Huu Thang: 'No one has the right to force me to choose players'

The head coach of the Vietnamese national team spoke out after criticism about his lack of use of players trained at HAGL in the first leg of the semi-final of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016.

The 1-2 defeat to Indonesia in the first leg of the semi-final put the Vietnamese team under some pressure as they prepare for the return leg at My Dinh Stadium tomorrow, December 7. One of the most concerning issues at the moment is how coach Nguyen Huu Thang will choose the personnel to help the Vietnamese team reverse the situation. In the first leg, the fact that Van Toan and Cong Phuong were only brought onto the field at the end of the match was somewhat criticized by the public.

In response to the wave of opinions that we should create conditions for the duo who grew up in HAGL's training center to start in the second leg, Coach Huu Thang affirmed thatHe chooses people based on the best for the group and without any pressure.

"Since taking office, I have built a strong team, every member of the team must have the will and competitive spirit. Each member is an important link, no matter how small or large. I am the one who decides on personnel and only chooses those I deem suitable, and I want to use the best of the players. I affirm that no one can put pressure on me on professional matters, including the General Department of Sports and Physical Training or the Vietnam Football Federation. I take the highest responsibility for my professional decisions," he said at a press conference before the match in Hanoi on the morning of December 6.

Huu Thang always believes in his personnel decisions and affirms that he is not subject to any external pressure regarding player selection and tactics for the Vietnam team. Photo: Duc Dong.

This is the first time in his coaching career that Coach Huu Thang has been under pressure to win a nerve-wracking match at the national team level. However, he affirmed that he and his players are determined to enter the match with the most relaxed spirit possible.

"Pressure is different for coaches and players. But when we have decided that this is our passion, we have to accept it. Winning or losing in football is normal. Experiencing pressure helps us gain new experiences. Tomorrow's match is important, but I want my players to be as comfortable as possible and play their best for the audience. We will do everything we can to win, but in the spirit of fair play," he shared.

In the first leg in Bogor, the Vietnamese team faced many difficulties due to Indonesia's flank attacks. However, coach Huu Thang is determined that the return match at My Dinh will be different. "Indonesia has two very strong wingers. Moreover, in the first leg, we had to play away under pressure from more than 30,000 home fans. I was satisfied with what my players showed that day. But the return match will be different, I will make appropriate adjustments based on the strengths and weaknesses that the team learned from the first leg," he emphasized.

Coach Huu Thang will have his fourth battle of wits with his former teacher Alfred Riedl. In the three previous encounters, each side won one match and had one draw. Photo: Duc Dong.

The former Vietnam national team midfielder also did not forget to say good words to Alfred Riedl, his colleague on the other side of the front line and former teacher. He said: "It is interesting that I was a student of Riedl, and after 20 years, I lead the team to face the teacher I always respected. However, in football, everyone wants to win. I and the players also want that and will do everything to win, to bring glory to the country."

According to VNE