Que Ngoc Hai: 'The Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament is the launching pad that brings me to success in my career'

After success at different levels, Que Ngoc Hai decided to return home. He hopes that with the experience he has gained, he and his teammates will help SLNA regain its former position. Photo: Duc Anh

Make your dream come true

Few people know that the player wearing the number 3 jersey of Vietnam was born into a family with difficult circumstances. At the age of 5, Que Ngoc Hai had to leave Dien Chau to follow his parents to Vinh City to earn a living. The greatest joy of this steel central defender at that time was to be friends with the ball. And the football field was his favorite destination after school.

In the summer of 2003, Que Ngoc Hai was selected to join the Vinh City Children's Football Team to participate in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children's Football Tournament. It was like a dream come true for the central defender born in 1993.

“At that time, participating in the Bao Cup was not only Hai’s dream, but also the desire of all other children in the whole province. It was like a festival, the cheers of the fans brought children like us many emotions that are difficult to describe,” Que Ngoc Hai recalled.

The Vietnamese player added: “Another very important thing is that the young players will have the opportunity to catch the eye of the scouts at Song Lam Nghe An. This is the closest door to bring us to the world of professional football. We can soon realize our dream of becoming football stars in the future.”

The Vinh City Football Team played quite impressively that day, with Que Ngoc Hai playing in the defender position. He was the mainstay that brought the Vinh City Children's Team to the runner-up position.Youth - Children Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup2003.

Que Ngoc Hai recalled: “The memory I remember most is the cheers from the stands of the fans. Those were the sounds that helped the young strikers become more passionate and excited in each phase of the game. That was also the first time I felt the joy of bursting when my team won a ticket to the final match. And the endless sadness when I lost the championship in the last match.”

Recalling those days, the steel center back of the Vietnam national team still feels emotional. Although the Vinh City Children's Football Team did not win the championship that day, experts highly appreciated the ability of center back Que Ngoc Hai. With that performance, Que Ngoc Hai was recruited by the scouts of Song Lam Nghe An to the club's youth training center.

Que Ngoc Hai shared: “At that time, I was not aware of my future direction. However, being able to join Song Lam Nghe An, playing football and being able to fulfill my dream of becoming a professional football player made Hai extremely proud and happy.”

The Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children Football Tournament is the launching pad that brought me to success in my career. Photo: Chung Nguyen

Hai added: “After I grew up, I realized that the Youth - Children's Football Tournament of Nghe An Newspaper Cup was the launching pad that brought me to the world of professional football. I hope that the players who are competing in this tournament today will give their all, practice hard to give the audience exciting and beautiful matches. That way, they will have the opportunity to be selected to major football centers across the country.”

A full life

After showing his talent at the youth level of Song Lam Nghe An, Que Ngoc Hai was promoted to the first team by the club's coaching staff. With his solid, intelligent, calm playing style and good attacking passes, he left his mark in the eyes of the coaching staff and became an indispensable player of the Nghe An team.

2017 marked the first successes of Que Ngoc Hai when he won the National Cup championship with his hometown team. After that success, the central defender born in 1993 had a bright future. He was signed by Viettel with a huge contract with a 3 billion VND signing bonus each year, along with huge bonuses after the army team won the 2020 V.League championship. At the national team level, Que Ngoc Hai is an indispensable central defender in the tactical scheme ofCoach Park Hang-seo. The player born in 1993 made his mark on the national team when he and Vietnam won the AFF Cup 2018; won a ticket to the third qualifying round of the World Cup 2022. After those contributions, the name Que Ngoc Hai won the love of fans.

Que Ngoc Hai won the National Cup in 2017 with SLNA Club. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In early 2022, Que Ngoc Hai decided to return home. It is worth mentioning that this return is very sweet for both Song Lam Nghe An and Que Ngoc Hai. Because this is the time when the central defender born in 1993 is reaching maturity in his career and will contribute greatly to the goals set by the club. On the other hand, this return also brings many good things to the life of the former captain of the Vietnam National Team. He has the opportunity to support his parents, take care of his family and realize his plans for the future.

Que Ngoc Hai's happy and fulfilling life with his small family. Photo: FBNV

It can be said that Hai Que's life is the dream of many young people. A life of complete happiness with his wife and two lovely daughters. And it can be affirmed that football has given him all of that.

Que Ngoc Hai shared: “Football has given me everything, from being a moral man, to glory, fame; a happy family and a fulfilling life. And it must be said that the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament is the launching pad that helps me realize that dream. I hope that the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament will continue to discover more talents for national football.”