Vietnam coach takes responsibility for SEA Games exit
>> Losing 0-3 to Thailand, U22 Vietnam bid farewell to 29th SEA Games
The coach of U22 Vietnam team Nguyen Huu Thang has resigned right after the team lost 3-0 to Thailand in last Group B clash in the 29th SEA Games on August 24.
"I think it's my fault that I couldn't keep them calm," he said. "When Cong Phuong had a chance to score thanks to the penalty, we should have scored and that would have lifted the team's spirits. But that's football. I'm sorry and can't say anything," he said.
He went on to say that they faced huge pressure from the public after the match with Indonesia ended in a goalless draw two days earlier. If they had scored against Indonesia, Vietnam would have qualified for the semi-final.
Thang said Thailand played better than Vietnam and his team underperformed.
According to Thang, he failed in mentally preparing the players for the match after the draw with Indonesia. He said, "On behalf of the team, I want to apologise to the Vietnamese fans who had high expectations. I'm the captain of this ship and I want to apologise and resign from this post."
He hoped no one would blame the players, who are still young and have good futures ahead, as the responsibility for the results lay with him.
"This is not a hasty decision as the team left SEA Games too early. We need different experts and coaches to help Vietnamese football improve," he said.
The coach of U22 Vietnam team Nguyen Huu Thang speaks at a press conference after the match on August 24.
"I think it's my fault that I couldn't keep them calm," he said. "When Cong Phuong had a chance to score thanks to the penalty, we should have scored and that would have lifted the team's spirits. But that's football. I'm sorry and can't say anything," he said.
He went on to say that they faced huge pressure from the public after the match with Indonesia ended in a goalless draw two days earlier. If they had scored against Indonesia, Vietnam would have qualified for the semi-final.
Thang said Thailand played better than Vietnam and his team underperformed.
According to Thang, he failed in mentally preparing the players for the match after the draw with Indonesia. He said, "On behalf of the team, I want to apologise to the Vietnamese fans who had high expectations. I'm the captain of this ship and I want to apologise and resign from this post."
He hoped no one would blame the players, who are still young and have good futures ahead, as the responsibility for the results lay with him.
"This is not a hasty decision as the team left SEA Games too early. We need different experts and coaches to help Vietnamese football improve," he said.
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