Norimatsu Takashi has officially become the head coach of the Vietnam national women’s football team after a signing ceremony was held in Hanoi on March 4.

Japanese coach Norimatsu Takashi.

The two-year contract with the Japanese coach was one of activities listed on the football strategy cooperation carried out between the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the Japan Football Association (JFA).

Takashi’s presence in Vietnam is also a step towards boosting the quality of the women’s team, which figures on the VFF’s agenda for the 2014-18 period.

“The women’s team has displayed remarkable achievement recently and received strong support from local fans and state leaders. To start a new chapter in its development, the VFF has invited Norimatsu Takashi to help us,” said VFF Chairman Le Hung Dung.

“His main duty will be to strengthen the team, advise and support the VFF to organise a better national tournament, as well as train younger players,” Dung pointed out.

Takashi, 46, did not make any promises, but said he will demonstrate his abilities through what he does in the future.

He said he wants to build up a strong, motivated and vivid squad and the women’s team will be among Asia’s leading teams.

Takashi will start his job on March 5 in Ho Chi Minh City, where he will watch the national seven-team championship’s first leg at the Thong Nhat stadium.

He will have several months to implement his plan before he leads the national team at the ASEAN Women’s Football Championships in May and then at the Olympic qualifier in September.

This is the first time Takashi, who played as a striker during his sporting days between 1984 and 1998, has taken charge as a manager of a women’s football team.

After retirement, Takashi started working as a coach for youth squads at the Gamba Osaka, Vissel Kobe, Tokushima Vortis and Tucano.

He is currently Director of the Ryukyu Academy of Japan.

Source VNA