Goalkeeper Dang Van Lam and the story of professional football.

That "Van Lam, or any player for that matter, focuses on playing, maintaining concentration, and striving to be in the best form, so they truly don't care what happens around them or who is watching them play..."

What Văn Lâm was referring to was primarily happening in Bình Định, where the team was virtually unable to compete for the championship after losing three consecutive matches in the second phase. They were left behind by rivals like Đông Á Thanh Hóa, Viettel, and Hà Nội FC in the standings, trailing the top teams by more than ten points (19 points compared to 29 points). However, against Viettel, who were trying to regain their former glory with a series of wins in the second phase, directly challenging the championship title their rivals were vying for, Văn Lâm and his teammates played a strong away game, keeping a clean sheet thanks to the team's unwavering determination, Văn Lâm's talent in goal, and of course, the talent of the coaching staff led by Đức Thắng, a former Viettel player.

Even though they only managed to get one point after a disappointing run of matches, Binh Dinh still managed to put Viettel at a disadvantage in the race to the finish line, making the upcoming championship matches truly professional and fair, as we hope and have been hoping for.

Furthermore, the claim that "someone is watching us play" refers to the fact that Mr. Trousier's attendance at matches involving Vietnamese players has made them perform more positively. This is a long-standing fact that everyone knows and acknowledges. However, with professionalism ingrained in his blood, Van Lam asserts that he "doesn't care," meaning he and his teammates always give their all whenever they step onto the field, while the result is a completely different story.

Of course, in the current V-League, many teams, like Binh Dinh or specifically Van Lam, always play as professionally as possible. Hoang Anh Gia Lai's excellent performance in the first three rounds of the second phase of the relegation group is strong evidence, with Kiatisuk and his players winning three consecutive matches against opponents desperate for points to avoid relegation, such as Binh Duong, Khanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City. While Hoang Anh Gia Lai has no chance of competing for the championship, they fielded many young players to train for the new season and are also leading the relegation group.Lam River, Nghe AnHowever, the spirit and professional attitude of these two teams show a world of difference. Hoang Anh Gia Lai is truly professional, truly respects the fans, and truly makes Vietnamese football worth watching, even in non-decisive matches, making football a real joy for fans whether they're at the stadium or watching on screen. In contrast, a team like Song Lam Nghe An, with its rich tradition, consistently displays a lack of professionalism, repeatedly undermining the fans' trust…

As society develops in all aspects, the viewing needs of audiences are satisfied in many ways and through various means, and the V-League is ultimately just one of many favorite "treats" for fans. For Vietnamese football lovers, the V-League is always attractive, live, and has its own unique appeal, but if the matches continue to be so amateurish as they have been recently (due to unenthusiastic players, biased referees, and inadequate security, for example), it is alarming for the progress we aspire to make.

Therefore, the simple statement made by Van Lam after the recent draw between Viettel and Binh Dinh is all the more meaningful for every player, every team, in Group A or Group B of the V-League… That, in professional football, seriousness is always needed from the beginning from every stadium organizer, referee, supervisor, every team, every player, and every spectator watching and cheering. That, football has wins and losses, but absolutely no lack of focus in the game, looking for excuses to "give away points," not playing "to the fullest," and eroding the trust of fans near and far.

It's worth remembering that when he first joined the V-League, Dang Van Lam faced numerous difficulties, like any other player, both in terms of mental fortitude and professional demands. However, he overcame these challenges to gradually establish himself at his club and with the Vietnamese national team over the years, truly serving as an example for many players to learn from and improve upon. The aforementioned small story is just one of countless examples of Van Lam's professionalism, making him worthy of being number one not only in goal for Binh Dinh but also for the Vietnamese national team, in terms of willpower, spirit, and professional ability.