Tears fell at Xuan Truong's farewell letter to the 3 deceased HAGL members

"Just let me do it. It's not worth much, just let me take care of it," Luong Xuan Truong began his farewell letter to coach Duong Minh Ninh, doctor Dao Trong Tri and striker Paollo Madeira Oliveira.

Having worn the Hoang Anh Gia Lai shirt for many years, Xuan Truong has many memories with his teacher and friend. Paollo recently moved to HAGL before the 2023 season. Xuan Truong - as the captain of the mountain town team before moving to Hai Phong - welcomed and helped this foreign player integrate in the first days.

Xuan Truong's post, which was more than a thousand words long, caused strong emotions. The midfielder probably had to suppress a lot of sadness when he was unable to be there to see his teacher and friend off to their final resting place, due to the incident happening right when Xuan Truong and Hai Phong FC went to Hong Kong to compete in the AFC Champions League qualifiers.

Xuan Truong shared a photo with coach Duong Minh Ninh from his time at the HAGL - Arsenal - JMG academy.

Xuan Truong wrote:

"I still remember the first time I met you, it was a rainy day during the final round of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai – Arsenal – JMG Football Academy in 2007. You were one of the coaches in the recruitment board with Mr. Giom (Guillaume Graechen), and you will also be the one who, together with Mr. Giom, Mr. Bao, Mr. Dan,… will train and educate us after that recruitment round.

It has been 16 years now, right, teacher? My first impression is that you always have a cheerful, friendly smile, always showing everyone that you are willing to help everyone. During all those years we grew up and matured, you were always there to guide and teach us from the smallest things. Besides football expertise, you always guided us towards good things. Ethics is what you put first because your wish is always "If you do not become famous, you must become a good person". Perhaps, you are the person who loves us the most up to now.

My teachers and I have eaten football and slept football together since the first days at the academy until U19, HAGL team 1, SEA Games, and the National Team. My teachers and I also had overseas training trips, funny and sad memories when we first went abroad,...

I know, you are a person who always thinks a lot, but we, because we are not mature enough, always blame you for doing this, thinking that, why you have to sacrifice yourself, why you have to be afraid of others and not do as you please,...

He will not tell anyone even though he has to endure a lot of pressure when leading HAGL, he will always smile and say "Never mind, everything will be fine gradually. I will try my best to do it". And he is also the one who always does his best to protect the interests and image of the Club.

Your spirit of not being afraid of difficulties and never giving up has inspired me a lot, you are always the one to encourage me whenever I encounter difficulties. I promise to overcome all obstacles strongly, don't worry anymore.

He is also the class monitor of the university class where we are studying together. Every time the teachers from Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports come to Gia Lai, he represents the class to welcome them properly. We have a proposal that we contribute to a fund, which he uses to take the teachers to visit Pleiku, eat delicious specialties of Gia Lai, and pay for gas and travel expenses, etc.

But he just said, “It’s not worth much, just focus on the next match and let me take care of it.” We loved him so much that we were annoyed because he always took the loss for himself, as long as we could play with peace of mind, he didn’t care about any difficulties. That was our teacher Ninh, a respectable teacher that we will always remember. I thank you for what you did for the club, especially for us. We will always remember you with the best memories. Don’t worry, we will definitely become useful people for society, knowing how to take care of and protect our families like you. Rest in peace, teacher…

Coach Duong Minh Ninh, doctor Dao Trong Tri and player Paollo Oliveira died in a traffic accident on August 12.

Brother Tri, we have fought together and had sweet victories, as well as bitter defeats. Unfortunately, the Club has lost a hard-working, gentle and always progressive physio.

Even though he is older, he always pampers and gives in to us. He is so close to us that we don't even need to use honorifics with each other. He is like a great assistant to all the players before each match. "Tri Dao, get me a roll of bandage, Tri Dao, get me a bottle of water, bandage my leg, massage me, hurry up or it will be too late, Tri Dao, why isn't the ice bath cold today,..." He has always been there, gently helping everyone, never getting angry or upset with anyone, always ready to be there whenever we need to solve any problem.

I remember most the times you massaged me to help me recover after a tiring match or training session. During those 30 minutes, we shared a lot with each other. I often asked you about your career direction, asked you about your family,... you didn't hide anything but shared with me openly. You even spent a relatively large amount of money to buy a muscle relaxant gun sent from the US to serve your work.

You are always responsible for your work and always keep learning and striving every day to become better. You are like a friend to all the brothers in the team, a caring person to everyone around you and we thank you for that. Respect and honor our brother. Rest in peace, brother..."

At the end of the letter is a section dedicated to Paollo, written by Xuan Truong in English:

"The day you came to the team was also my last day at HAGL. I was very sad because I left without having a chance to play with you. I would have assisted you to score if we had played together. I remember when you came to greet everyone at HAGL after the afternoon training session, very friendly and gentle, just like your brother Brandao. I am sure that you will integrate very quickly because the Gia Lai players loved you from the first meeting. I know it will be difficult for those who know you to swallow this loss, but I believe that you will always be loved and remembered with unforgettable memories. Rest in peace, my friend.

Life is so unpredictable, when I received the news I hoped it was just an inaccurate information. I did not dare to read any news in the newspaper or social networks and waited for a miracle that it was not true. Now, I can only pray that the family members and friends of the teacher, Mr. Tri and Paollo will soon overcome this loss.

Even though we can’t see each other anymore, I believe we will still see each other somehow. Maybe in our dreams, so we can laugh together, talk to each other as if we had never been apart. Surely, we will always remember each other with the most beautiful memories…

May everyone rest in peace!"

Phuong Mai

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