Cong Phuong's mother affirms "Vietnam will win" before the match against Iraq

Family of player Cong Phuong. Photo: Huy Thu

Last night (January 20) the victory of the Vietnam U23 team over Iraq U23 brought joy and happiness to fans across the country, including special fans - the family of player Cong Phuong in hamlet 6, My Son commune, Do Luong district.

This morning, when we arrived, Cong Phuong's family was climbing the mountain to collect tree branches and clean up the forest garden to plant new acacia trees. Although it was hard work, everyone was still in a happy and excited mood with the victory of the Vietnamese team last night.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Bay (62 years old) - Phuong's father said that on the afternoon of January 20, the family arranged their work and had dinner earlier than usual to watch football. As usual, many brothers, neighbors and many forest workers came to his house, crowded the 2 outer rooms - where the large TV was placed, excitedly watching the match between the Vietnam and Iraq teams.

Cong Phuong was the player who scored the first goal in the historic match against the Iraqi team. Photo: Internet

Before the match, Mr. Bay and his wife were discussing enthusiastically. Mr. Bay said that Vietnam was a strong team against Iraq, and the outcome was unknown, while his wife, Nguyen Thi Hoa (58 years old), always affirmed that "Vietnam will win". When the match took place, everyone was excited and happy with each move.

According to Mr. Bay, last night's match was a great match, the players and goalkeeper of U23 Vietnam played with all their might and gradually brought the audience many emotions, from excitement, joy to bursting into victory. At his house, every time the match reached its climax or when a Vietnamese player kicked the ball towards the opponent's goal, the villagers stood up, clapped their hands, and cheered loudly.

Mr. Bay excitedly shared: "I like this feeling of excitement, especially when Cong Phuong scored the first goal for the Vietnamese team and the highlight was when Tien Dung scored against the Iraqi team, bringing a 5-3 victory in the penalty shootout."

Cong Phuong's mother continuously received congratulatory calls from relatives and friends across the country. Photo: Huy Thu

Ms. Hoa - Cong Phuong's mother said: "After the match ended, everyone here still sat around drinking tea, drinking coffee and discussing enthusiastically until late at night. Until 3am, many of the family's acquaintances in Hanoi still called to inform that they "couldn't sleep" because of the victory of the Vietnamese team and sent their congratulations, sharing the joy with Cong Phuong and his family."

The football party in the small neighborhood where player Cong Phuong was born and raised had many happy stories. A neighbor who was present at Cong Phuong's house shared: "Last night, when Cong Phuong scored against the Iraqi team, we went out to the garden to catch some ducks, planning to kill them, but we watched the match and were so absorbed in the victory of the Vietnamese team that we forgot to kill the ducks. It's been a long time since Vietnamese football had such a happy match."

Cong Phuong's father does his usual gardening work every day. Photo: Huy Thu

It is known that Cong Phuong occasionally visits home, before the U23 Asian Cup season, he was home for 2 days. Since leaving with the team until now, due to being busy with training and competition, he has not been able to call home, the whole family has only "met" him through the TV screen.

For Vietnamese audiences and fans, the victory of the Vietnamese team over Iraq is a miracle, and for Cong Phuong's family, this is a "double joy", the victory of the national team is also a gift to celebrate his 23rd birthday (January 21).

Mr. Bay shared: “I just heard that right after the victory, the coaching staff organized a birthday party for Cong Phuong, the joy was truly doubled. On this new age, I wish you good health, try to train hard, compete well, and contribute to the country. Everyone is watching you in the upcoming matches.”