Put your faith in the "golden generation"!

(Baonghean) - Vietnamese football has seen at least three generations of talented players who have been hailed by fans as the "golden generation." And now, young stars from the HAGL Arsenal JMG Football Academy, SLNA Club, and several other clubs are producing the fourth golden generation of Vietnamese football…

The first golden generation consisted of stars from the 1980s, when Vietnamese football mainly competed against teams from the socialist bloc such as the Soviet Union, China, Hungary, etc. Prominent names from that era brought pride and excitement on the field to millions of hearts across the country, such as Cao Cuong, The Anh, Vuong Tien Dung…; The second golden generation left a strong mark on Vietnam's integration into the international community, including the return of Vietnamese football to the Sea Games after many years of absence. That period, from 1991 to 1999, featured stars like Hong Son, Van Sy Hung, Le Huynh Duc, Huu Thang, Tran Cong Minh, and Nguyen Huu Dang… The third golden generation, with a core of talented players from the SLNA training academy, had an impressive start, leading the Vietnam U16 team to 4th place in the Asian Championship in 2000. This marked a new milestone for Vietnamese football on its path to conquering the Southeast Asian đỉnh cao (peak/peak), and in subsequent Sea Games and AFF Cup tournaments, the Vietnamese national team was always one of the contenders for the championship. The highest achievements of this third golden generation surpassed those of their predecessors, with multiple appearances in the Sea Games and AFF Cup finals, including one Southeast Asian championship title (2008) and one quarter-final appearance in the Asian Cup (2007). In particular, in 2003, the 1-0 victory against the South Korean team (who had just finished 4th in the 2002 World Cup) in the qualifying round for the 2004 Asian Cup, thanks to a goal by the prodigy Van Quyen, shocked Asian football fans. Even now, when mentioned, the names of players still evoke nostalgia in fans, such as: Van Quyen, Nhu Thuat, Quoc Vuong, Duong Hong Son, Tan Tai, Minh Phuong, Cong Vinh…

Although they haven't brought home any prestigious gold medals at major international tournaments, these generations of players have brought pride and intense emotions to millions of hearts across the country, and have showcased a positive image of Vietnamese football to the world. Therefore, the fact that these three generations of players are honored by fans as the "golden generations" is entirely deserved.

When the third golden generation of Vietnamese football entered a period of stagnation, with five consecutive years (2009-2013) without any significant achievements, and neither the national team nor the U23 team making it past the group stage in regional tournaments, the talented players from the HAGL Arsenal JMG Football Academy have become a "lifeline" in recent years. With their modern playing style and excellent technique, thanks to systematic training in the European football style, the U19 HAGL Arsenal JMG players have not only made a strong impression and achieved good results in regional and international tournaments, but have also inspired young players in other clubs across the country to shine. Many young talents from SLNA have also set an example, striving to prove themselves.

A moment from the U19 HAGL vs. U21 Sydney match.

Through recent international youth football tournaments, players from the HAGL JMG Academy's U19 team, as well as many U19 and U21 players from SLNA and other clubs, have shown that they are the new hope for Vietnamese football. In fact, what these young stars have demonstrated suggests that the fourth golden generation of Vietnamese football is emerging. This generation includes: Cong Phuong, Dong Trieu, Xuan Truong, Van Toan, Van Son, Tuan Anh, Hong Duy, and Thanh Hau from HAGL Arsenal JMG; stars who have matured from SLNA such as Ho Tuan Tai and Ho Phuc Tinh; and senior U21 players like Phi Son, Hoang Thinh, Manh Hung, Ho Khac Ngoc, and Ho Sy Sam… and a number of young players from clubs across the country.

The difference between the fourth golden generation and the previous three is their more modern playing style, greater confidence, and arguably superior technique. This has been demonstrated in matches against strong teams from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, China, and even youth teams from famous European clubs like Arsenal, Tottenham, and AS Roma. The fact that young Vietnamese players defeated many top Southeast Asian opponents like Thailand and Singapore, and competed on equal footing with strong Asian teams such as Japan, China, Australia, Iran, and European teams, has opened up new prospects for Vietnamese football. It is believed that in the not-too-distant future, after accumulating more experience, our new golden generation will not only convincingly win the Southeast Asian championship but also elevate Vietnamese football to a continental and global level.

Hoang Hao