Japanese tactician to lead Vietnam women’s national football team

VFF President Le Hung Dung (L) presents the coach’s shirt to Norimatsu. (Credit: VFF)

According to the contract signed between the two sides in Hanoi on March 4, Norimatsu will take charge of the national team with the 2015 AFF Women’s Championship scheduled from May 1 to 10 in Ho Chi Minh City as his first task before competing in the second qualifying round for the 2016 Olympic Games four months later.

VFF President Le Hung Dung expressed his belief in the Japanese tactician’s abilities, pledging that the VFF will continue creating the most favourable conditions for Norimatsu and his players in both training and competition, moving towards achieving the best results at the regional arena and making progress in the continental playground.

In an interview ahead of the signing ceremony, Norimatsu voiced his excitement at the new position and promised to work hard to achieve success with the Vietnam women’s national team, in which he felt a great potential.

‘With my ability and experience, I would like to bring Vietnamese football lovers an energetic team capable of successfully competing against other opponents in both the Southeast Asian region and in Asia,’ Norimatsu said.

Kozo Tashima, Vice President of the JFA, added “Norimatsu used to be a professional footballer and has experience coaching many youth clubs in Japan. I believe that he will bring more good news to women’s football in Vietnam.”

Norimatsu was born in September 1968 in Hyogo province. He was a professional football player from 1990 to 1998 before starting a coaching career in 2000 as assistant to the Gamba Osaka U12 team. Norimatsu became the manager of the Tokishima Vortis U13 squad in 2008. He has been working as Director of the Ryukyu Academy since 2010.