Vo Van Hanh, the 'nomad' on the National Team

(Baonghean.vn) - Once again, Nghe An fans witnessed the collaboration between Nguyen Huu Thang and Vo Van Hanh. But this is a collaboration in a new role, a new environment as the Vietnam National Team's coaching staff. Hopefully, with the collaboration between these two "old friends", Vietnamese football will achieve the same results as what they brought to SLNA in the period 1999-2002.

Assistant goalkeeper Vo Van Hanh

In 1999, coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh's team visited Tuy Hoa for training. In a practice match with Phu Yen team, Vo Van Hanh impressed the players, coaching staff and the Nghe An team's management with his talent. Very quickly, the goalkeeper from Phu Yen was invited to Vinh city for a trial, and he was able to wear the SLNA shirt in his first season there.

Being in the ranks of the most successful football team in Vietnam was the biggest turning point in Vo Van Hanh's life. Few people know that, although he is the goalkeeper of his hometown Phu Yen team, his main job is still just a porter to support his family. Phu Yen team is actually just a semi-amateur team. Therefore, Vo Van Hanh plays football only because of his passion and cannot live on the small amount of money from the so-called "salary".

After joining SLNA, Vo Van Hanh threw himself into training without rest. He trained as if, if he was negligent for even a moment, that beautiful present would slip away. Therefore, although he did not start with formal training, with his eagerness to learn and hard work under the guidance of his teachers, Vo Van Hanh has made visible progress. The worry about the gap in the goalkeeper position left by goalkeeper Nguyen Quoc Trung (from Nam Dinh) is no longer a headache for coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh.

In the 2000 season, with the excellence of Vo Van Hanh, SLNA won the National Championship. He was a solid stopper in the goal of the Nghe An team. A series of famous strikers of Vietnamese football at that time, such as: Le Huynh Duc (CATP HCM), Dang Phuong Nam (The Cong), Nguyen Tuan Thanh (CAHN), Huynh Hong Son (CSG)... were all afraid every time they faced Vo Van Hanh.

With a simple but very effective way of catching the ball, the goalkeeper from Phu Yen is brave in aerial ball disputes. In particular, despite having a body of a giant (1m79 tall, 78kg), Vo Van Hanh's reflexes are very quick, along with his ability to read situations quite well, helping him win in 1-on-1 situations. Many, many times, the Vinh stadium audience stood up to applaud his miraculous save.

During his 3 seasons at SLNA, Vo Van Hanh contributed greatly to the 2 national championships of the Nghe An team (2000, 2001). As a testament to his excellence, Vo Van Hanh was voted the best goalkeeper of the 2000 season, was called up to the Vietnam national team to participate in the Tiger Cup in 2000, and won the Vietnam Golden Ball in 2001 (the first goalkeeper to win this title).

Although he is a player who does not have Nghe An DNA, Vo Van Hanh is still very loved by SLNA fans. Every time he returns to Vinh Stadium in the HAGL and SHB.DN jerseys, Vo Van Hanh is still warmly welcomed by Nghe An fans. The reason why he is so loved by SLNA fans is also because of his honest, simple and loyal personality.

Holding his first salary, Vo Van Hanh shed tears. As he confided, it was the largest amount of money he had ever held in his hands. He carefully wrapped up and smoothed out the money he had earned with his sweat and effort. He sent most of it home to his family, keeping only a very small portion for spending. It is known that during his days at Vinh Stadium, Vo Van Hanh lived quite simply, although his income was not low.

Although he only started competing in the National Championship at the age of 25, the achievements of the goalkeeper from Tuy Hoa are not easily matched. Vo Van Hanh won the title with SLNA (2000, 2001), HAGL (2003, 2004), SHB.DN (2009); 1 National Cup; 4 times won the National Super Cup title. Now, returning to football in a new position, hopefully with his talent and charm, Hanh "Midas" will help the Vietnam National Team win many glories in the near future. Midas is the king who turns whatever he touches into gold, so people have the right to hope that this time Van Hanh and the Vietnam National Team will have the opportunity to wear the gold medal.

Le Tien Hung