Vietnamese football and the shame of the 'rear'

(Baonghean.vn) - If you cannot support and encourage the players to compete, please let them devote themselves, because football is a dangerous, risky and ungrateful profession.

The U22 Vietnam team was “convinced” to lose 3-0 to Thailand, a result that broke the hearts of millions of domestic fans. Football is cruel, no one can justify defeat. However, if the fans are sad, the players and coaches are ten times sadder.

Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong apologizes to fans in the stands - Photo: Tuan Huu

Yesterday, midfielder Luong Xuan Truong shared: “We entered the match with injuries on our bodies and a lot of pressure from our Vietnamese teammates. I really find it hard to understand that when we are in such difficult times, the fans turn their backs, even curse a member of the team.”

Not only Xuan Truong, but also long-time football watchers understand that Indonesia has never been an easy opponent for Vietnam. And a draw against this opponent is not a bad result. However, because of a draw, in a context where the situation is still undecided, a large part of public opinion has used Tuan Tai to insult to vent their anger.

This is a bad habit of a part of Vietnamese fans. The players at the age of U22 are just boys growing up. If being given the opportunity to wear the national team jersey is like soldiers holding guns going to battle, then it is clear that the home front has made them agitated. Too much psychological pressure makes them feel like they are wearing lead in the context of their physical strength gradually being exhausted by their opponent Thailand.

Continuing Luong Xuan Truong's sharing: "I hope that the players after playing in the SEA Games will receive more support and trust from fans. Instead of doubting, instead of criticizing. I ask fans to always put their trust in those who are chosen like us, like head coach Nguyen Huu Thang and the coaching staff. Those who always doubt, always criticize, I hope they will have the opportunity to stand in our position."

Hearing this, surely many true Vietnamese fans will sympathize with their country's players more than blame them.

The U22 Vietnam team has been given the best conditions, trusted, cared for and had high expectations. That is a happiness for the players. However, the rejection and insults of some fans towards Tuan Tai and Minh Long are truly sad.

A question arises, is it possible that, as technology becomes more advanced, access to knowledge becomes easier, but the culture of cheerleading is getting lower and lower? The misfortune of U22 Vietnam at this SEA Games once again reminds the writer of the anonymous saying: "If Vietnamese football wants to win, it must change the fans".

Coach Nguyen Huu Thang really feels guilty about the fans' expectations - Photo: Tuan Huu

Coach Nguyen Huu Thang was chosen and was a brave and somewhat reckless person when he accepted the task of "captain" of the national team. Many people firmly believe that the Nghe An coach has limitations in professional matters. Of course, at this point, it is difficult to judge the merits and faults of this coach.

But the way Coach Huu Thang worked hard on his heavy task and the way he acted after the defeat only made many people admire the strategist born in 1971 even more. He took all the responsibility on himself, even for Minh Long's personal mistakes, Coach Nguyen Huu Thang still did not blame the players but said that he had failed to maintain the necessary psychological stability for the players, under the pressure of public opinion.

Singer Hoang Bach, a fan of Vietnamese football, wrote a heartfelt letter on his personal page with the following content: “In this common sadness, I would like to thank you for a new lesson for life. A man with full glory, shame, courage in glory or in failure, even in the darkest moments of his life, he was always steadfast and calm. And most importantly, he is a rare person in this country who dares to take full responsibility for himself, and dares to resign! A position with little salary but many thorns. A position where when successful, few people mention it, and when defeated, storms fall on the head.”

The journey of Vietnamese football at the 29th SEA Games has come to an end, the echo of football seems to no longer be emotions, but worries. The worry that the players are being bullied too much, the worry for the players when facing too much pressure from public opinion, the mentality of the defeated, the defeated. If they cannot overcome, they will be stunted.

Once again we lost to the Thais on the field, but behind the scenes we also lost, because the Thais are not in the habit of blaming individual mistakes. They must have been happy about that victory, but they were even happier when they saw how we treated the National Team. Football is a game, a public sport, fans have the right to judge, but thinking back, have we been unfair to the players?

Trung Kien