"The V-League is Vietnam's most professional football environment, but many players are too complacent," Teguramori stated on Hanoi FC's website. "They need more confidence, strive for self-improvement, and broaden their horizons. They can only elevate themselves by setting higher goals."
Several foreign coaches and overseas Vietnamese players share the Japanese coach's sentiment. Goalkeeper Nguyen Filip noted in a podcast that "Vietnamese players don't like direct feedback".
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Coach Makoto Teguramori directs Hanoi FC's training session at My Dinh Auxiliary Stadium, Hanoi on 11/7/2025. Photo: Hanoi FC |
Coach Makoto Teguramori directs Hanoi FC's training session at My Dinh Auxiliary Stadium, Hanoi on 11/7/2025. Photo: Hanoi FC
Cong An Hanoi's coach Mano Polking highlighted the difference between Brazilian and Vietnamese players, attributing it to a lack of domestic competition. "Many Brazilian players have to play abroad to survive and prove themselves, while Vietnamese players are in a comfort zone," Polking told VnExpress.
Former Vietnam national team fitness coach Bae Ji-won also mentioned this as a developmental hurdle. "Vietnamese football has many issues; players need to learn to listen, change, and adapt better to cultural differences," the South Korean expert told VnExpress. "This needs to start from youth training, from the guidance of adults, team leaders, and coaches."
The most recent domestically trained Vietnamese player to go abroad was Nguyen Cong Phuong, who joined Yokohama FC but returned to play for Binh Phuoc in 9/2024. Phuong has had the most international experience, playing for Mito Hollyhock (Japan), Incheon United (South Korea), and Sint-Truidense (Belgium), but without significant success. The same applies to top talents like Nguyen Quang Hai, Doan Van Hau, Luong Xuan Truong, and Nguyen Tuan Anh.
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Nguyen Cong Phuong (right) training at Yokohama FC, Japan in 2024. Photo: HM |
Nguyen Cong Phuong (right) training at Yokohama FC, Japan in 2024. Photo: HM
Teguramori took over Hanoi FC in February from interim coach Hoang Van Phuc. He led the team to 9 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in the second half of the season, finishing second in the 2024-2025 V-League.
Before coming to Vietnam, the 58-year-old coach led Japan to victory in the 2016 U23 Asian Cup and served as assistant coach for the Japanese national team from 2017 to 2018. At the club level, he has coached J-League teams Vegalta Sendai, V-Varen Nagasaki, and Thai League 1 teams Chonburi and BG Pathum United.
Besides observing the limited ambition of most local players, Teguramori noted the high number of draws in the V-League. "I've realized the teams' performance is very unstable, including those competing for the championship or against relegation," he said. "Hanoi FC is no exception. Therefore, we need to strive to reduce instability and build consistency next season."
The 0-3 loss to Nam Dinh at Hang Day Stadium in round 21 cost Hanoi FC control of their destiny. Teguramori acknowledged that tactics alone are not enough, and the team needs to improve match control, mentality, adaptability, and composure.
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Hanoi FC (white) defeated Cong An Hanoi 2-0 in round 24 of the 2024-2025 V-League at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi on the evening of 26/5/2025. Photo: Hieu Luong |
Hanoi FC (white) defeated Cong An Hanoi 2-0 in round 24 of the 2024-2025 V-League at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi on the evening of 26/5/2025. Photo: Hieu Luong
Despite not winning a title, Hanoi FC extended Teguramori's contract, seeing no better alternative. While initially intending to return to Japan, he saw a great opportunity with Hanoi FC as the club prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary (2006-2026).
"I want to reclaim everything we lost, help the team win the championship and reach the continental stage," Teguramori stated. "I think the team needs to enhance its unity. When we become one, good results will follow."
Hanoi FC is currently in a training camp in Hai Phong, preparing for the new season. The team's only notable addition is Brazilian midfielder Hendrio. The capital team's season will begin with a match against Cong An TP HCM (formerly TP HCM Club) in the first round of V-League on 15/8.
Hieu Luong
