Feeling empty
The match against strong opponent Japan in the second qualifying round of the 2024 Olympics on November 1 in Uzbekistan was the match that ended the glorious coaching career of coach Mai Duc Chung. Although the Vietnamese women's team lost, the 74-year-old coach could feel relieved. "Although we could not win, the spirit that the players showed on the field made me satisfied. I was afraid of the scenario of a breakdown and heavy defeat. Vietnam had lost 0-7 to Japan at the 19th ASIAD, but this time the score was only 0-2. That was a great success for the whole team. I was so touched that I could not speak," he shared.
The gentle smile of coach Mai Duc Chung when the Vietnamese women's team successfully defended the SEA Games 31 gold medal at home.
The team will return to Hanoi on November 4, but "right after the match ended, our hearts were filled with indescribable emotions. We could not help but feel empty. Because from now on, we will no longer see the figure of our respected teacher, standing and sitting restlessly in the training cabin area, and will no longer hear a familiar voice from the sidelines. All will become beautiful, profound memories that we will never, ever forget," an assistant exclaimed.
In football, it is normal for a coach to come and go. But with coach Mai Duc Chung, it is different, as he has been with the Vietnamese women's team for a long time. The teacher-student relationship is the core factor that helps the Vietnamese women's team overcome challenges, experience many emotions together and reach glory together. Therefore, the moment of parting makes everyone sad. After the match against Japan, all members of the Vietnamese women's team stayed on the field for a long time to express their thoughts and feelings and together with coach Mai Duc Chung to preserve the sacred moments.
"Storybook" full of emotions
Captain Huynh Nhu joined the national team in 2011 and has been with coach Mai Duc Chung for nearly ten years. The number 1 striker of the Vietnamese women's team, on behalf of the entire team, presented coach Mai Duc Chung with a very special number 9 jersey. The white jersey became a "souvenir book" filled with everyone's heartfelt thoughts and wishes.
The Vietnamese women's team excellently won the 31st SEA Games gold medal with the great contribution of coach Mai Duc Chung.
Recalling the moment when Coach Chung kindly put the captain's armband on her arm, the girl from Tra Vinh couldn't help but choke up: "I remember the first day I practiced with you, that year you sent me back to the club. You also told me to try harder. Since then, I have tried very hard to return to the team. Thanks to that, I have Huynh Nhu today. From a teacher with a warm heart, I learned love and humility". Goalkeeper Kim Thanh could not hide her emotions when she had to say goodbye to Coach Mai Duc Chung at the very place where she was given her first opportunity: "In 2019, at this place, you trusted me with the opportunity to compete and achieve more success than expected. In 2023, also at this place, you said goodbye to me and Vietnamese women's football. Thank you, great teacher, respected father".
Bich Thuy's handwritten letter full of love
Midfielder Bich Thuy also expressed her feelings in a handwritten letter. "I wanted to write a lot to you but I didn't know where to start or how. I can only send you many thanks. The day I first joined the national team was also the day you guided me through all the challenges and difficulties. I am so happy and proud because we have had so many beautiful memories," the girl from Quang Ngai confided. Former player Bui Thi Hien Luong, a midfielder from the golden generation of Vietnamese women's football, who used to be an assistant to coach Mai Duc Chung, sadly said: "Although we knew this day would come, we were still very emotional and could not hold back our tears on the day we said goodbye to Uncle Chung. We love you, the man who devoted his whole life to football."
Although coach Mai Duc Chung is no longer leading the national team, what he has done for Vietnamese women's football is always a valuable legacy and will never fade in the hearts of fans. As striker Huynh Nhu said: "For Vietnamese women's football, he is forever."
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