VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tú: 'We Always Have Faith in Quang Hải'

Before the first leg of the ASEAN Championship 2026 semifinal between Malaysia and Vietnam, VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tú stated his trust in captain Nguyễn Quang Hải, and stressed that unity, the will to fight, and meticulous preparation are key elements for the Vietnamese national team.

On the afternoon of August 14, prior to the Vietnamese team's training session in Kuala Lumpur, VFF Vice President and head of the Vietnamese delegation Tran Anh Tú shared insights on the preparations for the first leg of the ASEAN Championship 2026 semifinal against Malaysia.

Among the topics of concern, Mr. Tran Anh Tú specifically highlighted his confidence in captain Nguyễn Quang Hải, a player who received mixed opinions after his performances in the group stage.

"For the Federation, for me personally, for the whole team, and especially for the coaching staff, we have always believed in Quang Hải. Quang Hải remains a very significant player. A single poor performance is not a basis to judge that the player has declined or become weaker; we must look at the entire long journey," Mr. Tran Anh Tú shared.

According to the head of the Vietnamese delegation, Quang Hải has made important contributions over many years, and coach Kim Sang Sik will make appropriate calculations to help the 1997-born midfielder maximize his abilities in the upcoming matches.

Beyond professional matters, Mr. Tran Anh Tú stated that the VFF has proactively arranged logistical conditions for the team throughout nearly two months of concentration, starting from June 12.

"Preparing for such a long period is truly not easy. From training camps and travel to compete in various countries to accommodation and meals for the team, it is a massive workload," Mr. Tran Anh Tú said.

During the group stage journey, the Vietnamese team had to endure long travel distances. Therefore, the coaching staff and logistics department paid special attention to physical recovery.

"After exhausting and tiring journeys, the team has prepared well to help players recover quickly. For example, today after traveling, the entire team trained in a good atmosphere and with very good physical condition," the VFF Vice President assessed.

Another issue of concern ahead of the clash with Malaysia is the pitch surface in Kuala Lumpur. The Vietnamese team will have to play on a type of grass (cỏ lá gừng) that is not common in the V.League.

According to Mr. Tran Anh Tú, this is not too unfamiliar to the players, as many national team members have played on similar surfaces at Gò Đậu Stadium in Bình Dương.

"Most V.League players have played at Bình Dương Stadium. When competing in a tournament like this, with professionalism, players must get used to various types of pitches," Mr. Tran Anh Tú said.

The VFF and coaching staff have also discussed playing conditions with the players, from the pitch surface to choosing appropriate footwear, in order to minimize disadvantages during the adaptation process.

After the group stage, the four semifinalists had a fairly long break. According to Mr. Tran Anh Tú, this is both an advantage for players to recover their physical strength and injuries, and a challenge to maintain match rhythm and feel.

"If we are in a good rhythm and then have such a quiet break, it will obviously have an impact. Of course, the head coach and assistants will prepare through exercises to overcome that. This is a common issue for all four teams in the semifinals," Mr. Tran Anh Tú commented.

Before the important match against Malaysia, the head of the Vietnamese delegation believes that the team's strength lies not only in professional factors but also in the spirit of unity and the will to fight for the national colors.

"In previous years, we have achieved several results. From 2018 until now, we have mostly reached the semifinals or finals. Whether we win the championship or not, I think the most important thing is the spirit," Mr. Tran Anh Tú emphasized.

According to the VFF Vice President, the fighting spirit, determination to win, and internal unity have always been one of the foundations that help the Vietnamese team maintain consistent results in the regional arena.

"The team's unity is also a very strong factor that helps us achieve good results up to today," Mr. Tran Anh Tú affirmed.

The Vietnamese team will face Malaysia in the first leg of the ASEAN Championship 2026 semifinal at 8:00 PM on August 16 at Kuala Lumpur Stadium.