Former SLNA player Pham Hai Nam: An excellent right-back at one time
(Baonghean.vn) - According to former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh, Pham Hai Nam is one of the best right-backs he has ever coached. In addition to his excellent physical condition, the former SLNA player also plays very enthusiastically, passionately, and attacks and defends rhythmically like a machine.
Dream start
Pham Hai Nam was born in 1982 in Mau Duc commune, Con Cuong mountainous district (Nghe An). When he was 6 years old, Pham Hai Nam's family moved to Vinh to settle down. Thanks to that, Pham Hai Nam had the opportunity to become a professional football player. That was a big turning point in the life of the former U23 Vietnam player.
That does not mean that Pham Hai Nam's path to the "king sport" was all smooth sailing and luck. It was not until nearly 10 years later, after moving to Vinh City with his family, that Pham Hai Nam applied to practice at SLNA's training center, as an auditor (not an official student).
However, before the 1998 National U16 Finals (now the National U15 Finals), held at Vinh Stadium, because the SLNA U16 team was missing the right-back position, the coaching staff had to register Pham Hai Nam on the team's roster. Surprisingly, Pham Hai Nam played very well, contributing to helping SLNA U15 win the championship.
 |
| Pham Hai Nam in SLNA shirt. Photo: FBNV |
The reward for Pham Hai Nam was an official position in the SLNA U18 squad to compete in the 1999 National U18 Finals (now the National U19 Finals). At the tournament held at Ha Tinh and Vinh stadiums, Pham Hai Nam continued to play impressively and contributed significantly to the team's championship achievements. The right-back position in SLNA's youth teams, from U19 to U21, was always held by Pham Hai Nam.
Exactly 1 year later, at the 2000 National U21 Finals, Pham Hai Nam was again used by coach Hoang Dang Hong. It was no surprise that Pham Hai Nam was one of the best players of U21 SLNA, the team that won the championship convincingly. In the final match, the young team from Nghe An successfully came from behind to beat U21 Long An 3-2 (0-2 down).
 |
| Pham Hai Nam in Hoa Phat Hanoi shirt. Photo: FBNV |
Unexpected ending
Although he had not been promoted to play in the SLNA first team, at the end of 2002, Pham Hai Nam was still called up by former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh (who was then acting head coach) to join the U23 Vietnam team, preparing for the 22nd SEA Games. Surprisingly, in the 2003 season, Pham Hai Nam was not registered by SLNA to play and had to pack his bags and go to Da Nang on loan.
With his excellent performances at Chi Lang Stadium, Pham Hai Nam was called up by former coach Alfred Riedl to the U23 Vietnam squad to participate in the 22nd SEA Games, a tournament hosted by Vietnam. Unfortunately, Pham Hai Nam was only a backup option for his senior Nguyen Minh Phuong in the right-back position, despite the fact that at the 2003 LG Cup, Pham Hai Nam was the number 1 choice of the Austrian strategist.
Returning from the 22nd SEA Games, Pham Hai Nam was immediately promoted by SLNA to the first team to compete in the 2004 season, alongside Duong Hong Son, Nguyen Huy Hoang, Ho Thanh Thuong, Nguyen Cong Manh, Nguyen Tan Thinh, Phan Nhu Thuat, Pham Van Quyen... And of course, the right-back position of the Vinh team was assigned to Pham Hai Nam. A decision that was not surprising from former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh.
 |
| Pham Hai Nam is in charge of youth training at Hanoi Club. Photo: FBNV |
Not long after the first season at Hang Day Stadium, the former SLNA player suffered a very serious injury (herniated disc). After a trip to Singapore where he "lost money but still had the disease", Pham Hai Nam was taken to Da Nang by Hoa Phat Hanoi for treatment. It was thought that with such a serious spinal injury, Pham Hai Nam would have to leave the field at the age of 26. Fortunately, the treatment process achieved quite good results, and after a while, Pham Hai Nam returned to the capital team's jersey, but his performance was no longer as good as before.
At the end of the 2011 season, Hoa Phat Hanoi announced its dissolution, and Pham Hai Nam transferred to Hanoi Football Club (the team that took over most of Hoa Phat Hanoi's personnel). However, Pham Hai Nam only stayed with Hanoi Football Club until the end of the 2012 season, then officially retired from the field. It can be affirmed that injuries have made Pham Hai Nam no longer himself at the peak of his football career. If he had not suffered a spinal injury, Pham Hai Nam would likely have continued to play at the top level for many more years.
Recently, Pham Hai Nam has been working at the T&T - VSH Youth Football Training Center (the second facility of the T&T Hanoi Youth Football Training Center located in Cua Lo town). At the moment, Pham Hai Nam is in the capital to lead the Hanoi U15 team, preparing to participate in the 2020 National U15 Finals./.