The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF)-organised Cup which is sponsored by the Vietnam Export-Import Bank (Eximbank) is expected to put Vietnamese players’ skills to the test before the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games begins in Indonesia next month.

Twenty-six national players coached by Falko Goetz were called in last month for training in preparation for the tournament. The German coach introduced special exercises to increase the players’ physical strength and durability.

U23 Vietnam participated in an international football tournament in HCM City where they lost 1-0 to a students team from the Republic of Korea, were held to a 2-2 draw to Qatar-based Aspire Academy team and defeated U23 Singapore 2-1.

The tournament was a chance for Goetz to test his tactics and his players’ skills, says VFF Vice President Pham Ngoc Vien.

Shortly after the tournament, the national players moved to the Central Highland province of Gia Lai and then to Hanoi for continued training.

Goetz called in Bui Xuan Hieu and Ha Minh Tuan who performed well at the recent Thanh Nien U21 International Football Tournament. Unfortunately, Tuan could not participate in the line-up due to injuries.

Goetz is expected to make full use of the VFF-Cup to perfect the players’ tactics and formation in the lead up to the 26^th SEA Games in Indonesia. Twenty-two best players will be chosen for the national line-up to compete at the Games.