From football inspiration to Vietnamese aspiration

The Vietnam U23 team was the first Southeast Asian team to enter the final of the tournament. Despite a 1-2 defeat to Uzbekistan after extra time, they are the champions in the hearts of Vietnamese people thanks to their excellent performance with a strong, brave spirit. They exhilarated Vietnamese fans by defeating Australia, Syria, and Qatar.

The image of millions of Vietnamese people thronging the streets to cheer the U23 players after each game will live forever in the history of Vietnamese football. Fans are calling them their heroes and the pride of Vietnam. 

At a grand ceremony to congratulate the team at My Dinh National Stadium on January 28, singer My Dung said “The players are champions and heroes in Vietnamese people’s hearts. They were very resilient. I’m proud of them.”

Tran Le Trang, a football fan in Ho Chi Minh City says, “It’s a pity they were not lucky enough in the final game. But they brought victory to Vietnam. Vietnam reached the final. It was a legend, a pleasant dream.”

The Vietnam U23 team was conferred Vietnam’s Labor Order, First Class. Head Coach Park Hang Seo received the Labor Order, Third Class. 

At the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said, “Vietnam created a legend for Asian football. Your victory today was not a matter of luck but evidence of your endurance throughout the tournament, your confidence, discipline, solidarity and bravery. 

The Fairplay award demonstrates the Vietnamese people’s modesty and friendliness. The U23 squad are champions in the hearts of 90 million Vietnamese people.”