VietNamNet Bridge – Pham Van Quyen, who used to be the top player in Vietnam, has unexpectedly announced his retirement at the age of 30.

Explaining his sudden decision, Van Quyen, a member of Vissai Ninh Binh FC, says that, besides the factor of his age, he did not have many opportunities to play in the jersey of Ninh Binh. To arrive at this decision, Quyen says, he had to fight and argue a lot in his mind.

Quyen’s decision could be the next shock for Ninh Binh after its recent match-fixing scandal, which has stirred up the public in recent days.

"I had to think a lot before making this decision. In my heart, giving up football is a very difficult struggle. But perhaps, it's time for me to plan for my future. Football cannot sustain me and my family. I also wish to have more time to take care of my mother, to get married and prepare my business plans," Quyen says.

After a talk with Ninh Binh FC’s Chair Pham Van Le on Saturday, Quyen left Ninh Binh for his hometown, Nghe An, to start a new life without football.

Van Quyen was suspected of involvement in the recent match-fixing scandal of Ninh Binh in the AFC Cup 2014. But in his most recent meetings with police, he maintained his innocence.

Van Quyen was once considered the “golden boy” of Vietnam football. He lost that moniker after being suspended for involvement in a match fixing scandal at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.

He played football again in January 2009 and joined many FCs but he no longer impressed fans. He was summoned to the national squad in August 2010, but after two drillings, an old ankle injury recurred and he left the team.

Nam Nguyen