Coach Huu Thang - Number 1?

(Baonghean.vn) - More than ever, millions of Vietnamese fans expect a gold medal in men's football at the 29th SEA Games. If U22 Vietnam wins the title, Huu Thang will become the 'number 1' of this tournament.

Simply, after more than a decade of playing football, the first generation of players from the HAGL - Arsenal - JMG Football Academy such as Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, Xuan Truong, and Van Toan have joined the national team.

When Thailand, our biggest rival, was not as overwhelmingly strong as before, coach Worrawoot Srimaka and his team had a not-so-successful qualifying round for the 2018 AFC U23 Championship. The gap between Vietnam U23, who lost 1-3 to Thailand U23 in the final match of the 28th SEA Games group stage, has been narrowed a lot.

When the calculations of host Malaysia pushed Thailand to face Indonesia before us, a match schedule can be said to be favorable.

With a well-trained army and a favorable situation, the burden now falls on coach Huu Thang, and the strategist born in 1971 is increasingly aware of that.

Take advantage of every moment, every place

The flight after the training camp in Korea was delayed twice, and it was not until 2am on August 1 that the Airbus A350-900 finally left the runway at Noi Bai International Airport. Despite suffering from bronchitis, Coach Huu Thang was still diligent, making the most of every minute and every hour on the plane to prepare a lesson plan for the U22 Vietnam team.

Despite being sick, Coach Huu Thang still worked diligently on the plane. Photo: Tung Le

When the passengers were asleep, hearing their continuous yelling, U22 Vietnam doctor Nguyen Trong Thuy quickly got up to observe, then quickly ran to head coach Nguyen Huu Thang's seat to check his temperature, give him antibiotics and ask him to rest and take care of his health.

Journalist Tung Le, who followed the group, said that coach Huu Thang nodded in response to the doctor's concern, but then quietly continued to study documents using the flashlight from his phone.

After 5 days of treatment by the team doctor, the respiratory disease still did not go away, forcing head coach Nguyen Huu Thang to go to Mokpo hospital on the morning of August 4 to do related tests before coming up with a new treatment regimen.

Right after leaving the hospital, he took his shoes to the training ground with the players. With such a teacher, the students of the U22 Vietnam team could not help but practice seriously.

Meticulous, detailed

Our colleagues in Korea said that when the team moved from Shina Beach Hotel to Mokpo Football Center (Korea), Coach Huu Thang asked the logistics department to work specifically with the kitchen.

Coach Huu Thang requested to ensure that the U22 Vietnam players receive the best nutritional care. On the contrary, he asked the coaching staff to collect all instant noodles from the players to avoid the players "skipping meals".

If he wins the SEA Games men's football gold medal for the first time, Coach Huu Thang will definitely be the "number 1 man" of the year. Photo: Tung Le

The doctors asked Xuan Truong to find the best ginseng and suggested the kitchen prepare ginseng chicken stew for the players to eat as an extra supplement. The battle ahead was intense, with 5 matches only 2 days apart, so physical fitness was a matter of particular concern to him.

During the team formation and internal team formation match yesterday afternoon, Coach Huu Thang frankly disciplined Duc Chinh for playing quite carelessly, after receiving the ball, he did not control the ball but immediately made a pass that was quite obvious, making his teammates on the other side of the field guess. Even Cong Phuong was disciplined because he still had some situations of playing individually and not passing the ball to his teammates.

Up to now, everything for the team is not perfect but is on a good trend. Nghe An sports lovers always hope that the sons of their homeland participating in the 29th SEA Games will bring glory to the Fatherland and the province. If Huu Thang wins the SEA Games men's football gold medal for the first time, he will definitely be the "number 1 man" of the year.

AT