After 2 disappointing seasons, the fans of Ho Chi Minh City FC continue to expect to a more positive outlook at V.League 2019. Could coach Chung Hae Seong make the fans forget gloomy past and hope for a bright future?

Targeting a position in top 3 but coach Toshiya Miura and HCMC FC just finished 12th at V.League 2018, the same with where they were in the previous season when they first appeared at the highest league of Vietnam football. It should be remembered that in order to prepare for V.League 2018, HCMC FC made big spendings with VND-billion-worth signings such as Ngọc Thịnh, Phi Sơn, Văn Thuận, e.g. In addition, poor results together with boring playing styles were also explanations for the small number of audiences on stands. Consequently, coach Miura had to left although his contract was still 1 more year valid.

The previous two seasons at V.League are forgettable to HCMC FC, especially at V.League 2018. But with the love for the club, the small number of audiences are still keeping expectation to a more positive season. At V.League 2019, HCMC FC continues to invest in human resources on both the pitch and technical area, proving through their stars such as Ngọc Thịnh, Phi Sơn, Văn Thuận. Besides, the club also lured new faces like Hoàng Thịnh, Thanh Thắng, Tùng Quốc and foreign players such as Than Quảng Ninh’s former striker Joel Vinicius, SHB Đà Nẵng’s former mid defender Epassi Ewonde…on the side of present one Matis – their best strike in the second half of the previous season.

On the coaching bench, HCMC FC continue to lay their trust on foreign elements as the club has appointed not only coach Chung Hae Seong but also his assistants from Korea. Used to work in a V.League season, coach Chung knows well professionalism of Vietnamese players. For his familiarity, HCMC FC’s leaders expect that coach Chung will bring a new vitality to the team, through which gaining trust back and attracting a more crowded number of audiences.

It still needs more time for such expectation to be satisfied as the performance of coach Chung Hae Seong at Hoang Anh Gia Lai was not very corresponding to what is expected, and the Korean coach had not left a significant impression in the playing style of Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

But the fans should believe in coach Chung Hae Seong because at least he has more advantages at the owner of Thong Nhat stadium than at Hoang Anh Gia Lai. That is, HCMC FC possess a seasoned, experienced and quality force in all 3 lines. Thus, in the new environment, coach Chung Haesong is said to be able to help HCMC FC play in a sublimating way like his  countryman Park Hang Seo has made for national teams.

Hoping to Chung Hae Seong’s coaching talent

In 2018 season, Mr.Chung Hae Seong was appointed as the technical director of Hoang Anh Gia Lai. As an extension from the director’s rights, Mr.Chung was also entitled to give out professional determination despite of coach Duong Minh Ninh. With the appearance of Mr.Chung, Hoang Anh Gia Lai fearlessly targeted a position in top 5, but the team played boringly in the whole season. They were evenly pushed into the competition to escape from elimination group at the end of the season, and Mr.Chung was said to be one of the main reasons for this.

However, the Korean coach should not be completely blamed as he had left a certain impression in the team’s strategies. There are several reasons for the arrival of Mr.Chung at HCMC FC, and the main reason rumored is that Hoang Anh Gia Lai could no longer satisfy his USD20.000/month salary. Coach Chung Hae Seong is expected to help HCMC FC complete the unfinished goals of the former coach Miura, and we have to wait until the ball is kicked off.

Source – bongdaplus.vn