An interesting exchange with former player Le Cong Vinh and young players of Song Lam Nghe An

Important stepping stone in career

On the afternoon of June 8, at the press conference to inform about the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children Football Tournament, there was an exchange program with the guests: Mr. Nguyen Dinh Nghia - Deputy General Director of Song Lam Nghe An Sports Joint Stock Company; former player Le Cong Vinh and young SLNA players Dang Van Lam and Nguyen Van Bach.

The exchange took place in a lively atmosphere with many interesting questions for the guests. First, answering the question of how the players at SLNA Club selected through the Youth - Children Football Tournament Cup Nghe An Newspaper have developed, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Nghia affirmed that most of these players have developed their abilities, strengths and have a worthy position in the Club. From there, they have an important position in the Club, including in the National Team, bringing glory to Nghe An. This answer added excitement and enthusiasm to the young players present in the audience.

Scene of the exchange. Photo: Duc Anh

The interaction with national team player Le Cong Vinh was of special interest to the young players and fans. Because Cong Vinh is considered one of the best players in the history of Vietnamese football, and holds the record for scoring the most goals for the National Team with 3 times receiving the Vietnam Golden Ball award in 2004, 2006, 2007.

In 2020, Cong Vinh was voted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as one of the five legends of Southeast Asian football. To attend this exchange, he traveled a long way from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh City, in time to cheer for this year's Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament.

According to Cong Vinh, he was one of the first players to participate in the Youth - Children's Football Tournament of Nghe An Newspaper Cup and still has many memories. Among them, the most memorable memory is the first time he came to Vinh, stayed in a hotel, ate delicious food and met many friends.

At the meeting, player Le Cong Vinh highly appreciated the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children Football Tournament. He confided: “Thanks to the Nghe An Newspaper Cup, I have had the football career I had and am where I am today. And not only me, many SLNA Club players have grown up from this tournament, and from there have made great contributions to the football of their homeland and country.”

Former player Cong Vinh shares about his path to becoming a professional player. Photo: Duc Anh

Belonging to the younger generation, Dang Van Lam - an important striker of SLNA Club, once won the runner-up prize of Nghe An Newspaper Cup in 2010 with the Do Luong children's football team.

Like his senior Cong Vinh, Van Lam expressed his pride in growing up from the Youth - Children's Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup, which was an important stepping stone to becoming a professional player. At the same time, player Nguyen Van Bach also affirmed that Nghe An Newspaper Cup was the premise for him to develop his career, towards becoming a professional player like today.

“Don't be self-conscious when you see yourself as weaker”

The exchange and conversation with the players really ignited the passion and desire for football of the young players participating in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament. The most inspiring person was player Le Cong Vinh when he told about his journey from the Youth - Children's Tournament to a professional player.

He shared: “At the end of the 1996 tournament, there were 25 players selected by SLNA Club scouts, among which, he was the weakest. But then, with will and passion, he determined to practice hard, gradually assert himself and gain a position in the Club. Saying this, I want to advise you not to be self-conscious, the important thing here is to nurture will and aspiration, from there you will find a suitable path for yourself…”.

The exchange session brought interesting things to the young players. Photo: Duc Anh

A young player from the mountainous district of Que Phong asked national team player Le Cong Vinh about his ability to become a professional player. The former national team player gave an interesting answer that was applauded by everyone.

According to Cong Vinh, to become a football player, one must first have football talent, hard work and determination to perfect skills. And equally important is to practice ethics and character to become a well-rounded player and a good person.

Along with player Cong Vinh, players Dang Van Lam and Nguyen Xuan Bach breathed passion, will and aspiration into the young players. The exchange session was really interesting and useful before the matches started.

Some pictures at the meeting:

Former national team player Le Cong Vinh signs autographs for young players participating in the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament - 2023. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Former national team player Le Cong Vinh signs autographs for young players participating in the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament - 2023. Photo: Duc Anh

Young player of Song Lam Nghe An Dang Van Lam signs autographs for fans. Photo: Thanh Cuong

The teams participating in the tournament took souvenir photos with famous players and the tournament's Organizing Committee. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Photo: Thanh Cuong

Former national team player Le Cong Vinh and SLNA players took souvenir photos with the tournament's Organizing Committee and officials and reporters of Nghe An Newspaper. Photo: Thanh Cuong