HANOI (8 June 2012) – Former ASEAN champions Vietnam are not looking to change the record books when they face China in a friendly in Wuhan City later today. For the record, Vietnam had never beaten China in six matches they had played previously.
As newly appointed chief coach Phan Thanh Hung pointed out, the target is the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 later this November and the friendlies against China and then Hong Kong (in Mongkok) are but steps towards the bigger picture.
“The friendlies are part of a long-term strategy (for the AFF Suzuki Cup later in the year),” said Thanh Hung. “It is in the middle of the national tournament (the V-League) so my players are at their peak with fresh spirit.”
The match will be the first time Vietnam are playing under a local coach after being under foreign coaches for the past 16 years.
“We did not set a target for the team from these two matches but they were asked to play to their best, to make a good impression for local fans as well as international friends,” said Vuong Bich Thang, head of the Administration of Sports and Physical Training.
