An Asian title and a World Cup qualification are the primary targets now for the Vietnamese men’s national football team, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said today (January 6).
| Vietnam's captain Nguyen Duy Manh presents Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh the golden medal. Photo: VGP |
At the meeting with the players and head coach Kim Sang Sik following their ASEAN championship, the Prime Minister praised their journey, especially the thrilling finals against Thailand.
He highlighted the emotional peak, especially when midfielder Nguyen Hai Long's last-minute goal to settle the final score and secure the trophy for Vietnam.
The Prime Minister attributed the success to the dedication of the sports sector, the investment of the Party, State and people, and the passionate support of fans.
This championship is a groundbreaking milestone for Vietnamese football, demonstrating unity and national pride, he said.
Vietnam won the 2024 ASEAN Cup by winning all 7 matches throughout the tournament, and scored a total of 21 goals – the highest among all teams.
Striker Nguyen Xuan Son, originally Brazilian, became the first Vietnamese player to win both the top scorer and most valuable player awards, while Dinh Trieu was named best goalkeeper.
| Head coach Kim Sang Sik receives the First-Class Labor Order on behalf of the Vietnamese national football team. Photo: VGP |
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the team and the sports sector to build on this momentum and strive for excellence and global recognition. He urged the players to overcome obstacles, work harder and bring greater success to Vietnamese football.
“The taste of the victory will remain. But there is a long way for us to go,” he said. “We can’t rest on our laurels. We must continue to achieve new heights and go beyond our limits.”
The future goals are winning the Asian championship and qualifying for the World Cup, he said.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister presented the team with the First-Class Labor Order, as per the President's decision. Individual players, including Nguyen Xuan Son and Nguyen Quang Hai, received Third-Class Labor Orders. Additionally, 29 team members were awarded certificates of merit.
The team has received over VND6 billion (US$250,000) in rewards from businesses, and more support is on the way.
| Individuals of the Vietnamese men's national football team receives Third-Class Labor Orders from the Prime Minister. Photo: VGP |
