Austrian coach Alfred Riedl sends message to U23 Vietnam before the final
Austrian coach Alfred Riedl, who has led the Vietnamese national team for many years, commented that this year's Vietnam U23 team is "classy" and their success is wonderful.
He told the U23 Vietnam players: "Try your best. Stay focused and don't make personal mistakes. If you play well and have some luck, anything can happen."
 |
| U23 Vietnam |
Mr. Alfred Riedl commented that the success of the Vietnam U23 team was great. "I am very happy to watch them compete. This is a tournament not only between Southeast Asian countries but also between teams from all over Asia, so it is very difficult. This time the U23 team is strong, has class and a little bit of luck, especially in the penalty shootout" - Alfred Riedl said.
When asked what message he wanted to send to the Vietnamese players, the former Austrian coach said: "Up to now, the players have tried their best and reached their current position in a difficult tournament, so now anything can happen."He added:"They have the drive, the determination, the confidence and they should use that special drive to win. They should try to use the special position they have now."
Mr. Riedl once led the Vietnamese national football team to high achievements in tournaments in Southeast Asia, but at the Asian regional level, he only led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2007 Asian Cup, after losing to Iraq.
Regarding Vietnam's opponent Uzbekistan, the former coach commented, "this could be the strongest team in this tournament, if looking at the results so far."
To reach the final match with Vietnam, the Central Asian country's U23 team overcame opponents such as Japan and South Korea with a large score difference.
"In my remote assessment, Vietnam is the underdog in the final match," said Mr. Riedl.
For his part, Mr. Riedl said he always feels "comfortable" working in Vietnam because of the "great fans".
He said he "wants" to return to Vietnam in the future, "if not as a coach then as a tourist".
