Strange stories from V.League to Vietnam National Team

The team won the unqualified style award.

In the 2020 season, SLNA Club was ranked 10th with 23 points. However, coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team had nothing to be sad about because SLNA's young players were honored by the Organizing Committee in the Style Team category. Not only that,SLNAis also the team with the best youth training program in V.League 2020 with 3 youth championships and 2 bronze medals.

SLNA Club does not meet licensing standards but is the most stylish in V.League 2020. Photo: VPF

However, before the V.League 2021, there were 4 clubs that did not meet the professional football criteria: Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, HL Ha Tinh and SLNA. If the reason for Hai Phong and Ha Tinh clubs was not participating in enough youth tournaments, Nam Dinh did not meet the financial criteria, then SLNA did not meet the requirements for facilities.

This is the second year SLNA has not been licensed because the lighting system is not bright enough, along with a number of other criteria, and must participate in the tournament by voting, with special permission from VPF.

Nam Dinh Fan Club is "not active"

After V.League 2020, the Organizing Committee also honored the most active fan clubs including Than Quang Ninh, Hanoi, HAGL, HL Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City. This is a recognition of the love of football of Vietnamese fans.

However, Thien Truong Stadium of Nam Dinh Club with the largest and most enthusiastic fan base in V.League 2020 was not recognized. "Thien Truong Fire Pan" not only made Vietnamese football proud to international friends but also saved a tournament with many problems and mistakes from the referees.

Nam Dinh Fan Club is the most enthusiastic in V.League 2020. Photo: VPF

It is understandable that the Nam Dinh Fan Club was not honored because of many scandals stemming from the burning of flares, which is prohibited, and the messages of protest against the referees, but to say that tens of thousands of spectators who come to the stadium every week cannot be called "active" is quite unfair.

National team captain absent from V.League's best squad

According to V.League Awards,V.League 2020 typical lineupincluding Nguyen Manh, Tan Tai - Van Trien - Santos, Trong Hoang, Van Quyet, Quang Hai, Hai Long - Ngoc Duc Pedro, Cong Phuong.

Typical lineup of V.League 2020. Photo: VPF

Despite being the 2020 V.League champion, Que Ngoc Hai – captain of the Vietnam national team was not named in the typical squad. Last year, Ngoc Hai played 19 matches and it was difficult for any Vietnamese central defender to be more outstanding than him in Viettel’s championship. Even Khac Ngoc and central defender Bui Tien Dung were both absent.

On the other hand, goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh, who is in the above-mentioned typical squad, is not on the list of national team players called up for December 2020 by coach Park Hang-seo.

The player once intended to retire

The recent list of the Vietnam national team includes the return of veteran goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong, who has played for the team for many years and is now 34 years old, as well as striker Nguyen Van Quyet and defender Nguyen Van Viet.

Goalkeeper Tan Truong is a special case in this national team list. Photo: HNFC

These are all players who played well in V.League 2020. However, before being called up for the first time by coach Park Hang-seoNational Team, Tan Truong and Van Viet both intend to retire because they are on the other side of their careers.

It is admirable that these players have not given up on their passion and have been fully recognized. This is an example, a lesson that shows that all the efforts of the players are rewarded accordingly.