The team won 3-2 over their Thai rivals in the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Championship finals at Rajamangala Stadium in Thailand on January 5. With a 5-3 aggregate victory in the final game, Vietnam won the ASEAN Cup trophy.
The team was invited to the Government Office to attend the reception right after returning from Thailand.
Speaking at the meeting, PM Chinh extended congratulations on the team's victory, attributing this result to the whole team’s endeavours, the sports sector’s training process and, particularly, the heartfelt support from more than 100 million Vietnamese people in any circumstance.
He highlighted the victory’s significance, noting this is the first time the team has brought home the trophy from another country, recorded no losses, and scored 21 goals – the best result of the team in this tournament so far. This is also the first time a Vietnamese player, Nguyen Xuan Son, has claimed both the “Most Valuable Player” and “Top Goal Scorer” awards. Meanwhile, Nguyen Dinh Trieu was named the “Best Goalkeeper”.
Describing the victory as a great source of motivation and inspiration for the entire country and a demonstration of the aspiration to conquer new heights, the Government leader asked the team not to rest on their laurels but keep up efforts to secure more wins and reach higher targets, including at the Asian and World Cup tournaments.
He also appreciated support from those working in the sports sector and people nationwide.
On behalf of the Party and State leader, PM Chinh presented the first-class Labour Order to the men’s national football team, and the third-class Labour Order to six players with outstanding performance, namely Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Duy Manh, Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Hoang Duc, and Nguyen Dinh Trieu.
He also granted the PM’s certificates of merit to 29 individuals of the team.
At the meeting, head coach Kim Sang Sik and captain Do Duy Manh thanked the Party and State leaders, along with ministries, sectors, localities and, especially, fans nationwide for their consistent support for the team.
They said the 2024 ASEAN Cup trophy is a reward for the players’ efforts and also an achievement for the entire nation, pledging continued efforts to reach new heights and bring glory to the country.
Right after their victory, the men’s football team trained by South Korean Coach Kim Sang Sik received bonuses of VND15 billion including VND5 billion from the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises and VND10 billion from the Hanoi People’s Committee, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group, and VPBank each presenting VND2 billion.
The figure is expected to continue rising.