The new Japanese technical director of the Vietnam Football Federation has hailed the potential of Vietnamese football and its players’ skill levels and work ethic. 

Speaking at his inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, Yusuke Adachi said: "I want Vietnamese football to go past Japan’s, that’s my dream. Of course it cannot be done in a day or two, but it can in 30 years. I don’t know magic to make this come true immediately but the truth is Vietnamese football has so much potential.

"The players don’t have a physical advantage but are really skilled and fast. Vietnamese are also very hard-working and cooperative, which will help them improve quickly."

Yusuke Adachi (R) shakes hand with Vietnam head coach Park Hang-seo
in his inauguration as VFF's new technical director on September 9, 2020.
Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa.

Vietnam have only beaten Japan once in an official tournament, and that was in the group stage of the 2018 Asian Games under coach Park Hang-seo.

Adachi hoped he could jell well with Park to develop Vietnamese football.

"Coach Park has done wonders for Vietnamese football. He knows about the football scene here more than me, which is a good thing because I will get the information from him.

"It won't be difficult for me and Park to work together because we share the same goal, which is helping Vietnamese football develop."

Adachi was to have taken over in July, but could come to Vietnam only now because of the Covid-19 pandemic. His contract runs until January 31, 2023.

His mission includes putting in place a long-term plan to develop youth football.

Adachi has been a FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Elite Development Coach with the Hong Kong Football Association.

He came to Vietnam in 2017 to train coaches like Le Huynh Duc, Nguyen Minh Phuong and Ngo Quang Truong as part of the AFC Pro.