Vietnamese football progresses, what moves do Southeast Asian countries make?

THAILAND

In 2017, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) issued a very detailed strategy for developing Thai football until 2026 - vision 2036, from goals, competition plans at all levels, training young players, referees to operating costs.

Thailand team. Photo: FA

Goal: FIFA World Cup 2026

In 2016, FAT hired Ekkono (a football consulting company currently cooperating with the Japan Football Federation, Barcelona...) from Spain. Ekkono has the following 4 tasks:

• Send Spanish coaches to lead Thai youth teams from U15 and below to build a playing style that is suitable and consistent with Thai football.

• Recruited from the youth teams of all clubs currently competing in the National Championship, from all over Thailand.

• Teach and transfer youth coaching and training skills to youth team coaches at Thai clubs.

• Collect statistics on potential young players, schedule tournaments to suit the current force. In 2018, FAT also put into operation a 'research and development' center with the aim of storing all player data nationwide. In addition, the center also aims to research and apply scientific advances to Thai football.

MALAYSIA

In 2018, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced the strategy “Road to 2030”

Malaysia National Team. Photo: Trung Kien

Goal: FIFA World Cup 2030

• Similar to Thailand, Malaysia is the second country to announce its strategy for participating in the World Cup.

• Since 2018, the Malaysian Football Federation has applied standards for professional clubs with high requirements in youth training, operating costs as well as club operating models with the goal of raising the level of the Malaysia Super League.

INDONESIA

Goal: Asian Cup 2023 finals, AFF Cup 2020 championship

Indonesia national team. Photo: Fox Sports

• Despite recent controversy, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and the country's government are determined to bid to host the 2034 or 2038 World Cup. Previously, they also failed in the race to host the 2022 World Cup.

• In addition, the Indonesian U17 team, after their success in 2018 with the U16 Southeast Asian Championship and reaching the quarter-finals of the U16 Asia Championship, has also received strong investment. Since the beginning of 2019, nearly 30 Indonesian U17 players have been sent for a 5-month long-term training course at prestigious centers in the UK.

MYANMAR

Myanmar National Team. Photo: AFF

Goal: Semi-finals of AFF Cup 2020, U17-U20 World Cup Finals

• In early 2019, the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) announced its 2019-2022 development strategy with "chief architect" Eric Abrams, who has led Belgium's youth teams for many years.

• In this strategy, MFF will apply the 4-3-3 formation for all youth teams with adjustments suitable for the qualities of Myanmar people.

• Myanmar youth teams will be led by foreign coaches. Youth tournaments from U20, U18, U16, U14 will be held twice a year. Expanding the development of football academies, currently MFF has 3 youth training academies sponsored by FIFA.

Winning AFF Cup 2018, what next?

(Baonghean.vn) - The AFF Cup 2018 championship came to Vietnamese fans in a way that was not as emotionally charged as the U23 Asian Cup. The convincing championship is a 10-year affirmation of Vietnamese football. Reaching the pinnacle of glory is difficult, how to keep Vietnamese football on the right track is still a difficult problem.