Coach Le Thuy Hai: 'V-League still has many things to think about'

V-League 2015 ended with many events, Coach Le Thuy Hai affirmed that there were many things that made him worried and at the same time the country's football managers had to think about.

* What impressed and unimpressed you about the 2015 V-League season?

- What impressed me most this season was that B.Binh Duong successfully defended the championship title. We often say that winning the championship is difficult, but keeping the title is even more difficult. Not many teams can do that and this is the second time B.Binh Duong has done this. Another impression is that HAGL used the young players from the Academy to play in the V-League and received a lot of support. After that, HAGL had some difficult times but I am very happy that they finally overcame them.

No team has successfully defended the title of defending champion twice like B.Binh Duong. Photo: Tuan Pham

But there are also aspects that I see as lacking in this season, for example, the violence on the pitch. The press has reported that SLNA is one of the teams that receives the fewest cards, which is very contradictory. People do not conclude that teams that receive many yellow cards and red cards are usually weak or average teams.

Because in a match they can drag out time, throw the ball illegally, or use their hands to play the ball, all of which can result in yellow cards. That's what weak teams usually do, and if we have to summarize, we have to do it thoroughly and tightly.

Another thing that exists is that in the text I have never seen a precedent and read that the player who injures another player must pay for the treatment costs. In principle, coaches like me should be able to read such texts to disseminate to athletes but I have not had the opportunity.

Coach Le Thuy Hai may return to coach in V-League 2016. Photo: Dang Nguyen

I would like to mention the case of Que Ngoc Hai. And the 6-month suspension for this player is like no discipline at all. The more I see the activities of VFF and the Disciplinary Board are further and further removed from the reality of Vietnamese football. If so, will Vietnamese football improve? Those are the things I still worry about and we have to ask questions.

Disciplinary action must have a real deterrent effect, do not treat unfairly because the player is good, he is the captain of the U23 or national team. Que Ngoc Hai's tackle like that was malicious, hitting the player's leg before tackling, that is completely against the law. In that case, there was nothing dangerous, the match was not tense, the opposing player was not good but still committed such a serious foul, it must be disciplined, it cannot be tolerated, even after the incident happened, he felt remorseful, regretted, went to the scene to apologize.

This incident could have resulted in a 5 or 7 match suspension, but a 6 month suspension and saying it is a separate law is not appropriate. FIFA is in charge, this is not a spontaneous organization. You have to enforce the FIFA law, you cannot say that in Vietnam there is a separate law like this.

* In your opinion, is B.Binh Duong's championship convincing, is Dong Nai's relegation a surprise?

- B.Binh Duong deserved to win the championship because they got 52 points, 6 points more than the second-placed team Hanoi T&T. The only sad thing about this year's V-League is that no team is chasing the championship with B.Binh Duong and the tournament is only dramatic in the lower groups.

As for Dong Nai, Mr. Su is a veteran coach but his emotional statements are not appropriate. He is a long-time coach so he needs to make accurate and precise statements. Just speaking in general terms like that is not good. He said this team and that team colluded but without evidence, anyone can say it and people will think he is bitter and angry.

* Many people say that B.Binh Duong's defense of the championship title has a big mark of Mr. Hai "lo"?

- We should not let the past overwhelm us. I have been a champion for many years and this year, from the preparation stage until I left, the team is still leading the rankings, but I am not the one who decides everything and must find out why B.Binh Duong won the championship? First, they have money. Second, they have good players. The conditions, stadium, and regime make the players comfortable and have spectators. B.Binh Duong also has spectators with a well-functioning fan club, always attached to the team.

At the same time, B.Binh Duong chose a good coach. Mr. Mai Duc Chung is one of the coaches with achievements and prestige, although in V-League he has not achieved anything formidable. Actually, I am very happy because without me, B.Binh Duong still won the championship. The players are always united and they play for themselves, for the leaders who pay salaries and bonuses, not for Mr. Hai or anyone else. If you say whether Mr. Hai contributed or not, let everyone judge.

* So can we expect the return of coach Le Thuy Hai in V-League 2016?

- I don't know yet. But I have to have the right to do my job when I go to work. If a place doesn't give me the right, I don't like that place. When people really need me, to do my job, and satisfy both sides, then I accept. But I do it because of my passion and the desire to make Vietnamese football better.

* Thank you!

According to TT&VH