"Mission" SEA Games 30

First of all, it must be said that the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup for the Vietnamese team will take place at the same time. Mr. Park shared with the press: "The 2019 SEA Games and the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup will both take place in November. What do you think I should do? Believe me, I do not want to shirk my responsibility at the SEA Games."

“I have received so much love from Vietnamese football that I cannot do that. What I am doing is finding a solution, finding the best for Vietnamese football,” Mr. Park affirmed.

Unique opportunity

Coach Lee Young-jin (left) received orders to carry out the 2019 SEA Games “mission” and win the gold medal. Photo: VFF

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that it is entirely possible to expand the number of teams participating in the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams. Thus, Asia will have 8.5 World Cup slots and open up new opportunities for Vietnamese football. After the achievement of the Vietnamese national team passing the qualifying round for the 2019 Asian Cup for the first time and reaching the quarterfinals, it shows that the opportunity is wide open.

The opportunity for Vietnam to become one of the top 9 teams in Asia - a position to hold a spot or half a spot at the World Cup is quite high. The talented generation of players Quang Hai, Cong Phuong, Van Duc along with experienced seniors such as Que Ngoc Hai, goalkeeper Van Lam create confidence for fans. Many national team players have competed in the U20 World Cup, shined at the U23 Asian Cup 2018 and also represented the Vietnamese Olympic team at the continental level.

After winning the Southeast Asian Championship twice, Vietnam men's football should have prioritized winning the SEA Games gold medal, but this is a good opportunity that cannot be missed. Mr. Park's decision to continue conquering new heights is a reasonable calculation.

Possible solutions

Coach Park will only take on the role of technical director for the U22 team, advising his right-hand man. His main task is to focus all his energy on the goal of reaching the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup with the Vietnamese team and coach Lee Young-jin, his right-hand man taking over the U22 team is considered the best solution at present.

Professionally, Mr. Lee Young-jin is a player who has experience playing at the top level for the Korean team at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. In addition, Mr. Lee is considered to have a football perspective and personality quite similar to Coach Park. For over a year, he has been the one who quietly contributed ideas and proposed training plans that have had a great influence on the Vietnamese team. He is very loved by the players, with players like Quang Hai, Bui Tien Dung, Dinh Trong, Doan Van Hau, Tien Linh or Ha Duc Chinh... all working under this coach.

Quang Hai will be the trump card to win the SEA Games gold medal and a ticket to the 2022 World Cup. Photo: VFF

Mr. Park's proposal was considered by both VFF and the National Coaching Council from many aspects and everyone agreed that this coach and his students are fully qualified to win the SEA Games 30 gold medal. VFF General Secretary Le Hoai Anh shared: "When assigning the job to Mr. Lee Young-jin, VFF also considered it because Mr. Lee and Mr. Park always work together to understand all issues to build a suitable playing style for both the national team and U23. VFF will create the best conditions for Mr. Lee to work."

For now, to avoid disruption, Coach Park Hang-seo and assistant Lee Young-jin will keep the same coaching staff for the U23 Asian qualifiers next March. Major changes will only take place at the end of the year when the Vietnam national team and U22 Vietnam gather. At that time, both Mr. Park and Mr. Lee will add more associates to their coaching staff.

Whether or not the calculations of Mr. Park and VFF will come true after the success of the “Vietnamese Football Year”, we will have to wait and see. If we have just won the SEA Games gold medal and got a ticket to the 2022 World Cup, then Vietnamese football will be like “a carp turning into a dragon”.