Defender Que Ngoc Hai: When the tears stop falling

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Following the disappointing 2-2 draw at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Que Ngoc Hai shared: “I would like to thank the Vietnamese fans who came to the stadium to support us during this difficult away match. In return for that support, we promise to bring complete joy to our fans back home.”

Que Ngoc Hai demonstrated his skill and high level of expertise. Photo: Trung Kien

Not only has Que Ngoc Hai shown composure in his playing style, but he has also become more mature in his interactions with the media. The way Hai uses the press to convey the team's message to the fans has made many people feel that he has truly grown up.

Talking big isn't enough. On the field, Hai was unexpectedly given the captain's armband by coach Park Hang-seo, and he didn't disappoint the South Korean strategist. As captain, Hai played with greater focus and responsibility. The captain's armband transformed a defender who usually played with brute force and was quite aggressive into someone more composed and thoughtful.

Hai still possesses the necessary strong tackling ability; however, at the 2018 AFF Cup, spectators rarely saw the central defender from Nghe An commit unnecessary fouls.

In the first leg of the semi-final against the Philippines, many believed that the goal conceded was due to his poor positioning. However, a fair analysis reveals that it was entirely a systemic failure of the defense, including Duy Mạnh, Đình Trọng, Văn Hậu, and even Trọng Hoàng, who were too focused on attacking.

A captain who knows how to behave.

The Vietnamese national team's defense at the 2018 AFF Cup was almost flawless. The central defensive trio of Ngoc Hai, Duy Manh, and Dinh Trong was the key factor in helping the team stand firm against all difficulties. Ngoc Hai consistently demonstrated the influence of a senior player. He constantly shouted instructions to his teammates, urging them to focus on both attacking and defending in a coordinated manner.

As teammates and coaching staff rushed to celebrate winning the Southeast Asian championship for the second time, Que Ngoc Hai approached Van Quyet, wanting to return the captain's armband to his senior teammate. A beautiful and thoughtful gesture from the central defender from Dien Chau. Van Quyet may not be in his best form right now, however, to the players of the Vietnamese national team, Van Quyet remains an exemplary senior figure.

Earlier, after the semi-final match against the Philippines at My Dinh Stadium, an overzealous fan rushed onto the field to celebrate Vietnam's qualification for the final. The team captain himself approached and protected the fan as security escorted him off the field. The warm embrace between the captain and this special fan turned out to be the most beautiful image at My Dinh Stadium that day.

After winning the championship, Que Ngoc Hai made a surprising gesture towards captain Van Quyet. Photo: Internet

The tears have stopped falling.

Despite being a strong center-back on the field, Que Ngoc Hai is often easily swayed by his emotions.

In 2015, after the Vietnam U23 team lost to Myanmar U23 in the semi-finals of the 28th SEA Games, Que Ngoc Hai collapsed on the field, unable to believe what had happened. A strong young man sat down, clenched his fists, looked up at the sky, and shouted as if his heart was breaking.

The AFF Cup took place a year later, and once again, Hai was seen crying.

Que Ngoc Hai - The tears have stopped falling. Photo: Trung Kien

The Vietnamese national team failed to reach the final of the 2016 AFF Cup after losing to Indonesia 4-3 on aggregate over two legs. In that match, Ngoc Hai even had to play as an emergency goalkeeper when Nguyen Manh was sent off. It was a bitter defeat with an unexpected scenario. The image of Ngoc Hai putting on the gloves to play goalkeeper deeply moved all the fans that year.

"This will be the last time I cry. After three semi-final matches in three years, I've run out of tears," Ngoc Hai shared emotionally after being eliminated in the semi-finals of the 2016 AFF Cup.

When men cry, they will cry until all their tears are gone; otherwise, the tears will flow inward, gnawing away at their sorrow.

Hai often couldn't control his emotions, and the tears he shed turned out to make him much stronger and more mature over time.

On the evening of December 15, 2018, at My Dinh Stadium, amidst the overwhelming joy and emotion after the victory, the captain of the Vietnamese national team simply celebrated with his teammates and did not shed a single tear.

Honestly, if Hai were to cry tears of joy, people would understand. He has experienced so many bitter failures, and even if he promised never to cry again, what does it matter if those tears are for victory?