National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has complimented Vietnam’s U23 football team – the runner-up of the Asian Football Confederation U23 Championship (AFC), on their excellent performance and historical achievements at the continental sport event. 

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan presents gifts to the team's members at the meeting

During a meeting with the team in Hanoi on January 29,  Ngan said she is proud of the national  spirit and will that the players showed during the tournament, adding that they have won trust and love of many football lovers in Vietnam and around the world. 

She praised the players for their efforts to overcome difficulties in their life as we as in training to reach the success.

The team made miracles, touching the hearts of all Vietnamese people, she stressed.

She highlighted the players’ will and fair-play sport spirit at the tournament, saying that U23 Vietnam’s has been appreciated by people worldwide. 

Ngan asked those involving in local football development to work hard to and learn experience, towards training and improving the quality of football players, especially young players in the future. 

The NA Chairwoman also thanked the team’s head coach Park Hang-Seo, expressing her hope that he will make more contributions to Vietnam’s football, as well as to the friendship between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.

The team’s leader Luong Xuan Truong on behalf of U23 Vietnam footballers, promised to do more efforts to developing the country’s football. 

Vietnam became the runner-up at the AFC U23 Championship after losing 1-2 to Uzbekistan in the final in Changzhou, China, on January 27.

The team defeated Australia 1-0 in the group stage. They won over Iraq in the quarterfinals and Qatar in the semifinals with penalty shootouts. With these achievements, Vietnam became the first Southeast Asian squad to compete at the AFC U23 final.

In recognition of their excellent achievements at the AFC U23 Championship in China, the national U23 squad was awarded the Labour Order, first class, while head coach Park Hang-seo from the Republic of Korea, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung were presented the third-class Labour Order.

Prime Minister met the footballers and coaching board in Hanoi on January 28.

Later the day, a ceremony took place at the My Dinh National Stadium by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to honour the footballers and their coach Park. - VNA