Striker Le Cong Vinh: 'The current generation of players is equivalent to the 2008 AFF Cup winning team'

(Baonghean.vn) - At the press conference before the friendly match against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, striker Le Cong Vinh commented on the quality of the Vietnamese national team.

Coach Nguyen Huu Thang and striker Le Cong Vinh at the press conference.

The captain of the Vietnam national team said: "The Vietnam national team has only been training for more than 10 days, we are only in the early stages of preparing for the AFF Cup 2016, so I hope fans do not put too much expectation on the Vietnam national team to win against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Our ultimate goal is the AFF Cup final at the end of this year. At that time, whether we succeed or fail, everyone will have the most accurate answer.

Commenting on the current players of the Vietnam National Team, captain Le Cong Vinh said: "Currently, coach Nguyen Huu Thang owns a squad with the same quality as the members who won the AFF Cup 2008, but the 2016 Vietnam National Team has youth and enthusiasm. The youth of the faces participating for the first time will help Mr. Thang have more options. The Vietnam National Team at the present time will be the future of Vietnamese football. If invested in the right direction, they will reap many successes in the next few years.

Comparing the current force, it is equivalent to the generation of players who won the AFF Cup 2008, but if we want to win this year, we need to be accompanied by luck. Portugal won the EURO this year thanks to a lot of luck. In Southeast Asia, Thailand is still number 1 and we are currently ranked much lower than the Thais."

Vietnamese players practice in preparation for the friendly match against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at Thong Nhat Stadium.

Coach Nguyen Huu Thang said: “The physique and physical strength of the DPRK is much better than that of the Vietnamese national team, so I think this is an opportunity for our players to compete before the AFF Cup 2016. Regarding the opportunity to play, the players who practice and perform best will be named in the main squad.

I only let the players of HN.T&T and T.Quang Ninh rest because they have just gone through two quite stressful National Cup finals. As for the players of HA.GL who have just returned, they also need more time to integrate and the opportunity to play will be divided equally among those who have the best form."

Head coach of the DPRK national team Jorn Adersen also appeared quite modest before the match taking place at Thong Nhat Stadium: "The difference between Vietnam and North Korea in the FIFA rankings is not much. Therefore, I think this will be a balanced match.

I don’t know much about Vietnamese football, but I think this is a good opportunity for the North Korean players to practice. It won’t be easy to play in such a hot and humid climate, which is very different from North Korea. But I want my players to adapt and overcome the difficulties.”

Trung Kien