“The victory is a pride of Vietnamese sports,” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc wrote in a letter to the U23 team, who just made it to the last-four round of the Asian Football Confederation U23 Championship.

U23 Vietnam footballers after their historic victory 

The team beat Iraq 5-3 in the penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw on January 20 in Changsu, China. Vietnam, the only ASEAN country in the continental tournament’s last-four round, will next play Qatar on January 23.

On behalf of the Government, PM Phuc sent the warmest congratulations to the team and its coach Park Hang-Seo.

The leader said he expects they will continue their excellent performance, solidarity, and disciplines that have been proved in the semi-final match.

At a press conference after the game, coach Park Hang-Seo said the victory is for all Vietnamese fans. 

He said the winning did not surprise him much as he always has faith in his team. He noted there is no concrete forecast of another miracle win but Vietnamese footballers are sure to do their best.

On January 20 evening right after the match, streets in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, and other localities nationwide were crowded with thousands of football lovers celebrating the win together with the national flag. The victory was said to lit up faith in local fans.-VNA