Mr. Duc refused when Miura called up U19 players to play in AFF Cup 2014.

After the team stopped at this year's AFF Cup, President of the Vietnam Football Federation Le Hung Dung revealed that coach Toshiya Miura once intended to call up Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, and Xuan Truong.

"Before the AFF Cup 2014, Coach Miura suggested bringing some U19 players like Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, Xuan Truong... to the national team. However, Mr. Duc absolutely did not agree," VFF President Le Hung Dung told VnExpress. "Mr. Duc was afraid that there would be problems in the national team, while the U19 generation did not have much life experience, and could easily be influenced and fall."

Players like Cong Phuong are expected to be the future of Vietnamese football. Photo: Duc Dong.

Under the guidance of Coach Miura, the Vietnamese team has made significant changes in both playing style and spirit. They passed the group stage undefeated, topping Group A and made a strong impression with a 2-1 victory over Malaysia in the first leg of the semi-finals. However, in the return match at My Dinh yesterday, December 11, the team unexpectedly played poorly and lost 2-4, even falling behind 4-1 in the first half and being eliminated.

Too shocked by the result and developments in this match, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has asked the authorities to clarify some doubts. The VFF President also affirmed that he will quickly proceed to build a new team of players who are cleaner and more ambitious.

"I have worked with Vice President Tran Quoc Tuan and General Secretary Le Hoai Anh and reached an agreement that we will use U19 Vietnam players for the 2015 SEA Games. However, we have not decided whether to use this entire group of young players or alternate them with other groups. Everything will have to be discussed specifically," Mr. Dung affirmed.

Talking to VnExpress, Mr. Duc admitted: “It is true that coach Miura wanted to call some U19 players to the national team, but I advised him not to. Why? Because they are still young and have no life experience, I am afraid that when they go there, they will not be able to integrate with their seniors in both playing style and lifestyle. I would like to repeat that I only advise against calling this U19 generation, but I do not refuse, because when I am on national duty, how can I dare to refuse.”

According to VNE