Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomed in Hanoi on January 28 U23 Vietnam – the runner-up of the Asian Football Confederation U23 Championship (AFC) in China, praising their excellent performance and achievements at the continental tournament. 


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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and U23 footballers.



The PM affirmed the footballers are champions in the hearts of Vietnamese people. 

He highlighted the special role head coach Park Hang-seo in leading and inspiring confidence in the team and promoting their potential, thus making a wonder for football.

He stressed the significance of football, asking the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Football Federation, other ministries and localities to review and withdraw lessons from the tournament to give due attention to promoting football movements, training young footballers and developing professional football.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented the Labour Order, first class, to the national U23 squad, the third-class Labour Order to head coach Park Hang-seo from the Republic of Korea, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung for their excellent achievements at the AFC U23 Championship in China.


Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presenta the Labour Order, first class, to the national U23 squad, the third-class Labour Order to head coach Park Hang-seo from the Republic of Korea, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung. (Photo: VNA)

Also at the event, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam presented certificates of merit to 31 members of the U23 squad, including 21 footballers, in recognition for their hard work and success.

The U23 squad also presented Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc a ball and a football shirt with signatures of the all U23 footballers and their board of training.

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.

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