Nepal coach revealed something extremely surprising after losing to Vietnam: 'Fans were very shocked even though…'

The Australian coach of the Nepal team hopes that former compatriot Harry Kewell will be at the field to watch the second leg of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on October 14 at Thong Nhat Stadium. And of course, coach Matt Ross wants to win against coach Kim Sang-sik of the Vietnam team.

In an interview with Vietnamese press, the Nepalese coach revealed the football philosophy he is applying to the Nepalese team.

From linesman to coach of Nepal national team

*In a previous interview, you said that you started refereeing at a very young age, right?

Coach Matt Ross: I started refereeing when I was around 13 or 14 and progressed quite quickly, until I was officiating in the Australian Second Division, then becoming a linesman in what is now called the A-League - then called the National Soccer League - in the late 1990s. At that time, my dream was to go to the 2002 World Cup in Korea. Everything went quite smoothly, but I was still very young, only in my early 20s, so maybe I was too ambitious and impatient. I was very dedicated but I didn't know what I was missing.

Coach Matt Ross shared that he has a habit of wearing a neat suit when coaching on the field.

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

Coach Kim Sang-sik

Photo: Independence

The two sides are set to face off on October 14.

Photo: Independence

Nepal national team coach regrets red card, more determined in second leg against Vietnam

For various reasons, I was not selected for the 2002 World Cup. That really devastated me, as I had spent many years training, sacrificing and dedicating myself to refereeing. I quit shortly after, at the age of 22 - too young to be a referee. Looking back, I think it was a mistake, but it was that shock that brought me back to the field - this time as a player, then a teacher, and eventually a coach.

While teaching and playing football, I realized that I was not a good player, but I loved football and wanted to stick with it. Coaching came naturally, at first just to live football. I did not aim to reach a high level, I just wanted to participate for the love of it. But over time, I took more coaching courses, my level increased, and then everything happened one after another. Many years later, I am now in Vietnam, coaching the Nepal team - what a crazy journey.

* We saw you personally set up the video analysis system in matches in Vietnam. Is it because of that skill that you still do it yourself until now?

Coach Matt Ross: That's right. In most places I've worked - except Korea - I didn't have a dedicated analyst. Since I learned that skill, I've always done it myself. I like to do it myself because when I watch video, I understand the players better. Before the Vietnam game, I watched the last four or five games of the team. I still think like an analyst. In Korea, it's different, we have a very good team of analysts, but in other places I've maintained the habit of doing it myself.

The Nepalese players played hard in the first leg and actually caused difficulties for the home team.

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

It may sound strange, but in Nepal, every time we lose, the public is still shocked and disappointed. Even though everyone knows that the Vietnamese team is stronger, when Nepal loses, they still criticize. You only have to read social media to see that. For example, in the last FIFA Days, we drew 0-0 with Bangladesh - a team with players who used to play for Leicester City and many players of foreign origin - it was a good result, but social media was still full of criticism. So I can say that the pressure in Nepal is also great, just on a different scale.

*In the match against Vietnam, Nepal players rarely cleared the ball upfield, often trying to pass it from their own field. Is that your philosophy?

Coach Matt Ross: Not really. I’m a pragmatist. If I need to clear the ball into the stands, I’ll tell them to do it. In that game, we didn’t have a striker, so we couldn’t play long. I prefer safety and balance over philosophy. I never bring a “fixed philosophy” to the team and force players to follow it. I look at the players I have and then adjust.

The return leg will still be very difficult for Nepal players.

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

In Frankfurt, I had top-class players who knew what to do - I just had to support them. In Sweden, football is more physical and favours the 4-4-2 formation, so I was flexible. In China, when I coached young players, I taught them many different formations such as 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-5-2 or diamond - so they could understand football more comprehensively. With Nepal, I understood that the players' technique and experience were limited, especially when they had not had a national championship for more than 850 days. Some players were 25-27 years old but had never received formal training. They were learning right on the field, in front of tens of thousands of spectators, in the Asian Cup qualifiers - it was an extremely harsh "class".

Hope compatriot Harry Kewell succeeds in Vietnam

*Do you know the famous Australian player Harry Kewell? He just came to Vietnam to take up the position of head coach of Hanoi FC.

Of course I do. We are from the same generation. When I was refereeing national youth tournaments, he played for the National Sports Academy in Canberra - the place that produced Australia's golden generation like Mark Viduka, Mark Schwarzer and Harry Kewell.

Coach Kewell has officially joined Hanoi Club

He's a legend, and I really wish him success here - like Ange Postecoglou is doing in England. I hope Harry comes to the game on the 14th. If he does, I'll buy him a coffee and talk football for a long time.

*Thank you for sharing.

The match between Nepal and Vietnam will take place at 7:30 p.m. on October 14 at Thong Nhat Stadium (HCMC). In this return match, Nepal is the home team.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-nepal-lai-tiet-lo-dieu-cuc-bat-ngo-sau-tran-thua-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-cdv-rat-soc-du-185251011111845161.htm