Vietnamese U23 team captain Nguyen Van Quyet said team effort is key toVietnam's success at the 27th Southeast Asia Games (SEA Games 27) inMyanmar.
For the first time since 1995, Vietnamesefootball has come to the SEA Games with little confidence from footballfans and pundits over their chances of entering the top three.
It is believed that the team do not have any players with the abilityto turn the tide of the game in their favour, but for Quyet, it is theteam's effort that matters.
"In football, thecollective effort is the most important aspect, and I believe in thissquad, treasure it and have strong faith that it will find success inMyanmar," Quyet asserted.
The U23 team captain hadspoken to Vietnam News after a training session at the youth footballcentre in Hanoi just one day ahead of the team's departure for Nay PyiTaw, where the Group A matches are scheduled to take place.
The U23 team have made thorough preparations for the Games, playingmore than 10 practice matches against various opponents. T he resultshave been more positive than negative.
"We haveworked hard during the past few months. At the moment, all the teammembers feel relaxed and are looking forward to the game," noted a22-year-old player who can play both in the midfield and up front.
Vietnam will play Brunei on Sunday and then Singapore two days later.Then, they will have a five-day rehabilitation before taking on Laos onDecember 15. They will face their toughest opponent, Malaysia, in thelast group game on December 17.
The play schedule isnot a concern for Quyet, who does not play down the potential of anyteam to snag a victory, stating that all opponents in Group A are toughand that Vietnam must focus on one match at a time since they are notallowed to make any mistakes.
"Not only are Malaysiaand Singapore able to stand in Vietnam's way, but both Brunei and Laoshave the ability to defeat us," remarked the successive two-time winnerof the Best Young Player of the Year title.
Quyet,who is playing for defending champion Hanoi T&T, also reassured fansthat Vietnam is not alone in assembling a team of unknown, youngplayers, with other teams facing similar problems.
"Vietnam is in a state of transition, so the coach must take in youngerplayers, and other teams are facing the same situation as well," hesaid.
Vietnam have made it to the top four since 2003, having reached the finals three times but never having lifted a trophy.
Most fans and critics, however, noted that they do not see any signs of an end to the trophy drought this year.
"Heading to Myanmar with few expectations could give us greater focusduring the games, so we can play to our best ability. Who knows, theball is round, and with some luck, we will make a statement this time,"the Hanoi-born footballer said.
Head coach Hoang VanPhuc on December 2 announced the U23 team's shortlist for the Games,dropping Ngo Hoang Thinh, who cannot recover from his injuries in time,as well as Nguyen Xuan Hung and Ngan Van Dai, who failed to impressPhuc.
The team flied to Myanmar on November 4.-VNA
For the first time since 1995, Vietnamesefootball has come to the SEA Games with little confidence from footballfans and pundits over their chances of entering the top three.
It is believed that the team do not have any players with the abilityto turn the tide of the game in their favour, but for Quyet, it is theteam's effort that matters.
"In football, thecollective effort is the most important aspect, and I believe in thissquad, treasure it and have strong faith that it will find success inMyanmar," Quyet asserted.
The U23 team captain hadspoken to Vietnam News after a training session at the youth footballcentre in Hanoi just one day ahead of the team's departure for Nay PyiTaw, where the Group A matches are scheduled to take place.
The U23 team have made thorough preparations for the Games, playingmore than 10 practice matches against various opponents. T he resultshave been more positive than negative.
"We haveworked hard during the past few months. At the moment, all the teammembers feel relaxed and are looking forward to the game," noted a22-year-old player who can play both in the midfield and up front.
Vietnam will play Brunei on Sunday and then Singapore two days later.Then, they will have a five-day rehabilitation before taking on Laos onDecember 15. They will face their toughest opponent, Malaysia, in thelast group game on December 17.
The play schedule isnot a concern for Quyet, who does not play down the potential of anyteam to snag a victory, stating that all opponents in Group A are toughand that Vietnam must focus on one match at a time since they are notallowed to make any mistakes.
"Not only are Malaysiaand Singapore able to stand in Vietnam's way, but both Brunei and Laoshave the ability to defeat us," remarked the successive two-time winnerof the Best Young Player of the Year title.
Quyet,who is playing for defending champion Hanoi T&T, also reassured fansthat Vietnam is not alone in assembling a team of unknown, youngplayers, with other teams facing similar problems.
"Vietnam is in a state of transition, so the coach must take in youngerplayers, and other teams are facing the same situation as well," hesaid.
Vietnam have made it to the top four since 2003, having reached the finals three times but never having lifted a trophy.
Most fans and critics, however, noted that they do not see any signs of an end to the trophy drought this year.
"Heading to Myanmar with few expectations could give us greater focusduring the games, so we can play to our best ability. Who knows, theball is round, and with some luck, we will make a statement this time,"the Hanoi-born footballer said.
Head coach Hoang VanPhuc on December 2 announced the U23 team's shortlist for the Games,dropping Ngo Hoang Thinh, who cannot recover from his injuries in time,as well as Nguyen Xuan Hung and Ngan Van Dai, who failed to impressPhuc.
The team flied to Myanmar on November 4.-VNA
