Times create The Cong, love nurtures The Cong

I asked Ngo Quang Tung - the son of the former Head of The Cong Football Team Ngo Xuan Quynh - the person who discovered and brought outstanding players at the age of 17-18 such as Nguyen The Anh (Ba Den), Nguyen Trong Giap, Vuong Tien Dung, Vu Manh Hai, Nguyen Van Nhat, Phan Van My... to the DPRK for training for about a year, "Before and even now, do you wish for the name "The Cong" to return?"

That seemingly "innocent" question was explained very pleasantly by the commentator with a warm, calm voice: Back then, my fathers and uncles played football without being much influenced by the name. What is The Cong? In fact, it is simply an abbreviation for the Army Sports and Physical Training Working Group, established on September 23, 1954. And at times, specifically for a rather long period of more than 20 years from 1976 to 1998, the name The Cong was not used. The army team was changed to the Army Club to suit the historical context at that time.

During that time, names like Nguyen The Anh, Tran Van Khanh, Nguyen Cao Cuong… were still the number 1 players. The team wearing military uniforms was still number 1. Up to now, The Cong is still the team that won the national championship the most times (5 times).

Ngo Quang Tung recalls: “My uncles and brothers played very persistently. Going on the field was both a duty and a way to enjoy. It was a joy, a dedication of the best qualities, bringing the most refreshing moments to the audience. During the subsidy period, there was no more suitable pleasure for all classes of people!”

Following the flow of the conversation, Mr. Tung continued: The name The Cong can return right away in V.League 2019 or a little further, but that is not important. The essential thing is that the "winning gene", the qualities of the "football warrior" are always maintained, through many ups and downs of the country's football.

There was a time when fans mispronounced The Cong as The Cong, meaning they fell in love with, expected, and looked forward to a team that always moved forward, determined to win even in the most difficult times, seemingly impossible to overcome. The Cong, therefore, carries the most traditional and basic features of a Vietnam People's Army team - the team of army soldiers.

Speaking of this, Ngo Quang Tung suddenly choked up, his eyes looking into the distance: No matter what happens to our country's football, I believe The Cong will always have a solid position in the hearts of many generations of fans, many families. That makes me feel happy and also very honored and proud to be the son of a former famous The Cong player.

I understand, that is when you are remembering your father, who although has been gone for many years, the "The Cong quality" in him is always present somewhere. And in a part of the qualities and blood of his son.

Remembering the former football star Ngo Xuan Quynh - father of commentator Ngo Quang Tung - fans immediately remember one of the leading birds, the first generation of players of The Cong Club. Later, when he retired from playing football, Mr. Quynh became the Head of The Cong Club's football delegation, directly nurturing and leading generations of talented players of The Cong to "make waves" domestically as well as leave a strong mark on the international arena. This generation was later sent to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for training.

“People think that was the period when we learned a lot about expertise directly from the DPRK - the country that had just had a team participating in the 1966 World Cup. But in reality, the other side only supported us as much as possible in terms of logistics, the rest we took care of ourselves. The goal we set ourselves at that time was "1 year in the other country is equal to 3 years in the country". My father and his colleagues, especially coach Nguyen Van Tien (Mr. Muoi Tien), personally created lesson plans, implemented and completed those lesson plans and self-set goals", commentator Quang Tung recalled.

But the very important factor that created success at that time was when the "seeds" were carefully selected, talented and potential factors were promoted to "bloom" after 1 year of training in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Those who came to The Cong that day were all the quintessence of Vietnamese football. Cot Co Stadium - the "holy land" of The Cong located in the center of the capital - attracted the most coveted looks.

“And they came as if they “found each other”. Everything could be considered perfect at that time!”, commentator Quang Tung admitted.

After the "golden generation" of the 70s of the last century, The Cong (Army Club) continued to produce talented players for the country's football.

From the generation of Nguyen Cao Cuong, Quan Trong Hung, Do Van Phuc, Nguyen Manh Cuong, Dinh The Nam... followed by Nguyen Hong Son, Do Manh Dung, Nguyen Hai Bien, Ngo Tien Dung...

Then there was Nguyen Duc Thang, Truong Viet Hoang, Nguyen Manh Dung, Nguyen Minh Tien, Dang Phuong Nam, Pham Nhu Thuan... Then came the generation born in 1987 with Trinh Quang Vinh, Cong Huy, Ngoc Duy, Quoc Long...

And now it is the generation of steel center back Bui Tien Dung - who contributed significantly to the success of the Vietnamese teams under coach Park Hang-seo throughout 2018.

“I can personally affirm that Viettel is the most comprehensive football training center in Vietnam. They have an output team playing in the V.League, good facilities, long-term orientation, and a “red thread” running through them, which is the former famous players who are working as coaches, tirelessly “polishing” for Viettel in particular and Vietnamese football in general,” Quang Tung proudly said.

Every day, the Viettel “U” generations witness their seniors practicing and competing, and that inspiration, pride and honor are passed on to the Viettel youth, so that they also always try their best to practice with the dream of one day playing with their seniors. Quang Tung affirmed that this is something that not every team or training center can have.

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