The Vietnam Junior side that arrived in Goa in two batches on September 12 and 13 underwent a light first training session at Nagoa. Following the session with 16 of his 22 boys in attendance, Dinh The Nam, the Head Coach of the Vietnam U-17 national football team had a free-wheeling interaction with Basil Sylvester Pinto ahead of the AFC U-16 Championship 2016 to be hosted in Goa from September 15. Excerpts of the exclusive interview:
Q: Your team just had their first training session. How has it been?
A: We just arrived on September 12. We trained at our hotel, and had a run at the adjoining beach. Today was very good for a first training for the team at the ground. The players are very excited after their training.
Q: What kind of training have the boys gone through?
A: It is just the same way like that of the other teams. When you first start training we need to get familiar with the conditions. Secondly, I repeated some tactical exercises which we have been preparing for a long time to prepare for the first game here.
Q: How have the preparations been coming in for this tournament?
A: Before we arrived in India, we had a long one-month preparation. Our team gathered in Hanoi where our players won a tournament in the U-17 Domestic League. Last week, before coming to India we had a six-day training programme in Malaysia and played two games against DPR Korea and Japan respectively.
Q: The last major tournament that Vietnam played was at the AFF U-16 Youth Championship in July 2016. How was the experience?
A: The AFF U-16 Youth Championship in Cambodia was a very good tournament for our players as they played against a lot of experienced sides. Especially, our last match against Australia in the finals, though we lost it, was a very big lesson for the players on how to control the game, and how to control themselves. After AFF, I think the players developed a little bit but also this tournament will be a very big experience for them.
Q: Your team is placed in Group B along with Japan, Australia and Kyrgyzstan. How do you view the competition within the Group?
A: My evaluation of teams in our Group would make Japan the strongest one; they have very good quality players. We have been playing with them many times. They are very strong opponents. Secondly, Australia is a very strong team that we played in AFC U-16. Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam is like so-so, at the same level. We will try our best in each game, what we should do we will tell our players and try to get the best results.
Q: If you could tell us on the style of football your team will adopt…
A: For team style, we just have been building up on that aspect for a long time. We will look to play on short passes, possession of the ball. It will be entirely based on team-work, with everyone being together, playing normal football.
Q: How long have you been the coach of the side and which tournaments have they played under your stead?
A: I have been with the team for two years now and we have had only three international tournaments. In 2015, we had a festival tournament in Japan, and then we also had the AFF U-16 Qualifiers in Cambodia. In July this year, we were back in Cambodia for the AFF U-16 Youth Championship. With each tournament that they play, the players have been gaining experience and developing their game. Right now, they are well prepared for this big tournament (AFC U-16 Championship in Goa).
Q: Do you think you have the resources to make it to the FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held here next year?
A: For the FIFA U-17 World Cup, we did not have a target because we know where we are. The opponents in Asia are very strong ones, so it is little bit difficult for us. We have set ourselves simple targets and will try our best in these Asia games. Our main focus is to give experience to our players when we play against big, strong opponents. That is our target.
Q: What is the target for the forthcoming tournament?
A: Try our best to gain experience for the players.
