Thanh, Nguyen Thi Thu, Duong Thi Van, Bich Thuy, etc., are gradually passing their peak, while the next generation needs more time to accumulate experience.
Furthermore, limitations in physique and stamina – a point repeatedly mentioned by coach Mai Duc Chung – remain a persistent weakness that puts the Vietnamese women's national team at a disadvantage against taller opponents. This is a difficult problem to solve in the short term, requiring a long-term strategy and comprehensive investment.
Coach Hoang Van Phuc's mission goes beyond short-term achievements. He must rejuvenate the squad, develop a modern playing style, and create a foundation for sustainable development. With teams like the Philippines and Thailand rising strongly, the pressure to comprehensively upgrade everything from physical fitness and technical skills to the training system is becoming increasingly urgent.
The fact that the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) only signed a one-year contract with coach Hoang Van Phuc shows caution. After failing to find a suitable foreign coach despite seeking assistance from Japan, choosing Mr. Phuc is somewhat of a temporary solution. However, with nearly two years as an assistant coach for the women's national team, he is expected to have a good understanding of the situation and be well-prepared.
Coach Hoang Van Phuc expressed: “I do feel pressure, but that's normal in the coaching profession. I spent almost two years as an assistant coach for the women's team. Thanks to that opportunity, I was able to learn from experience by observing how Coach Chung coached. I also have many years of experience in football, both in coaching and management. I am confident in taking on this role. The coaching staff and Coach Mai Duc Chung will also advise and support me.”
Mr. Phuc also affirmed that he will inherit the values left by his predecessor, while building a new direction suitable to the current reality. However, what the team needs now is not a "copy" of Mr. Chung, but a coach with enough courage to usher in a new cycle of development. Coach Hoang Van Phuc is not the immediate solution, but the starting point for the rebuilding process. And the first challenge will come at the 2026 ASIAD - where he must prove his ability amidst high expectations and a harsh reality.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/ky-vong-va-ap-luc-cho-hlv-hoang-van-phuc-220824.html
Comment (0)