Coach Park Hang-seo: 'Vietnam is always in my heart'

What worries you the most after deciding to leave Vietnamese football after more than 5 years in charge?

Coach Park Hang-seo:In October 2017, I officially took charge of the Vietnam national team. At first, I did not understand Vietnamese football. Everything was strange. During the first 1-2 years, I learned a lot about the culture and characteristics of the players.

Since the third year, I have felt the pressure from the fans with the achievements of the national team. I have fulfilled all the promises in the contract. The decision not to renew the contract was made by me more than a year ago but it was not the time to announce it. I thank everyone for supporting me to fulfill my promise to do my best. In the near future, I will no longer be the head coach of the Vietnam national team, but my feelings, nostalgia, and love for the fans and for Vietnam will always be in my heart.

Coach Park Hang-seo held a press conference to share about the Vietnam national team's preparation plan for the AFF Cup. Photo: Hai Hoang

How is the Vietnam team preparing for the AFF Cup 2022?

Coach Park Hang-seo: As for the preparation for the AFF Cup, it is also following the normal process, no different from before. The team list has some players who are late due to playing in the National Cup. V-League has ended, I have not discovered any major injuries in the players, but minor injuries need to be checked and monitored. They have played for a year so their physical strength is exhausted.

The important thing is physical and mental strength. I think we need to strengthen the organization, in which the players need to practice defense and zonal attack. In the future, we will add more diverse playing styles.

In the coming time, Vietnam National Team will add more diverse playing styles. Photo: Hai Hoang

During your time as coach, which Vietnamese player were you particularly impressed with?

Coach Park Hang-seo: I cannot answer the question of liking or being satisfied with any player. They all deserve to be in the national team. The players must ensure their performance, ability, and mindset. The vast majority of players have ethics and character. Football players have the characteristics of collective living. Therefore, in addition to the above factors, they must be in harmony with the collective playing style. That is very important.

Do you recommend any Vietnamese players to the Korean National Championship?

Coach Park Hang-seo: The Korean National Championship has ended. Many teams have changed coaches and players. I know many Korean clubs are interested in Vietnamese players, but Vietnamese clubs do not want to release them. It is very difficult for Vietnamese players to go abroad in terms of procedures. Not many clubs are willing to let players go to generate revenue. They are not open-minded. If players want to go abroad, clubs must create conditions. This issue must be flexible.

You often don't give opportunities to many new players in the national team, why, sir?

Coach Park Hang-seo: If we are fans, we only watch football, and the responsibility for the results lies with the coach. The coach thinks differently from the fans. The coach wants to have good results and satisfy the fans. That is very difficult.

In the past 5 years, I have discovered many new players. But when choosing them, besides their ability, each team has its own color and style of play. Will the new player get used to the team's style of play? This will take a lot of time. If you are not responsible for the results, it is too easy. But using young players will have two sides.

There are many young players in the Vietnamese national team today. The average age is 25.5 and there are 7 players under 23 years old. Previously, we thought that key players would have a place in the national team, but in reality, theyI am always open, looking. I am still looking for many new players but it takes time.

AFF is the last tournament of the Korean strategist. Photo: Hai Hoang

How does your departure from the Vietnam team after the AFF Cup 2022 affect the players?

Coach Park Hang-seo:The AFF Cup is my last tournament. For me, every tournament requires the best preparation and the highest goal. Every tournament has pressure. Last year, we lost to Thailand in the AFF Cup semi-finals, but that was not because we were not determined. I don't know what the players are thinking or worrying about in this AFF Cup. I want them not to think too much about my upcoming retirement. I want the team to have fun activities like usual.

How do you rate the opponents at AFF Cup 2022?

Coach Park Hang-seo:I have not paid attention to Group A, but only focused on studying the opponents in my group. I watched Thailand and Malaysia. Malaysia has a very high fighting spirit, has a new Korean coach. Indonesia has a plan to naturalize 6 players. As for Thailand, through the recent King's Cup, I saw that the individual level of the players is still the best in Southeast Asia.

What are your plans after you stop leading the Vietnamese team?

Coach Park Hang-seo: I have no plans until January 2023. That's a matter for the future. Everything is focused on the remaining work in the national team.

I can't say yet where I'll work next, but it will definitely be something related to football.

Thank you!