Thuy Trang touches the Golden Ball; PSG loses first match in Ligue 1 this season

Thuy Trang touches the Golden Ball

On January 1, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union awarded the title of Outstanding Young Citizen of Ho Chi Minh City in 2022 to 12 individuals, after selecting from 112 nominations from 43 units in the city. Among them is female player Tran Thi Thuy Trang of the national women's team and Ho Chi Minh City with many outstanding achievements.

Thuy Trang, born in 1988, has an outstanding achievement as the core of the national team with her teammates winning the gold medal in women's football at the 31st SEA Games held in Vietnam and especially making history when winning a ticket to the 2023 World Cup finals. In 2022, the versatile Thuy Trang was voted the Best Player of the National Championship, Best Player of the Futsal Tournament. The female player of Ho Chi Minh City was also the Best Player in the match where Vietnam won 2-1 against the Philippines at the 31st SEA Games.

Female player Thuy Trang won the title of Outstanding Young Citizen of Ho Chi Minh City in 2022.

During 11 years of playing professional football, Thuy Trang has won 7 National Championships, 3 National Cups, 1 Gold Medal and 2 Silver Medals at the National Sports Festival, 2 SEA Games Gold Medals. In the context that the Ho Chi Minh City women's team does not have many key players, player number 8 emerged as the leader of the club with 6 goals and 5 assists, helping the home team win the National Championship, win the National Cup and become the runner-up at the Sports Festival.

Thuy Trang was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Prime Minister for her excellent performance at the Asian Women's Championship and qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, a Certificate of Merit by the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee for her excellent performance at the National Championship, the 2022 National Women's Cup, and many other awards.

Thuy Trang is also a strong candidate for the 2022 Vietnam Golden Ball award, similar to her teammate Huynh Nhu who was the Outstanding Young Citizen of Ho Chi Minh City in 2019 and later won this prestigious individual title.

Xuan Truong is about to join Hai Phong

On December 31, Xuan Truong officially said goodbye to HAGL after 15 years of association. The midfielder from Tuyen Quang decided to leave to find a new challenge starting from the 2023 season.

Midfielder Luong Xuan Truong.

After leaving HAGL, Luong Xuan Truong's new destination has also been revealed. The midfielder born in 1995 will almost certainly join Hai Phong Club from the 2023 season. Previously, there were rumors that Xuan Truong would join Khanh Hoa. However, in the latest shares with the media, Coach Vo Dinh Tuan affirmed that although he had a lot of affection for Xuan Truong, Khanh Hoa had "finalized" the number of players and did not have enough financial capacity to recruit the midfielder of the Vietnam National Team.

According to Bongdaplus's source, Xuan Truong arrived in Hai Phong on the morning of January 1, 2023 to negotiate the contract. If there are no last-minute changes, Xuan Truong will sign a contract to become a member of the Hai Phong team from the 2023 season.

PSG lost their first match in Ligue 1 this season

Early morning of January 2 (Hanoi time), PSG lost 1-3 to Lens in the match of round 17 of Ligue 1.

Lens is currently ranked 2nd on the rankings, just behind PSG with 7 points less. Coach Franck Haise's team does not have many stars but in return, they possess an enthusiastic, cohesive playing style and a 100% winning rate at home this season.

PSG had no chance to turn the tables on the day both Messi and Neymar were absent.

With the enthusiastic cheers of the audience, Lens entered the game full of confidence and only needed 5 minutes to break through the defending champion's net. Gianluigi Donnarumma's effort to push the ball into Frankowski's reach. Number 29 comfortably swung his leg from less than 6 meters away, opening the score.

Just 3 minutes later, PSG organized a quick attack and equalized 1-1. From a pass from the right wing, Hugo Ekitike controlled the ball neatly and finished close to the goal, defeating goalkeeper Brice Samba. However, this was all the away team could do at Bollaert-Delelis Stadium.

After conceding the goal, Lens remained loyal to their defensive style of play. PSG held the ball and attacked a lot but ineffectively, and then paid the price after a lightning counter-attack by the home team in the 28th minute. From Fofana's through ball, Luis Openda broke through strongly to get past the center-back, before finishing to increase the score to 2-1.

When coach Galtier's calculations after the break had not yet taken effect, PSG conceded a third goal. In the 48th minute, Fabian Ruiz lost the ball right in front of the penalty area. Openda skillfully back-heeled the ball for Claude-Maurice to finish coolly, widening the gap to 2 goals for the home team.

The match ended with a convincing 3-1 victory for the home team. PSG's 16-match unbeaten streak ended but they still held the top spot with 4 points more than Lens.

Chelsea disappointed against 19th ranked opponent

On the night of January 1 (Hanoi time), Chelsea only had a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest in round 18 of the Premier League.

When they returned to their home field, Nottingham Forest entered the game with confidence. Coach Steve Cooper's team even nearly opened the score in the 10th minute. Brennan Johnson got past the defenders, but could not beat the last stopper, goalkeeper Kepa.

After escaping defeat, Chelsea unexpectedly opened the scoring in the 16th minute thanks to luck. After a pass from Christian Pulisic on the left wing, the home team's center back, Willy Boly backheeled the ball, hitting the crossbar and bouncing right into the position of Raheem Sterling. The former Man City player easily finished from close range, beating his compatriot Dean Henderson.

The home team's full-back scored against Chelsea.

Chelsea slowed down the tempo for the rest of the first half. Graham Potter's team had 80% possession but did not create any significant chances.

In the second half, the game suddenly changed, when Nottingham rose strongly and created suffocating pressure on the away team's goal. Right from the first minutes, Kepa had to continuously show his talent to block shots from Taiwo Awoniyi and Johnson. In the 55th minute, it was the goal's turn to deny Gibbs-White's dangerous shot.

The City Ground club's attacking efforts were rewarded with an equalizer in the 63rd minute. Boly made up for his mistake with a successful aerial duel, which allowed Serge Aurier to finish through the goalkeeper's legs, bringing the match back to the starting line.

When losing the advantage, Coach Potter made a series of adjustments to the attack but they were not effective. Chelsea were helpless and accepted their fourth consecutive away game without a win.

This result left the Stamford Bridge team stuck in 8th place with 25 points, 7 points behind 4th place Man United./.