A few words to Ho Tuan Tai!

(Baonghean.vn)- SLNA – Pride of Nghe An, the theme of the contest says it all about the love of Nghe An people for the four sacred words Song Lam Nghe An. But on this occasion, I would like to send a few words from my heart to player Ho Tuan Tai – one of the young talents of my hometown team.

I knew you from the 2011 U17 Finals in Khanh Hoa when you were the top scorer of that year's tournament. You are a well-rounded striker, with a good physique, effective finishing ability, and the ability to break through and run into space. That's why at the 2012 U17 Finals in Hue, you continued to win the title of the player with the most goals in the tournament with 5 goals. At the 2014 U19 Finals, I, and perhaps everyone else, put all my faith in a "killer" of SLNA that would appear in the future.

But as people often say, football talent is not everything, the gap between the youth team and the professional field is not easy to fill for any player. At this time, in the SLNA first team with the appearance of 2 foreign strikers, the competition is even more fierce and I am struggling to find a place for myself and assert myself.

Not only in SLNA, but in any team, young players need to constantly practice and learn to achieve the best performance and build trust with the coaching staff and fans. I believe that with your ability and starting point, you are capable of becoming a pillar of SLNA in the future, but at this time it seems that difficulties have somewhat made you falter.

Tuan Tai had an impressive debut in SLNA shirt

and the celebration caused a stir in the online community.

You, like many other children of Nghe An, grew up in poverty and hardship. You were even more disadvantaged than your friends when your father died early, and your mother had to work hard to raise two children. I felt extremely excited and touched when your first goal in V.League was dedicated to your beloved mother. However, deep down, I think that you need to overcome yourself and accept sacrifices to achieve more success. There are many examples for you to learn from, I would like to mention Mr. Nguyen Huu Thang - who is considered the "Symbol of Nghe An football".

In the past, Thang's family was also poor, so poor that even though his mother had a heart disease, she still fasted, lied to her children and gave Thang enough food to eat so that he could have enough energy to play soccer. They were so poor that Thang broke the school's glass while playing soccer and his family had no money to pay for it, but he still overcame everything and like me, Huu Thang used his beloved mother as motivation to rise up and assert himself as he is today.

Also growing up in special circumstances, my senior Le Cong Vinh had a difficult childhood filled with hardships, difficulties and even humiliation. But with the will of a man from Nghe An, with constant hard work, he rose up to assert himself and became a role model for a professional player. There are many other examples of overcoming difficulties for me to look up to and strive for...

For me, I have the aspiration to become the pillar of the family, play football to ease my mother's hardships, play football to escape poverty and most importantly, I love football. There must be a basis for Nghe An fans to have such high expectations for me. Born, each person has a different profession, and following the call of passion and the guidance of my cousin Pham Van Quyen, I am determined to pursue a career in football. A career with more risks and challenges than opportunities. I believe that Coach Truong and the team leaders all hope that I will soon assert myself, shine and become a pillar of SLNA because more than anyone else, I am a rough diamond polished by the team itself.

There have been many times when I have felt tired and pessimistic about what I am facing. It could be an excessive training schedule, the inferiority complex of having to constantly sit on the bench or even more unfortunate, injuries. In the path I am on, what I have to face is only very small and completely just the first difficulties. I think that the glory that Coach Nguyen Huu Thang - a very beloved person has achieved is due to the sacrifices and expectations of his mother.

When you are mature enough, you will understand how sacred and immortal the love of a Nghe An mother is. When sweat, tears and even blood fall, think of your mother who worries and wants you to succeed more than anyone else.

For all the people of Nghe An, the tradition of studiousness and the tradition of loving football is a source of pride, even a source of honor when stepping out into the outside world, seeking a living in a foreign land. Nghe An people are known as people with extraordinary courage, knowing how to overcome the harsh fate of the weather and difficult conditions to affirm their own abilities. And through football, thanks to SLNA, people know that Nghe An is the land that produces mothers who are always ready to sacrifice for their sons like the mother of Nguyen Huy Hoang.

Youth does not come twice, a football career is also very short, at some point, whether successful or not, I will look back at this difficult time. Hopefully, at that time, I will never feel regretful because I tried my best, because I did everything with the will and determination of a true Nghe An person.

SLNA is the pride of all Nghe An people who love their homeland. Your efforts, as well as those of many other teammates who are shouldering the responsibility and honor of wearing the yellow jersey, will be a testament to the soul of SLNA. SLNA's past, no matter how golden or glorious, will fade into the past. SLNA's appearance and future all look to you, and to your other teammates. Live and train hard for yourself and your future, perhaps even more so for your family and, to some extent, for your homeland.

I hope that one day, you will affirm your true talent, and follow in the footsteps of your seniors to become a role model for the next generation to follow. Don't look back, don't be discouraged, keep learning and striving! Strive for your passion, be yourself, success will surely come to those who deserve it!

Nguyen Minh Hien

(Hung Tien, Hung Nguyen, Nghe An)