The national football players train for the October's FIFA Days. The team are asked to overcome big challenges in 2024 season. (Photos courtesy of VFF) At the press conference after the meeting, VFF Vice President TranAnh Tu spoke of the federation's activities in the previous year and plansfor Vietnam's teams in the next year.
"The national team of Vietnam will have to qualify for theknockout stage of the 2024 Asian Cup and repeat their best result of enteringthe third qualification round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These are reallytough targets," said Tu.
At the Asian Cup next January, Vietnam are in Group D with Iraq,Japan and Indonesia.
The two top teams of each group and the four teams with the bestresult will advance to the quarter-finals.
At the World Cup second qualification, Vietnam willplay Iraq, the Philippines and Indonesia. The two strongest teams willsecure their places in the next qualifier.
"These are all strong rivals. The VFF will have the bestplans to prepare for the team so that they can complete their missions,"said Tu.
The U23 squad will compete in the Asian Cup from April 15to May 3 in Qatar.
A draw for 16 teams will take place on November 23.
Vietnam are asked to at least pass the group stage and go as faras possible.
On the women's side, the national team has two events in2024, the Southeast Asian Championship and the Paris Olympics.
Tu said it was time for the young players to grow up and replacetheir senior teammates shouldering the heavy duty in the future.
He said currently the U20 squad received strong support includinga European training camp, to improve their capacity so that they would beready for the 2027 World Cup.
Some of them will get a chance to take part in these events.
The national men's futsal team are also assigned difficult task.
The team has just qualified for the finals of the 2024 AFC FutsalCup which is also a chance to qualify for the 2024 WorldCup.
Coach Diego Giustozzi and his players are expected to be World Cupparticipants for a third time in a row. Their mission is to be in the topfour teams to join hosts Uzbekistan in the highest-level tournament.
"It is not an easy target as Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan andThailand are four powerhouses of Asia. Beating them is a big challenge.However, we still need a target to achieve," said Tu.
"Our team will have international friendly matches to sharpentheir skills."
At the meeting, delegates also discussed and agreed with otheractivities to be conducted in 2024.
Among them were plans to develop school and amateur footballmovements; push youth football and organise junior football championships;improve women's football and hold more international friendly tournaments forwomen and allow women's clubs to compete internationally; and organise trainingcourses for coaches and football staff.
Honours for federation
At the general meeting, the VFF and President Tran Quoc Tuanwere presented third-class Labour Orders for outstanding achievements indeveloping Vietnamese football and remarkable contributions in enhancing theposition of Vietnam in the international football arena.
Depute Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuycongratulated the VFF and Tuan.
“We acknowledge the efforts and contributions of the VFF people,its managers, the Executive Committee and President Tran Quoc Tuanindividually," said Thuy.
"These awards are completely worthy of thededication and contributions of the VFF in the development of the nationalfootball which has gained regional and international achievements.
"We hope that the VFF and President Chan Quoc Tuanwill make more efforts in their work. In the upcoming period, not onlyfootball people but also those concerned with culture, sports and tourism musttry harder to overcome difficulties and overcome challenges for betterresults."
Tuan confirmed that the medals were honours for VFF and himpersonally.
These awards would be a great motivation for the federation andits members to strive harder and work more effectively for success andreach new heights in the future./.
VNA
