'The Prime Minister is very interested in and has high expectations for the U22 team and the Vietnamese women's team'

That was the sharing of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien on the morning of August 19 when he visited and encouraged the teams participating in the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia.

Minister Nguyen Ngoc Thien visited and encouraged the Vietnamese sports delegation on the morning of August 19. Photo: N.Khoi

Because the meeting room at Berjaya Times Square Hotel was too small, only representatives of the U22 Vietnam team and the Vietnam women's football team and delegation officials were present.

At the meeting, head of the Vietnamese sports delegation Tran Duc Phan reported to the minister on the delegation's activities and competitions in the past time. Next, head coach Nguyen Huu Thang and head coach Mai Duc Chung reported on the competitions of the U-22 team and the Vietnamese women's football team.

Minister Nguyen Ngoc Thien showed his concern for the players when he called the two captains Dang Thi Kieu Trinh and Bui Tien Dung to speak. Goalkeeper Kieu Trinh said that the Vietnamese women's team will try their best to achieve the best results against Myanmar tomorrow (August 20) as well as the remaining matches to bring glory to the country.

Talking to the Vietnamese sports delegation, Minister Nguyen Ngoc Thien said that this was the first time he had attended a SEA Games, so he felt moved and confident that the delegation would achieve good results. He expressed that the Vietnamese sports delegation winning 2 silver medals and 1 bronze medal (both in archery) up to this point was not a bad start.

The Minister said: "It's good to start like that, even though we want to have a gold medal. A gold medal is of course what all athletes in all sports aim for, but don't put pressure on yourself because of that. Athletes must try to feel most comfortable, relax their bodies. The goal is to set, but don't put too much pressure on yourself, don't be stressed, then you will have results."

Speaking specifically to the two football teams, the minister shared that it is necessary to focus on physical recovery in the best way for the upcoming important matches. He said: "Football is often played for a long time, so physical fitness is decisive in the following matches. Whoever recovers better will win. Only with physical fitness can we go the long way, reach the final match and win. Therefore, I hope the two head coaches of the two teams will pay close attention. U-22 Vietnam has won two matches, satisfying the audience. Similarly, the women's team also won one match, but everything is still ahead and must go to the final match."

Minister Nguyen Ngoc Thien also said that Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc pays special attention to the two teams U-22 Vietnam and the Vietnam women's team at the SEA Games. He said: "In at least two meetings with me, the Prime Minister expressed his expectations and wishes that the two teams U-22 Vietnam and the Vietnam women's team can achieve the best results. I say this not to put pressure but to show the attention of the head of government for both football teams."

According to TTO