Vietnamese football lovers in the 80s of the last century all knew Tran Van Hiep, who had a glorious time associated with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry football team.
He was a goalkeeper from the Army, playing for the Thanh Command and Military Region 7 teams in the late 70s, then playing the same shirt with famous former players of that time such as Vo Thanh Son, Le Khanh Hung, Vo Van Bien, Tran Thanh Long, Bui Thai Chau, Le Minh Thoi; or later like Phan Trung Viet, Nguyen Trung Hai, Vu Trong Thanh, Le Thanh Minh, Tran Phong Bao, Luong Vinh Le.
He was present for nearly 10 years for the Department of Industry team, impressing with his strong body, quick and decisive in coming and going, and also very tough, certainly making many opposing strikers always confused when facing him.
Goalkeeper Tran Van Hiep (white shirt, sitting row) with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry team
I still remember that during that time, the team that I was most interested in following was not Customs or Saigon Port but the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry. Partly because the style of play of this team at that time was capable of confronting and overcoming the northern teams. The other part was because many players in the team had personality in technique and playing style, and goalkeeper Tran Van Hiep was very popular with the audience.
Once in the final match of the A1 tournament in Ho Chi Minh City at Thong Nhat Stadium, player Minh "little" of Hai Quan dribbled the ball at high speed from the left wing through a series of 3 names Tran Luong, Vo Van Bien and Bui Thai Chau of the solid defense of the Department of Industry, but it was goalkeeper Tran Van Hiep with his sharp ability who cut off that situation in a spectacular way. The whole stadium applauded. Or in the match between the Department of Industry and the Army Club in the national championship, goalkeeper Van Hiep many times made excellent saves when the ball was controlled by the magical feet of the two brothers The Anh and Cao Cuong.
Nicknamed Hiep "wooden", he has always contributed to the famous matches and glorious achievements of this team. Former goalkeeper Nguyen Hong Pham once recounted that when he was at the Ho Chi Minh City Sports Talent School, goalkeeper Tran Van Hiep was his idol with a massive body like a "bear".
Goalkeeper with special anecdote
Goalkeeper Tran Van Hiep is a very diligent person, willing to practice hard and has a very high sense of professionalism. He not only practices morning, noon and afternoon, but also spends time in the evening before going to bed to exercise or cycle continuously many laps from his house in District 10 to the Gifted School at 43 Dien Bien Phu.
According to Mr. Pham, at that time, Mr. Tran Van Hiep was famous for always being the last one to stand up at each meal after "devouring" 18-20 bowls of rice in one go. Such a huge appetite helped Mr. Hiep always be strong and energetic on the training ground and always have high concentration during competition.
Former goalkeeper Tran Van Hiep (standing row, left cover) in the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry team
Flying in the goal frame no less than the two famous legendary goalkeepers of that time, Tran Van Khanh of The Cong and Duong Ngoc Hung of Nghia Binh Workers (now Binh Dinh), goalkeeper Tran Van Hiep always left many marks in the national A1 tournaments as well as the A1 tournament in Ho Chi Minh City.
He had years of historical fame such as third place in the national championship in 1984 (after the Hanoi Army and Police Club), national runner-up in 1985 (losing to Ha Nam Ninh Industry in the final match). In particular, he was the main goalkeeper for the Vietnam 1 team in the Socialist Army Football Tournament (SKDA) in 1984. With his outstanding talent, during the transition period, he was given the national team goalkeeper shirt by former national team goalkeeper Duong Ngoc Hung, as if to remind him that this was the person worthy of succeeding to keep the goal for the Vietnam team at that time.
Former goalkeeper Tran Van Hiep sits in a wheelchair for treatment
Mr. Duong Ngoc Hung once praised Mr. Hiep "wood" for always having great jumping power, entering and exiting decisively, mastering the 16m50 area well, especially the ability to coordinate well with the defense.
Former goalkeeper Tran Van Thinh, a former teammate and substitute for Mr. Hiep at that time, always admired his senior for his quick and accurate penalty saves. Mr. Thinh said that in every match with goalkeeper Hiep, the front line was very confident and played very hard. Mr. Hiep himself, when recalling his golden age, also confided that, although football was still very difficult at that time, thanks to his passion and dedication to the profession, he gradually became one of the most beloved goalkeepers. Former goalkeeper Nguyen Hong Pham affirmed that Mr. Hiep deserved to stand shoulder to shoulder with football legends of Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country such as Ho Thanh Chinh, Luu Kim Hoang, Tran Van Khanh, and Duong Ngoc Hung.
After retiring, Mr. Hiep "wood" still pursues the goalkeeping career, passing on knowledge to juniors at lower-ranking clubs such as Thanh Long Sports Center, Khai Hoan Hotel, and top teams such as Becamex Binh Duong.
But for nearly 5 years, the once talented goalkeeper had to "lock himself up" in one place when he unfortunately suffered a stroke and had to be treated at the Traditional Medicine Hospital. Knowing his difficult situation, although he did not complain or "call for help" from anyone, the association of former players and his friends from the same time, each person helped him buy medicine and cover additional treatment costs. After a period of fighting the disease, Mr. Tran Van Hiep left this world forever on the evening of February 15, at the age of 65.
Former goalkeeper Tran Van Hiep and teammate Tran Van Thinh
Goodbye, "bear" with the nickname Hiep "wooden" talented and had a glorious period with Ho Chi Minh City football in particular and Vietnamese football in general. He passed away but what he left on the field will forever be beautiful memories that will not fade for the next generations and those who love Vietnamese football.
May you rest in peace, Mr. Hiep!
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tran-van-hiep-thu-mon-voi-giai-thoai-dac-biet-cua-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-khong-con-nua-185250216101053752.htm
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