Coach Gong oh-kyun suddenly says goodbye to U23 Vietnam; Referee identity announced for Croatia - Argentina match in World Cup semi-final

Coach Gong oh-kyun suddenly says goodbye to U23 Vietnam

The leaders of the Vietnam Football Federation confirmed to VOV.VN that coach Gong oh-kyun has parted ways with the Vietnam U23 team.

Coach Gong oh-kyun leadsU23 Vietnamfrom April 2022 with a 1-year contract. The Korean coach left a strong impression at the 2022 AFC U23 Championship, when he brought U23 Vietnam to the quarter-finals.

Although U23 Vietnam lost 0-2 to U23 Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals, the team later won the championship, but the playing style and inspiration that coach Gong oh-kyun brought to the players and fans was enormous.

However, according to the confirmation of a leader of the Vietnam Football Federation to VOV.VN, coach Gong oh-kyun and the VFF could not find a common voice in extending the contract, so the Korean coach will part ways with U23 Vietnam when the current contract expires.

Coach Gong oh-kyun is looking for a new job in V.League after leaving VFF. Photo: VFF

This means that coach Gong oh-kyun will only have 1 major tournament to lead U23 Vietnam in his 1-year contract. Besides coach Gong oh-kyun,Coach Park Hang-seoalso decided to leave the Vietnam National Team after the AFF Cup 2022.

Referee for Croatia-Argentina World Cup semi-final match announced

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has decided to choose Mr. Daniele Orsato and the Italian referee team to officiate the Croatia-Argentina match in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.

Italian referee Daniele Orsato has been appointed by FIFA to officiate the 2022 World Cup semi-final between Croatia and Argentina. He will also officiate the opening match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.

The two assistant referees assisting Mr. Daniele Orsato in this match are both Italian, Ciro Carbone and Alessandro Giallatini.

Notably, the VAR team leader is also an Italian referee, Mr. Massimiliano Irrati.

With the appointment to officiate the first semi-final, this will be the second match that referee Daniele Orsato has officiated in a match involving the Argentine national team (the match in which Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 in the group stage).

Referee Daniele Orsato will officiate the Croatia-Argentina match. Source: Getty Images

During his career, referee Daniele Orsato has officiated 550 matches and is considered to be very strict.

By assigning the responsibility to the Italian referee team, fans hope that fair decisions will be made in the important match in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.

According to the schedule, the 2022 World Cup semi-final between Croatia and Argentina will take place at Lusail Stadium at 2:00 a.m. on December 14 (Vietnam time).

Philippines brings 23 best players to play friendly match with Vietnam

According to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), new head coach Josep Ferre Ybarz of the Philippines National Team has selected the 23 best players for the international friendly match with the Vietnam National Team, taking place at Hang Day Stadium on December 14.

This match is also considered a "dress rehearsal" for both teams before entering the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 campaign. Therefore, it can be understood that the players in the squad going to Vietnam will also be key factors of the Philippine team competing in the regional arena.

The Philippines team actively practiced before moving to Vietnam for a friendly match. Photo: VFF

Some impressive names include goalkeeper Kevin Ray Hansen of Danish origin who had a trial at Liverpool and spent many years playing in Denmark before joining Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur City Club, defender Christian Rontini who currently plays for Penang Club in the Malaysia Super League, midfielder Oliver Bias who played for the German U15, U16 and U17 teams. Oliver Bias is currently playing for Chiangmai United Club in the Thai League.

The Philippines' biggest star is probably still the "veteran" Stephan Markus Schröck. The Philippines' No. 1 attacking midfielder was a member of the German U18, U19, U20 national teams and played in the Bundesliga for 1899 Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt. When he moved back to play in the Philippines, Stephan Markus Schröck won the Golden Ball two years in a row (2019 and 2020), and was also included in the Southeast Asian Team of the Year in 2019.

In addition to bringing the strongest squad to Vietnam for the “dress rehearsal” for the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022, new head coach Josep Ferré Ybarz is also a face that attracts a lot of attention. He is the former Director of FC Barcelona Escola Academy and has led the teams Kitchee SC (Hong Kong), Buriram United, Ratchaburi FC, Bangkok Glass FC (Thailand), Nike (Japan) and FC Bayamón (Puerto Rico).

The international friendly match between the Vietnam National Team and the Philippines National Team will take place at 6:00 p.m. on December 14 at Hang Day Stadium. Tickets for the match have 3 prices: 500,000 VND/ticket, 300,000 VND/ticket and 200,000 VND/ticket, issued directly at 2 locations, the Vietnam Football Federation and Hang Day Stadium.

Vietnam women's team receives important announcement from FIFA

According to the latest announcement from the World Football Federation (FIFA), the Vietnam Women's Team will stay at the Rydges Hotel, Auckland City when going to New Zealand to attend the 2023 Women's World Cup.

To create the best conditions for athletes, the accommodation area, dining room and functional rooms are fully equipped with equipment for treatment and rest after training and competition.

The Vietnam Women's Team is also provided with a private training ground at Fred Taylor Park, a 20-minute bus ride from the accommodation. This complex includes a cluster of 4 football fields and 1 training area. In addition, Fred Taylor Park also has indoor gyms to ensure the training of the Vietnam Women's Team in different weather conditions.

The base and training location of the Vietnam women's national team during the 2023 Women's World Cup. Photo: VFF

After receiving the notice from FIFA, coach Mai Duc Chung expressed his satisfaction: “Last October, I had a business trip and survey in New Zealand to prepare for the tournament in July 2023. In general, FIFA and the two host countries have prepared very good facilities for the teams.

The Rydges Hotel and the training ground at Fred Taylor Park were also among our top choices after visiting and surveying the bases. Therefore, I am very satisfied with this hotel and training ground.”

In the 2023 Women's World Cup group stage, the Vietnam Women's Team will face the US Women's Team in the opening match at 8:00 a.m. on July 22, 2023 (Hanoi time). After that, coach Mai Duc Chung and his team will meet the winning team in the play-off round at 2:30 p.m. on July 27, 2023 and meet the Netherlands Women's Team at 2:00 p.m. on August 1, 2023.