THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Chu Dinh Nghiem: We hope to have a good game against Pune FC

Hanoi T&T FC

Hanoi T&T FC

Vietnamese champions Hanoi T&T FC, who arrived in Pune earlier for their AFC Champions League Play-Off clash, had the first feel of the Balewadi Sports Complex on Monday.

Having scheduled an early evening session, the south-east Asian side went through their paces for sixty minutes. Hanoi T&T FC takes on hosts Pune FC in an ACL Round-1 play off encounter on Wednesday, 29th January, 2014.

The sixteen-member squad, opted for a light session after travelling from Hanoi to Mumbai via Bangkok before driving down to Pune in the wee hours of Monday morning.

Speaking after a lively session, Hanoi Assistant Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem said, “We had a very long journey… and spent almost a day just travelling. Also we are a little bit tired as we arrived too late in the night.”

Nghiem was impressed by the choice of accommodation provided by Pune FC and added, “It’s good that we are staying closer to the stadium, so we don’t spend more time travelling.”

Speaking about the different weather conditions in India, he said: “The weather is not bad over here. However, adjusting to the food has been an issue. But it’s normal when you travel to another country.”

Signing off, Nghiem said, “Tomorrow, I hope we will be better adjusted to the food along with the weather and other things. So we hope to have a good game on Wednesday.”

Later in the day, Pune FC also had a session.