Head coach Diego Raul Giustozzi expressed confidence in the readiness of Vietnam’s national futsal team as they approach their first match at the 2024 ASEAN Futsal Championship. Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference, Giustozzi emphasized the team’s forward-looking approach despite limited preparation time and a lineup featuring several young players.
“We had very little time to build this squad, but we’re here with long-term goals in mind,” Giustozzi shared. “This tournament marks the start of a new chapter for us, and I’m pleased because it’s a great opportunity for our players to gain international experience against some strong regional teams.”
Addressing the absence of star striker Nguyen Minh Tri, who is sidelined due to injury, Giustozzi stated that he’s focused on the available squad and optimistic about the team’s youthful energy. “Nguyen Minh Tri is an important player for us, but I’m not dwelling on his absence,” the Argentine coach noted. “I have young talents in this roster, and I’m excited to see the team’s rejuvenation in action. We’re here to compete and will explore every opportunity to secure wins.”
Giustozzi also weighed in on the competitive nature of Group A, where Vietnam is grouped with host nation Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and Timor Leste. “Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia are all strong contenders,” he commented. “Each team has an equal shot at advancing to the knockout stage, and ultimately, the championship title. I hope we can take the top spot, but more than just winning, I want us to accomplish much more, and I’m confident we can achieve that.”
The 2024 ASEAN Futsal Championship will be held in Thailand from November 2 to November 10, with nine participating teams split into two groups. Vietnam, drawn into Group A, will face host Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and Timor Leste. Group B includes Indonesia, Myanmar, Australia, and Cambodia. Each team will play a single round-robin format within their group, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semifinals.
Vietnam’s campaign kicks off tomorrow, November 2, against Timor Leste. With an eager squad and Giustozzi’s strategic vision, the Vietnamese team aims to set a strong foundation in their opening match, hoping to carry momentum into the later rounds as they vie for the championship.
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