Hoang Anh Gia Lai determined to become the strongest football team in Southeast Asia

The new technical director of Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), Chung Hae-seong, has just made two notable statements.

He hopes that during his tenure HAGL will win the 2019 V-League championship and declared his determination to turn HAGL into the strongest team in Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia can be considered a not-so-wide scope. However, if we look at the reality of what HAGL has and is having, the goal of being the top team in the region is really too difficult for them. Even in the golden age 13 years ago, Kiatisak, Dusit... although helping Mr. Duc's team conquer two V-League championships, still could not bring HAGL to the top of the region.

At present, the generation of Cong Phuong, Van Toan, Van Thanh... even have to struggle with the relegation battle. Currently, HAGL is still uncertain about staying in the league when they only have 21 points, ranking 12th/14 teams in V-League 2017.

Four days ago, FootballDatabase published the October rankings of Asian football teams. Muangthong United - the reigning champion of the Thai League - ranked 14th in Asia, leading among Southeast Asian clubs with 1,526 points. Hanoi Club - the reigning champion of the V-League (currently leading the V-League) is 221 places behind Muangthong on the Asian rankings, with only 1,246 points.

Given those numbers, it is not easy to narrow the gap between the second-to-last position (HAGL at the moment) and the top position of V-League (Hanoi). The distance from the top of V-League to number 1 in Southeast Asia is even further away.

What is commendable about Mr. Chung Hae-seong is that he has outlined a roadmap that demonstrates HAGL's ambition, instead of just focusing on domestic football tournaments.

If they continue to take each step with certainty and determination, Technical Director Chung Hae-seong and HAGL will at least conquer certain milestones they set, on the journey to the great destination.

According to TNO