Mr. Park Hang-seo: Person of the year

“Person of the Year 2018” is a prestigious title awarded by the Korean Journalists Association to outstanding individuals in 2018, helping to spread a positive image of Korea to the world.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and government officials congratulated coach Park Hang-Seo at the AFF Cup 2018 champion honor night. Photo: Trung Kien

Professional coach

Since signing the contract to lead Vietnamese football in November 2017, Coach Park has led the teams to participate in 4 qualifying tournaments for the 2019 Asian Cup, the final of the U23 Asia Cup, reaching the semi-finals of the 18th Asian Games men's football, and the final of the 2018 AFF Cup.

Except for taking over the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers when they were already in the final stages, in the following 3 tournaments, we made a big splash on the continental and regional arenas. In particular, the 2018 AFF Cup gold medal was a big mark of the Korean coach's coaching talent. No one thought that with young players like Van Duc and Van Hau, U23 Vietnam would do something extraordinary in Changzhou (China), to win second place in the 2018 U23 Asian Cup.

Before Mr. Park came to Vietnam, no expert dared to think that the Vietnam Olympic team could defeat the Japan Olympic team at the 18th Asiad, and then win the fourth place overall. Not only did he win, but he also lit the fire of belief for Vietnamese football and for young players.

Previously, in two consecutive AFF Cups, the Vietnamese team had to stop at the semi-finals. The 2018 AFF Cup had to face famous coaches Sven-Goran Eriksson (Philippines), Milovan Rajevac (Thailand), but Mr. Park Hang-seo knew how to overcome. It was the result of the scientific, methodical and responsible working style of the coach from the country with the leading football in the continent.

Mr. Park Hang-seo touched the championship gold cup - the dream came true. Photo: Trung Kien

Before Mr. Park Hang-seo came to Vietnam, Vietnamese boys and girls seemed to only know Korea through sweet, romantic music and movies. But, since setting foot on Vietnamese soil in November 2017, more than anyone else, Mr. Park is the one who has brought to millions of football fans “Glorious Years” with this Golden Cup. After only 13 months working with Vietnamese football, Mr. Park has become the foreign coach with the best achievements.

Not only that, Park Hang-seo also left an impression with his friendly and approachable behavior; his great team connection from the smallest things. From letting his student sit in business class on the plane, refusing to shake hands with an opponent because the opposing team's player had played dirty with a Vietnamese player, or personally applying a facial mask to Trong Hoang before his wedding day, Mr. Park left a beautiful image of a Korean man.

Only Mr. Park has the courage to leave captain Van Quyet and star Cong Phuong on the bench, and trust Van Duc and Quang Hai. With his ever-changing way of using people, along with his precise substitution decisions, Mr. Park Hang-seo is asserting himself as the best coach in this AFF Cup.

The success of Coach Park Hang-seo has been followed by a large number of Korean people. KBS TV station even decided to buy the rights to broadcast live the matches of the Vietnamese team at the AFF Cup 2018, stopping the show to report the final match. And there, the Vietnamese - Korean audience saw the image of him ending the "brilliant year" of 2018 with his students with the championship gold cup.

The Malaysians did not expect that Mr. Park would use only one tactic for both the home and away final matches. Our team rushed forward to attack right after the opening whistle, scored an early goal, then retreated to defend. There is no doubt that Mr. Park is the "Person of the Year" for Southeast Asian football, the bridge of friendship between Vietnam and Korea./.