HA NOI (VNS)— The Viet Nam Football Federation has accepted the resignation of national team head coach Phan Thanh Hung after its dismal performance at the ongoing ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup.

Viet Nam finished with just one point in Group A of the AFF Cup, failing to make the semis.

The 2008 champions drew with Myanmar 1-1, were beaten by eventual qualifiers Philippines 1-0 and were outplayed 3-1 by Thailand, who topped the group with a 100 per cent record.

It was the first time they had missed out on the semis since their failure in 2004.

The federation in a meeting yesterday also admitted its mistake as it had made the decision that Hung should lead both the national team and V-League team Ha Noi T&T.

The 52-year-old was appointed head coach of the national team in June. In friendly international matches in preparation for AFF Cup, Hung's team had played well but his task when he signed his contract was to put the national team into the Cup final and the U23 team into the upcoming 27th Southeast Asian Games final.

"As head coach, I take fully responsibility," Hung said. "I send my apology to the federation and fans nationwide. For the betterment of the Viet Nam team, I step down."

In a meeting with the training board and head of the Viet Nam football delegation at the cup yesterday, federation members also took full responsibility for the failure of the team.

The federation will hold a meeting next Thursday to decide on whether to appoint a local or foreign coach for the national team.

The team will convene early next month to prepare for the Asian Cup qualifying round.

Federation chairman Nguyen Trong Hy said the team would be led by a provisional coach and changes would be made to the team's structure, which may include promoting the best of the U22 players to join the best of the national team. — VNS