AFC/VFF Goal keeping ‘A’ diploma coaching course – Module 2 concludes in Gia Lai

The course was led by Mr. Kato Yoshio, a FIFA/AFC/JFA instructor, with the assistance of two Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) goalkeeping coach educators, Mr. Nguyễn Thế Anh and Mr. Châu Trí Cường.

Mr. Kato Yoshio is one of Japan’s leading experts in goalkeeper coach education. He has delivered more than 50 coaching courses appointed by FIFA and the AFC, co-founded Japan’s goalkeeper development programme, worked as a goalkeeper coach with Japan’s FIFA World Cup campaigns, and played a key role in educating Vietnam’s first generation of AFC/VFF Goal keeping ‘A’ diploma goalkeeping coaches.

The course curriculum included theoretical assessments, on-field practical sessions and technical evaluations. Prior to attending Module 2, participants had completed a seven-month period of self-study and assignments following Module 1. The entire curriculum was developed based on the Japan Football Association (JFA) goalkeeper coach education programme, which is currently implemented throughout Japan.

Among those attending the programme were Mr. Lục Văn Dũng, Director of the Gia Lai Provincial Sports Training and Competition Centre and a member of the course organising committee, and Mr. Nguyễn Công Tâm, Head of Communications at Quy Nhơn United FC and also a member of the organising committee. Due to a scheduling conflict, Mr. Đinh Hồng Vinh, General Director and Chairman of Quy Nhơn United FC, who serves as Deputy Head of the organising committee, sent a welcome message to the participants and expressed his appreciation to the VFF for selecting Quy Nhơn as the host venue for the course.

Speaking at the opening of the programme, Mr. Kato Yoshio expressed his pleasure at reuniting with the participants seven months after Module 1. He commended the coaches for their dedication to self-study and their commitment to completing the assignments during the interim period, while emphasising that Module 2 represents a crucial stage in further developing their technical expertise as goalkeeping coaches.

The Japanese instructor also encouraged the participants to maintain their eagerness to learn, actively engage in both the theoretical and practical sessions, and strive to achieve the highest possible standards throughout the course.

Speaking at the opening of the programme, Mr. Kato Yoshio expressed his pleasure at reuniting with the participants seven months after Module 1. He commended the coaches for their dedication to self-study and their commitment to completing the assignments during the interim period, while emphasising that Module 2 represents a crucial stage in further developing their technical expertise as goalkeeping coaches.

The Japanese instructor also encouraged the participants to maintain their eagerness to learn, actively engage in both the theoretical and practical sessions, and strive to achieve the highest possible standards throughout the course.

On behalf of the Vietnamese instructor team, Mr. Nguyễn Thế Anh encouraged the participants to remain committed throughout the five-day course, while reminding them to take good care of their health amid the hot weather conditions to ensure they could complete the programme successfully.

Mr. Châu Trí Cường also noted that the participants had gained valuable opportunities to update their knowledge of modern football in recent months. He expressed his confidence that, through their continued commitment and collective efforts, the entire group would successfully complete the course and further enhance their professional expertise.

This was the second AFC/VFF Goal keeping ‘A’ diploma coaching course to be organised in Vietnam, with Mr. Kato Yoshio once again serving as the lead instructor. Upon completion of the programme, Vietnam is expected to have 12 additional coaches awarded the AFC Goalkeeping ‘A’ Diploma.

The course also attracted two international participants: Badir Valdir (Brazil), goalkeeping coach of Công an Hà Nội FC, and Johann Noetzel (United States), goalkeeping coach of Bangkok FC (Thailand). Their participation further underscored the growing reputation and high organisational standards of the Vietnam Football Federation’s coach education programmes.