"The Savior!"

(Baonghean) - On the Can Tho pitch recently, Mr. Vu Quang Bao once again demonstrated his role as a "savior" by helping this Mekong Delta team almost certainly avoid relegation. People call this coach from Thai Hoa town (Nghe An province) a "lucky charm" because from Military Region 4 to Quang Nam QNK and now Can Tho XSKT, he has been a hero everywhere he has played.

After their defeat against SHB.Da Nang at Chi Lang Stadium, XSKT.Can Tho is now the team most at risk of relegation, facing tough opponents like SLNA and Dong Thap, a team also struggling in the relegation battle, in the final rounds. In fact, when inviting Coach Vu Quang Bao to the team as Technical Director, the XSKT.Can Tho leadership hoped that, in this most difficult time, the coach from Nghe An would make sound decisions to save the team from relegation.

Vu Quang Bao (in white shirt) leading his team to play at Vinh Stadium. Photo: D. Dung

"Wishes come true." After a disappointing match at Chi Lăng Stadium, Technical Director Vu Quang Bao made timely adjustments in the game against SLNA, leading his team to an impressive victory. Despite speculation about the match being a "give-and-take" affair, XSKT.Cần Thơ's win was acknowledged, and clearly, Vu Quang Bao's role was significant. For the third time in his career, Coach Vu Quang Bao has made a major impact, further solidifying his reputation.

Although passionate about football, Vu Quang Bao came to the sport through a different path, as if by "destiny." Back then, when he joined the army, his talent was discovered, and he was selected by his commander to join the team competing in the military league. Showcasing his aptitude, Vu Quang Bao later joined the football team of Military Region 4 and later The Cong and SLNA. In his career, Vu Quang Bao made the biggest mark during his time playing for the Nghe An team. He captained SLNA for eight years and was involved in extremely important historical periods of the team.

In the early 1990s, Vu Quang Bao left football and returned to his hometown to focus on economic activities, believing he needed to pay more attention to his family. However, more than a decade later, when Military Region 4 established a football team and lacked a leader, the leadership contacted him, and Vu Quang Bao packed his bags and went to Vinh to take on the role. His time with Military Region 4 propelled Vu Quang Bao's name to prominence. From an unknown team, he led them to a First Division championship and a miraculous promotion to the professional league. Many players, under his guidance, matured and made a name for themselves, such as Dinh Luat, Hai Anh, and Thanh Van…

Later, due to changes in the system, the Military Region 4 team no longer existed, but in many different places, Coach Vu Quang Bao still demonstrated his qualities. I remember in 2013, after deciding to rebuild football from the ground up, QNK.Quang Nam invested heavily to bring in Coach Nguyen Van Thinh and a number of other talented players to play in the First Division. However, for various reasons, the team did not achieve the desired results and drifted further and further away from its promotion goal. Midway through the season, Coach Vu Quang Bao was invited to take over. Sitting in the "hot seat," Vu Quang Bao demonstrated his abilities very well, leading the team to victory after victory. Through personnel adjustments, Coach Vu Quang Bao transformed a previously disorganized QNK.Quang Nam into a very united and thriving team for the remainder of the season.

And unexpectedly, that season, QNK.Quang Nam won the First Division championship one round before the end of the season and earned the right to play in the V.League. This achievement delighted the people of Quang Nam, and at that time, Vu Quang Bao was like a hero, praised profusely by the local people.

Coach Vu Quang Bao's strength lies in his ability to unite players to overcome difficulties. Therefore, he is very suitable for teams with genuine goals and aspirations. That's also why XSKT.Can Tho invited him to work for them, and in reality, Vu Quang Bao has essentially accomplished what the team expected. With a 5-point lead over Dong Nai with only two rounds remaining in the 2015 V.League season, Coach Bao's "mission to rescue" XSKT.Can Tho from relegation is essentially complete.

Vũ Quang Bảo entered football by chance, but with his talent, he has increasingly proven himself and become a highly regarded "strategist" in the current V.League.

VINH LIEM