Coach Huu Thang: A burning desire to conquer new challenges.

(Baonghean) - National team head coach Nguyen Huu Thang spoke with Bao Nghe An newspaper on the occasion of the New Year 2017.

PV:Having been a national team player, head coach of SLNA Club, and then chosen as head coach of the Vietnamese national team, for many, this is a source of pride for Nghe An football. How do you feel about taking on this new job?

Coach Huu Thang:In life, everyone desires to conquer new challenges, to contribute, and to live their passion. My first feeling upon being chosen as the head coach of the national team was one of pride and honor. Besides the responsibility of contributing, this is also a desire to conquer a new height in my coaching career, but above all, it is the pride and honor of serving the national team.

Nguyen Huu Thang was appointed head coach of the national team in the presence of leaders from the Vietnam Football Federation.

PV:Being a football coach in Vietnam always involves a lot of pressure from public opinion and the expectations and demands of fans, while the country's football is still facing many difficulties. What differences do you see between a club head coach and a national team head coach?

Coach Huu ThangCoaching is a very high-pressure profession, but while club coaching might involve a pressure level of 10, coaching a national team can bring that pressure to 30, 40, 50, or even 100, because the scale of a national team and a club is completely different. At the national team level, with over 90 million Vietnamese people always expecting great things from the team, the pressure is immense. And as the person in charge, representing the national team in international competitions, the pressure is even greater.

PV:As a player, participating in numerous SEA Games, AFF Cup, and other international tournaments, and later as head coach of the Vietnamese national team, what were your feelings before each match, when saluting the flag and singing the national anthem?

Coach Huu ThangI retired from playing more than 20 years ago, but whenever I remember singing the national anthem before big matches, I recall the most sacred and proud feeling. That feeling remains intact for me today whenever I walk onto the field hand-in-hand with the coaching staff and players, joining tens of thousands of fans in the stands to sing the stirring anthem, boosting morale before each match.

Vietnamese fans always stand by the national team - Photo: Duc Cuong

PV:According to him, what is the difference between playing in front of tens of thousands of home fans and the pressure of fans playing away from home?

Coach Huu Thang:Playing away and playing at home both present different pressures. For example, playing in Indonesia, under the pressure of tens of thousands of passionate fans for the entire 90 minutes, their relentless cheering made me feel like I was caught in a huge whirlpool. In difficult situations, under the greatest pressure, the spirit of collective unity forms a strong bond; at that moment, our team is like a large ship weathering a storm at sea, unstoppable.

PV:During the halftime break, what measures does he usually take to boost the players' morale?

Coach Huu Thang:I often encourage the players that in all circumstances they must find a way to overcome challenges and never give up, but the most important thing is to adjust the tactics, point out mistakes that need to be corrected, and highlight strengths that need to be developed.

Under coach Huu Thang, unity is a strength of the national team - Photo: Duc Cuong

PV:After leading the team in competitions against regional and international teams, what is your assessment of the current level of Southeast Asian football, and the gap between Vietnam's "arch-rivals" such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore?

Coach Huu Thang:In my opinion, the gap between footballing nations is beginning to narrow. However, Southeast Asian football remains a "low-lying area" in the world. Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, we currently lack something superior. We only surpass them in passion and the fervent support of our fans nationwide, which is a crucial element for professional football. To develop our football, the most important thing is comprehensive investment, starting with youth player training, establishing more football academies, and improving the quality of domestic leagues from the second division to the first division and V.League. Only then will our football emerge from this "low-lying area."

PV:According to him, given the current development trends, does the Song Lam Nghe An football training academy need further upgrading?

Coach Huu Thang:Football is developing very rapidly these days, so we can't dwell on the past. SLNA is a renowned youth football training center nationwide, but in recent years, its youth training system has lagged behind other training academies due to a lack of adequate investment. In football, without investment, success and maintaining a leading position are impossible. Proof of this is that SLNA's youth teams have not achieved the same level of success in recent years.

Coach Huu Thang thanks the fans after the match at the 2016 AFF Cup - Photo: Duc Cuong

PVHe once said that when selecting players, he doesn't discriminate based on region or hometown, but rather on professional ability. However, recently, calling up many players from Nghe An province to the national team has created any pressure or difficulties for him in arranging the lineup.

Coach Huu Thang:The profession of a player or coach is like an art form, so you can't choose someone you know over someone with professional expertise. For me, I give opportunities to anyone with good skills who fits my playing style. Now it's the players from Nghe An, and soon it will be players from HAGL, Hanoi T&T, VPF, or any player who plays well; I will select them for the SEA Games squad and the national team. Should I have to constantly explain myself to the public every time I choose a player from this place or that place? I think if you live like a straight tree, you have nothing to fear.

PV:When the national team participates in tournaments, do you take the time to read the news and social media posts about yourself and the team?

Coach Huu Thang:During those times, I had almost no free time because I was working with the players and assistants all day long.

PV:So, what advice would you give the players regarding how to view and process information from the press and social media?

Coach Huu Thang:Yes, I have to advise them so they know how to protect themselves from public opinion and focus on their professional work.

PV:After the AFF Cup, your immediate task is to select players to prepare for the upcoming SEA Games. How do you assess our current young players?

Coach Huu Thang:Our youth football talent is still developing, but we shouldn't have overly high expectations or inflate the situation. We need to be realistic and not think that winning a few youth tournaments and having some luck means we're on a different level. We shouldn't give young players the idea of ​​becoming stars too soon; we need to assess the situation correctly and understand how to play at different ages. For example, players like Cong Phuong and Xuan Truong recently made it to the national team, which is already a success. Their futures are ahead of them; this is just opening the door for them to play for the national team. The disappointment, if any, stems from our excessive expectations of young players.

PV:Being the head coach of the national team and soon the U23 team means a very busy schedule and a lot of travel, so how do you find time for your family?

Coach Huu Thang:On holidays and weekends, if they don't coincide with tournaments, I always try to go home to my family. During those days, I try to do as much for my family as possible, taking my children to school in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon. If I have free time, I take them out to play or to the movies. When there are matches in Vietnam, my family usually comes to watch and support me. This is also an opportunity for us to meet and bond, even if only for a short time.

PV:Thank you for taking the time to chat. I wish you, the Vietnamese national team, and the U23 team much success in the new year!

Duc Chuyen(Perform)