We with player Cong Vinh
I shook hands with footballer Cong Vinh for the first time in his hometown “Red Village” of Vinh City. Not on the football field but on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, July 27, 2007. At that time, Vinh had begun to show his outstanding football talent compared to other players of the same age. That day, Cong Vinh and Huy Hoang visited a special group of wounded soldiers consisting of 15 people, with a disability of 81% or more. The two players also gave the wounded soldiers some money to set up a charity fund.
(Baonghean) -I shook hands with footballer Cong Vinh for the first time in his hometown “Red Village” of Vinh City. Not on the football field but on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, July 27, 2007. At that time, Vinh had begun to show his outstanding football talent compared to other players of the same age. That day, Cong Vinh and Huy Hoang visited a special group of wounded soldiers consisting of 15 people, with a disability of 81% or more. The two players also gave the wounded soldiers some money to set up a charity fund.
Through a warm, sincere, and emotional handshake, I told the two SLNA players about the special nature of the wounded soldiers who are being cared for and nurtured by the Party and the people of Vinh City. Each of them has different serious injuries. Some have lost arms, legs, had their stomachs cut off, their ribs pulled out, their eyes blinded... through the two wars against the French and the Americans.
Before joining the army, they were also passionate and loved football since primary and secondary school. They could play football with each other wherever they met - on a narrow grassy road or in their home yard, the cooperative warehouse yard... They would take 4 sandals or shirts and hats... to make a goal post at both ends, not counting the height, split it in half and start playing, sometimes this class played against that class, the upper village played against the lower village.
The balls were made from withered grapefruits or from a lot of dried banana leaves, rolled tightly, tied with banana strings like a net, and kicked enthusiastically. Going to school, they played, forgetting to ring the drums and gongs to go to class. Herding buffaloes, they forgot to let the buffalo eat the crops. They played all afternoon in the blazing sun, rain, wind... regardless. Sometimes they attracted adults and girls to join the game. Because of their passion, many children were punished by teachers, scolded by parents, and sometimes even "received" whips.
Then the war broke out and we had to take up arms and fight. The ferocity of the war made us forget our passion for being football players in our hometown.
The war ended, many friends sacrificed and "did not return", and we became disabled soldiers.
When the football team of our province was stable, we, the wounded soldiers, were very happy and encouraged our children and grandchildren to audition for the team. Every weekend, we still used our wheelchairs to follow and cheer for the "hometown" players as a way to forget the pain of our injuries...
In that handshake meeting, Cong Vinh also promised us: He will try to practice, improve his techniques and tactics, and together bring the province's football team to many victories, worthy of the trust and love of you all.
Cong Vinh is flying high with SLNA
So, we always follow the SLNA team, consider it a pride. No matter where they play, seeing Cong Vinh and the SLNA players improve day by day, we are very happy. We are also very happy when the team is selected by the National team for some players to join the team, including Cong Vinh and the players selected for the team, seeing everyone play their best.
Winning or losing is the rule of football, sometimes it is like luck; but the most enjoyable thing is to watch the matches where the home team players put all their passion for the flag and the shirt. During the match, the Vinh audience was enthusiastic but there was no "hooligan" scene.
In recent years, I have been following the SLNA team's matches regularly, but I felt like something was missing because Cong Vinh was no longer playing for his hometown team. Then I heard a lot about Vinh's ups and downs in the club and national team, about foreign teams inviting Vinh to join them...
But then Cong Vinh returned to his hometown team to the welcome of his teammates and fans like us.
Often present at Vinh stadium, once I sat in a wheelchair, saw Cong Vinh receiving, dribbling, passing the ball very skillfully. When Vinh had a chance to score, I shouted: Shoot! My right leg stump also kicked, making the wheelchair tilt, some spectators next to me saw that and laughed.
As for me, I saw Cong Vinh and his teammates moving forward.
Dang Sy Ngoc (Trung Dong Ward, Hung Dung Ward)
