Coach Huu Thang explains why Cong Phuong and Tuan Anh are still selected despite playing less.

The Vietnamese national team's strategist affirmed that the decision to select players for the 2016 AFF Cup was entirely his own, and he was not under pressure from anyone.

Coach Huu Thang has always insisted that player selection is based on current form. However, he called up Tuan Anh, Xuan Truong, and Cong Phuong – three players who don't regularly play abroad. Explaining this, the 1972-born strategist said: “The VFF has worked with foreign clubs, and they praised our players for their training attitude and ambition. I've also been following them and seen their progress. As for their current form, we'll have to wait and see how they perform in the upcoming friendly matches of the Vietnamese national team.”

Coach Huu Thang has requested that the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) find a qualified foreign doctor or physiotherapist for the national team. (Photo: Ngoc Dung)

On the afternoon of September 19th, coach Nguyen Huu Thang announced the Vietnamese national team's roster for the 2016 AFF Cup, consisting of 29 players. The team will assemble on September 24th before departing for Myanmar.November 15thgroup stage matches.

“All members of the national team are decided by me. That’s for sure. I choose colleagues and players I can trust,” Coach Nguyen Huu Thang shared. “The most important thing is not to overlook any talent. The squad list is still open; I can add or replace players in the future.”

The strategist, born in 1972, said that as a former player, he understands that after a long time playing in the V-League and First Division, players can become disillusioned with football. His important task is to help his players rediscover their passion, their love for the game, and their longing for the atmosphere on the field. Coach Huu Thang plans to arrange for the players to participate in charity work, so that they feel more fortunate than many others, thereby balancing their psychology and motivating them to contribute more.

“I would really like to have the players train for a short period, like in international competitions, but I can't because our players aren't professional enough for that. Deep down, I wanted to give the players two weeks off after the 2016 V-League season ended before they regrouped. But if I did that, the players wouldn't be able to maintain proper routines, they would lose fitness, and I would have to start over, which I don't want,” Coach Nguyen Huu Thang explained regarding the Vietnamese national team's long-term training camp.

In the squad list, Nghiem Xuan Tu is the only player who has never played for any youth teams or the Vietnamese national team. Coach Nguyen Huu Thang said he called up the player who rose through the ranks of amateur football because of his impressive performances for Quang Ninh Club and, especially, his strong desire to contribute.

List of players called up to the Vietnam national team in preparation for the 2016 AFF Cup.

According to VNE