A regrettable time of Vietnamese football through Nguyen Hong Son's memoir

The glories, regrets, sweetness, and bitterness of that period are revealed in the memoir Hong Son "Princess": A soccer genius in a soldier's uniform, released on the afternoon of October 9 in Ho Chi Minh City.

JOURNEY OF REGRETS

Wearing the national team jersey since 1993, Hong Son is considered a "historical witness" of the ups and downs of Vietnamese football. In 1995, under the guidance of coach Karl H. Weigang, the team played brilliantly, winning the silver medal at the 1995 SEA Games in Thailand. For the first time in history, people all over the country took to the streets for football, thanks to the emotional performances of the players. This title was also the fulcrum for the Vietnamese team to make progress, thereby conquering 2 more silver medals, 1 bronze medal at the SEA Games and 1 runner-up, 2 third place AFF Cup (formerly known as Tiger Cup).

Hong Son released his memoir on his 54th birthday

Playing impressively, winning the hearts of fans, this generation of players was affectionately nicknamed the "golden generation". But unfortunately, they never won gold. Because at this stage, the opponents in the region, especially Thailand, were much stronger than Vietnam. And unfortunately, the Vietnamese team did not have "luck" accompanying them. At the 1998 Tiger Cup at home, we broke the losing streak against Thailand when we defeated the "War Elephants" 3-0 in the semi-final. At this time, the championship was very close when the opponent was only Singapore, which was not highly rated. But the lucky goal from Sasikumar's back made the Vietnamese team sink deep into regret.

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Hong Son said that it was a "hellish" moment for the players, no one could remember what they did or said at that time and the Vietnamese team was like people walking in the desert, everything seemed so far away and uncertain. On the podium to receive the medals, those who had an explosive, sublime tournament but were unlucky dragged their heavy steps in silence, interspersed with sighs. "Princess" Son should have had a perfect year when he won the 1998 national championship with The Cong Club, won two individual titles: Best Player of the 1998 Tiger Cup and Best Player of Asia in August 1998.

But when luck was not on his side, Hong Son had to regret: "I was willing to trade these two dream titles to touch one glory with the Vietnamese team, but unfortunately it did not come."

" PRINCESS" BUT ALSO A WARRIOR

Hong Son said that the defeat to Singapore in 1998 made him hit rock bottom. But he did not give up and always tried to rise up. That was the spirit of a soldier, of a warrior. This was also shown when he overcame a knee ligament injury in 1996. In the match against the Indonesian team at the Tiger Cup 1996, after an extremely dangerous tackle by Aples Tecuari, he suffered a torn ligament, a broken meniscus and stepped up to the podium to receive the bronze medal with two people helping him. The injury was so severe that he had to go to Germany for surgery and it took him a year to return to the field.

Hong Son chose to release his memoir on his birthday.

PHOTO: NGUYEN KHANG

Overcoming all difficulties to return, it seems that nothing can defeat Hong Son. Two years after leaving the field on a stretcher, he won the 1998 Vietnam Golden Ball, the national championship with The Cong Club and the two individual titles mentioned above. Hong Son even shared "arrogantly": "I don't know whether I should thank Tecuari or still hold resentment towards him? Because of him, because of the pain he caused, I had glorious moments in my career... If I accidentally meet Tecuari again, I will hug him, shake his hand, praise him and find every way to tell him how grateful I am to him!".

The memoir Hong Son "Princess": A genius on the football field in a soldier's uniform is the most honest and emotional thing he wants to send to the hearts that have been beating for him.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mot-thoi-tec-nuoi-cua-bong-da-viet-nam-qua-hoi-ky-nguyen-hong-son-185241009203138553.htm