Asiad 18: Closing and Opening
So the 18th ASIAD held in the archipelago country - a sports festival that brought many emotions to Vietnamese fans - has officially ended with proud results and hope for the country's sports in the future.
If at the 17th Asiad in Korea 4 years ago, the entire sports delegation only had 1 gold medal of Duong Thuy Vi (wushu), 10 silver medals, 25 bronze medals and ranked 21st. As for men's football, although it created many surprises, the Vietnamese Olympic team stopped at the round of 16.
And just 4 years later, what Vietnamese athletes have shown and achieved has shown superiority.
Before leaving for the 18th Asian Games,The national sports department has set a target of 3 gold medals. However, the actual results when ASIAD 18 ended, just counting the gold medals, with the number 4, we exceeded the target.
Notably, there were sports that were beyond the prediction of “reaping gold” but unexpectedly brought the highest achievements, bringing glory to the country. In men’s football alone, we passed the quarter-finals to the semi-finals and reached the bronze medal match. Just lacking a little more luck than the other team, the Vietnamese Olympic team stopped, standing at 4th place in Asia.
 After only 4 years, from Asiad 17 to Asiad 18, Vietnamese Sports has achieved many more achievements. |
True to the spirit of sport, this tournament brought many emotions to fans, breathless excitement, irrepressible joy, unexpected tears, and sadness, regret and hope.
In the men's football quarter-finals, when we won against Syria, besides the joy of the victory of the national Olympic team, many fans also shared their condolences with the Syrian players when their country was still at war.
The quiet sharing lines on social networks, with strong influence, have certainly made many people feel proud and precious. It shows a victory that does not stop at sports but also because of the behavior between people, when the past generation of fathers and grandfathers went through war, experienced the loss and suffering of war.
Although our Olympic team did not win in the semi-final and bronze medal match, strangely enough, people across the country still did not hesitate to cheer for the players. The image of a corner of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and some streets in big cities red with flags and flowers, fans loudly singing the national anthem... made many foreigners unable to help but stop, take pictures and wonder whether their team had just won or lost?
And perhaps this seemingly contradictory thing can only be understood by Vietnamese fans. Because they believe that the players did their best for the match, there is no reason why the fans should not understand and stand by them.This is a type of football that fans are looking for, expecting and wanting to continue, so sadness or regret is real and inevitable, just like the natural emotions of each person, but they are not disappointed.
They believe and understand that there are many tournaments ahead waiting like future parties waiting for the opening day, not just this one tournament that is all and end all. Vietnamese football has reached a new height in the Asian region.
 Emotional images that sports have brought to fans. Photo: Nam Nguyen. |
Accompanying the efforts and achievements of the athletes participating in the 18th Asiad are the timely sharing and encouragement of state leaders at all levels, such as the congratulatory message from Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc when the Olympic team won the quarter-final match.
When the Vietnam Olympic team played against the defending champion South Korea, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also sent words of praise for the resilient fighting spirit of the players and coaches of the Olympic team for the country's flag, hoping that the young Vietnamese players "will not be discouraged by defeat".
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien met with the members of the women's football team after returning from the competition. For each achievement of the Vietnamese Sports Delegation, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien immediately made a decision to reward and wrote a letter of congratulations...
The timely encouragement from the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism is extremely meaningful, encouraging the competitive spirit of athletes for the national flag in a foreign arena.
With outstanding achievements compared to the Asian Games 4 years ago and the set targets, although the last competition day of ASIAD 18 has not yet ended, regardless of the subsequent results, VOV, VTC and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism have decided to hold a celebration ceremony. This shows the recognition of the country's sports for the contributions and efforts of the athletes and coaches participating in ASIAD 18.
Images of the streets across the country filled with flags and banners during the 18th Asian Games moved many people to tears, making them proud and showing how great the Vietnamese people's spirit of solidarity, love of sports, sharing, and appreciation for fair play is.
The 18th Asian Games has officially ended and the athletes will return home to the arms and thanks of their fans. With what they have shown, done and achieved, it can be affirmed that this is a successful sports festival for Vietnam.
This success will contribute to suggesting the next steps of the country's sports as well as giving fans confidence and hope for future "sweet fruits".