International relationship – VFF expands cooperation, enhances image

Reputation is increasing

International integration is one of the urgent requirements if Vietnamese football is to develop quickly and strongly in both depth and breadth. This is a basic task that has been paid special attention by the VIII VFF Bureau of Executive Committee with the requirement to promote a clearer role in international football organizations. It is in the right direction that VFF’s prestige in regional and continental football organizations has been significantly enhanced. In April 2019, VFF Pernament Vice President Tran Quoc Tuan was trusted by member organizations to continue to hold the role of AFC Standing Member and was appointed Chairman of the AFC Competition Committee.

In addition, there are 7 members representing VFF participating in AFC functional committees including AFC Competition Committee, Futsal and Beach Soccer Board, Communication Committee, Women’s Football Committee, Disciplinary and Ethics Committee AFC and FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Medical Committee, AFC Club Licensing Committee. In international tournaments organized by AFC, Vietnam’s commissioners and referees have also been trusted to invite on duty. Accordingly, 8 match commissioners, 2 referee assesors, 3 male football referees and assistants, 1 futsal referee, 6 female referees and assistants participating in the management of continental tournaments have proven the image and role of VFF in continental football.

To further expand the international cooperation relationship, VFF leaders also have more specific activities. At the invitation of AFC President, VFF President Le Khanh Hai paid a visit to AFC headquarters in Malaysia in 2019. VFF President Le Khanh Hai also had a meeting with FIFA President at the FIFA House in Paris (France). … The visits and meetings of VFF leaders have contributed to enhancing the image and position of Vietnamese football in the international arena.

Not only in the region and continent, VFF for the 2018-2022 term also promotes cooperative relationships with developed European football countries such as Germany and France to seek opportunities to learn, as well as cooperate to help Vietnamese football have the opportunity to develop stronger. Accordingly, VFF has signed a cooperation agreement with the Bundesliga with an annual plan to send the Vietnamese youth team to Germany for training. The recent training trip of U16 Vietnam in Germany is the result of that cooperation.

Overcoming difficulties through good cooperation

The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a shadow over the world and football was no exception. In the midst of difficulties, VFF has made great efforts to overcome with AFF and AFC to attend and organize regional and continental tournaments in the most complete way. Accordingly, VFF has successfully organized 5 matches in the final qualifying round of the World Cup 2022. VFF has also well organized the group stage of the AFC Cup 2022, in coordination with other units to well organize the international tournaments U19, U21… Despite many difficulties and challenges, VFF is highly appreciated by regional and continental football organizations when fully participating in the official playgrounds of FIFA, AFC, AFF… at all levels from the youth team to the youth team. to the national team, from the field to futsal for both men and women.

The challenge of VFF for the 2018-2022 term was huge when Covid-19 came. Facing many difficulties when international trade was delayed, VFF’s extensive cooperation relationship “want to be friends with all member organizations” has helped Vietnamese football to have training trips to improve their skills. expertise as well as international bravery to achieve success in the international arena. Accordingly, Vietnamese football teams all have quality training trips in countries with developed football backgrounds such as Japan, Korea, UAE, Spain, France, Germany… Through the cooperation relationship at the international level of VFF, the Vietnamese women’s team had a training and friendly trip in Spain, thereby significantly improving their professional skills and reaping the sweet result when they won tickets to the Women’s World Cup for the first time…

Obviously, the VFF for the 2018-2022 term has had the right orientation in international cooperation, thereby helping Vietnamese football have the opportunity to approach and interact with developed football platforms in the world. The effect has been seen very clearly when the national teams of Vietnam have made great strides in terms of expertise. Building on the successes achieved, the new VFF will certainly further strengthen international relations in order to bring the image of Vietnamese football to a new level with the goal of building a strong and stable development.