Outpouring of congratulations and rewards to U23 VN football team

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc phoned in to congratulate the national team on their superb win against Qatar that has electrified the nation and sent Vietnam to the final of the U23 Asian Championship.

The PM said he was moved at the indomitable spirit of the young players and emphasised that the victory was highly significant to the country and its footballing history.

At an official meeting later that day, PM Phuc said that he still felt elated and had to suppress his emotions to speak before the audience.

The Presidential Office has also proposed awarding an order to the Vietnamese U23 team for their contributions.

Meanwhile many local companies and banks have announced huge rewards in cash, products and services for the Vietnamese team members, worth billions of Vietnamese dong, to congratulate them on their historic win.

Automaker Truong Hai has offered to award a car to head coach Park Hang-seo, while Vietnam Airlines has promised to cover the entire cost for the relatives of Vietnamese players flying to China for the final match.

Following Vietnam’s resounding win, millions of fans took to the streets and public spaces across the country to celebrate by waving flags, beating drums, blowing horns and singing songs.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam also joined the cheerful crowd in the capital of Hanoi.

Such a celebratory mood has not been seen since 2008 when the national team were crowned champions at the Southeast Asian football tournament against regional rivals Thailand.

Football fans from across the region sent congratulations to Vietnam U23 after they earned a historic place in the AFC U23 Championship final.

Vietnam bravely beat Qatar 4-3 in a penalty shootout following an extraordinary 2-2 draw at the end of extra-time. Nguyen Quang Hai’s double helped the Vietnamese side tied 2-2 with the Qataris after 120 minutes. In the following penalty shootout, goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung stopped efforts from Qatari Ahmad Moein and Sultan Al Brake to seal the victory.

International fans join Vietnamese football supporters in sending nonstop applause to head coach Park Hang-seo’s squad.

Vietnam in jubilation after historic football win

Millions of Vietnamese football fans swarmed the streets and public spaces in droves to celebrate the national U23 team’s impressive win against Qatar in an Asian championship semi-final on January 23.

The carnival atmosphere could be seen in almost every corner of Vietnam where people have a strong passion for football but have usually found themselves disappointed by the national team’s poor performance in the past.

In large cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, streets in the central districts were filled with a sea of red as Vietnamese national flags were waved frantically by both the dedicated and occasional fans.

Many streets were cramped with people from dusk until late at night but no-one seemed to care.

Horns, drums and even saucepans were all used to celebrate the victory while the portraits of head coach Park Hang-seo were held aloft as a thank-you to the man dubbed the “Guus Hiddink of Vietnam”.

Meanwhile, police officers were working hard so that everyone could revel in a safe and secure environment.

Vietnam’s U23 win praise from Japanese media

Japanese newspapers praised Vietnam’s U23 after the team made impressive victory against Asian powerhouse Qatar in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship held in China on January 23.

The NHK national public broadcasting organisation wrote an article about the match publishing images of football fans across the country flocking out to streets with the national flags in their hands to celebrate the victory.

In the semi final, Vietnam beat Qatar 4-3 in the penalty shootout after finishing the thrilling match 2-2 in official time and no goals in extra time to play the final match against Uzbekistan on January 27.

Other news sources in Japan including the Kyodo News Agency, Nikkan Sports, Sankei Shimbun and Jiji press, along with a number of websites, also ran articles about Vietnam’s win over Qatar.

Japanese media also noted that in the final match of the AFC U23 Championship, Vietnam will face Uzbekistan, which thrashed Japan 4-0 in the quarter final. Uzbekistan also defeated the Republic of Korea 4-1 in the other semi final lasting for 120 minutes.

Vietnam became the first Southeast Asian country to enter the final of the AFC U23 championship.

The team qualified for the semifinals of the championship on January 20 thanks to a dramatic victory over Iraq.

Vietnam lost only to the Republic of Korea in a qualifying match where they scored first, before knocking out powerhouses Australia, Syria and Iraq.

Nhan Dan/VNN