Golden Ball Awards winners announced
Attacking midfielder Huynh Quoc Anh and goalkeeper Dang Thi Kieu Trinh won the Golden Ball Awards at a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 7.
Anh has impressed spectators and pundits alike with his determined and skillful displays for his V-League champion team SHB Danang to receive the men’s award for 2012’s best player.
The award signals the rehabilitation of Anh’s reputation following a three-year ban from football as a consequence of a match-fixing scandal in 2005.
Haiphong’s right winger Le Tan Tai took the Silver Ball Award in recognition of his excellent performance for the national squad while another SHB Danang playmaker Nguyen Minh Phuong was awarded the Bronze Award.
In the women’s category, the Golden Ball Award went to Trinh, who was named as the best female player of the year by the South East Asia Football Federation (AFF) last month.
SHB Danang’s Argentine striker Sebastian Gaston Merlo was honoured best foreign player for the fourth time, making him the most successful foreign footballer in Vietnam.
Song Lam Nghe An defender Tran Phi Son was awarded the best male young player, while Chuong Thi Kieu became the best female young player.
The annual awards are organised by the Saigon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper, with the nominees shortlisted by sport journalists across the country.