Emotional return day of national young referee

Referee Duong Duy Dung will officiate at the 2022 Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children's Football Tournament. Photo: Duc Anh

Twice participated in Nghe An Newspaper Cup

Since childhood, Duong Duy Dung has been known as a boy with a special talent for football. Dung's favorite destination after school is the soccer field. There he can freely show off his talent with his peers. Recognizing Dung's football ability, the coach of Vinh City football team selected him for the U13 team to participate in the Youth - Children's Football Tournament Nghe An Newspaper Cup in 2007.

Dung recalled: “At that time, participating in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup was not only my dream but also the dream of all the young boys in the whole city. It was an honor to compete with friends from other localities in the province. Before the tournament, I could not sleep at noon. I was always excited, preparing clothes, shoes and socks waiting for the opening day of the tournament."

Participating in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup, Dung was assigned by the Vinh City Youth Team coach to play as a defender. Although his physique was not really ideal, with his intelligent, enthusiastic, fiery playing style and good basic techniques, Dung was always a solid support for his teammates. That year, the Vinh City youth reached the semi-finals and won the Bronze Medal of the Nghe An Newspaper Cup in 2007.

Recalling the feelings of that day, Dung said: "Although I did not win the championship, those are memories that I still remember clearly. I consider this an interesting experience for my journey into life."

Returning to the Nghe An Newspaper Cup in 2022, Duong Duy Dung is in a different position. He is part of the referee team that controls the matches of the Newspaper Cup. Although he is a relatively young referee, Dung has received a lot of trust from his seniors.

Duong Duy Dung returns to the 2020 National Youth Football Tournament as a referee. Photo: PV

Dung affirmed: "I always carry a philosophy, when entering the field, I will not need to know the name of the team, I only need to distinguish the colors of the two teams. Off the field, we may know each other, but when entering the game, everything is the same, never let personal feelings interfere with the profession."

For the first time as the main referee in a playground for children and teenagers in the province, Duong Duy Dung was entrusted by the referee team with the responsibility of taking the oath at the opening ceremony. This is not an unfamiliar task, but in the atmosphere of the opening day of the tournament, he felt like he was reliving the old days.

Dung shared: “Usually, before taking the oath in other tournaments, I often have to glance at the billboards and posters to remember the exact name of the tournament. But when taking the oath in this tournament, it is no longer necessary. Because those lines are too familiar to me, since the days when I was a player participating in this playground."

“The Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children Football Tournament is a special and emotional tournament for me. I used to be a player and now a referee for this tournament. Many memories have come back to me,” Dung added.

Duong Duy Dung is the referee who has officiated the most matches in this year's Nghe An Newspaper Cup. The matches he officiated all went smoothly, bringing a comfortable feeling to both teams.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Nghia - Director of SLNA Youth Football Training Center, a member of the tournament's Organizing Committee, commented: "This year, we boldly brought in a team of relatively young referees to control the matches. I especially appreciate the fairness that this team of young referees has shown. After this year's tournament ended, I am very satisfied with them."

The path to refereeing

Starting out as a shuttlecock athlete at the Nghe An Province Sports Training and Competition Center, Duong Duy Dung was not really lucky to become a coach at the end of his career. Wishing to continue to be involved in sports, Dung decided to go to school to become a professional referee. In 2019, Dung registered for the National Primary Football Referee Training Course. After that, he continued to attend the Advanced Football Referee Training Course, also organized by the Vietnam Football Federation. After completing the training course, it was right when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, and all domestic football tournaments were frozen. In order not to lose the knowledge he had learned, Dung tried to study documents to grasp and update new laws and regularly opened youtube channels to hone his professional skills.

In 2022, when the epidemic is under control, Dung will be able to return to the football fields. From amateur matches to non-professional tournaments organized by the province. At the end of May, Duong Duy Dung was able to participate for the first time in the 2020 National Youth Football Qualifiers, held in Nghe An.

Duong Duy Dung participated in the tournament for the first time under the competition system organized by the Vietnam Football Federation. Photo: PV

Dung shared: “This is the first time I have been the main referee in a match organized by VFF, but it doesn't make me too worried. Because I have accumulated a lot of knowledge and experience through amateur tournaments. I think that when I have a firm grasp of the rules, stand in the right position on the field and always concentrate, I will be able to complete the match better."

Dung also added: “The most difficult thing about being a referee is attitude. Don’t think that when you control the match according to the rules, you will receive the approval of the players and coaches. You must have the right gestures, mannerisms, and behavior to convince them when you make a decision. To improve my knowledge and behavior, I often watch the way the world’s leading referees conduct themselves, especially Mr. Collina (an Italian referee). This is truly a model for young referees like us to learn from.”

Duong Duy Dung's career as a "judge" has just begun. But with his burning passion, I believe Dung will soon become famous in the country's big matches.