HA NOI (VNS) — Although stopped at the quarter-final round of the AFC Futsal Championship, Viet Nam's performance was said to be its best ever.

Their playing was said to have been better than expected, as Viet Nam showed remarkable progress and completed their target of reaching the top eight.

Former national player Truong Quoc Tuan noted, "Viet Nam had more attacks than in the past. Players worked hard and ran a lot. But the main difference was that they were confident in managing the ball and breaking in to score."

Tuan, who is now coach of the national women's futsal team, was surprised but happy to make note of the Vietnamese players' strong physiques, which were their weak point in the past. They now will play with a busy schedule of four matches in eight days.

"It would be the best tournament for the team, although they still need time to work together," Tuan said.

Tran Anh Tu, head of VFF's Futsal Department, also confirmed that Viet Nam's futsal had reached new height.

"It was not luck for us. It is our new level, under coach Bruno Formoso, who has only worked with us for about one month," said Tu, who is also a member of AFC's Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee.

"In the future, we have to work on a plan which include youth training programmes, for those who will be our next generation. Coming up will be more leagues that will provide regular competition for players to practise and raise their skills, as well as learn from their experience," Tu said.

Their next tournament will be the ASEAN Futsal Championship in Malaysia in September. — VNS