Toshiya Miura of Japan penned a two-year contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) at a ceremony in HCM City on May 10 to coach the national football squad and the national Olympic team.

Born in 1963, Miura began his coaching career at Vegalta Sendai of the J-League in 1997 and then five other J-League clubs.

He had led Japanese clubs to play more than 100 games at J-League 1, Japan’s top football division, and is considered a young talented coach in the country.

The Japanese expert will begin the coaching job in Vietnam on May 20. He will oversee V-League matches to select best players for the national line-up, and his first real test will be AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 due to take place later this year in both Vietnam and Singapore.

VFF is likely to select another Japanese expert in charge of technical affairs for the national teams. VFF expects Japanese experts, with a wealth of experience they have, will help Vietnam regain its reputation after a period of stagnation.

Talking to the media after signing the contract, Miura said although he knows little about Vietnam’s football, the country has potential for football development, citing the people’s great passion for football as an example.

“Coaching the national football team is a great challenge for me, and I will do my best to fulfill my task,” he said.
The same day, Honda Vietnam, a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer, signed a contract with VFF to become the main sponsor of the national football squad, the Olympic team, and the national women’s football team.

According to VOV