The Tay archer 'turned around' to become a steel midfielder for Bac Ninh

Conceding a goal after a quick attack from the opponent, midfielder Nong Cong Nghiep (Bac Ninh 1 Trade Union team) continuously shouted "Brothers, keep it up, we haven't lost yet".

Mr. Nong Cong Nghiep, center back of Bac Ninh 1 Trade Union team (red shirt), in a situation of approaching the opponent's striker - Photo: NAM TRAN

Those were the loud screams of Nong Cong Nghiep, 32 years old, from Ngan Son ( Thai Nguyen ), Tay ethnic group, currently a worker at Siflex Company (Bac Ninh).

From archer to steel defender

Honored to wear the Bac Ninh 1 Trade Union uniform, Mr. Nghiep said Kinh Bac land is the place that has nurtured him for the past 7 years, even though it is more than 200km from home, a distance of 5-6 hours by car.

Having studied physical education at Bac Ninh University of Sports and Physical Education, due to difficulty in finding a job, an acquaintance "temporarily" introduced him to work as a smartphone circuit board manufacturer at Siflex.

The job was stressful but the salary was stable, the working environment was friendly and clean, so he decided to stick with it from then until now.

"Shifts change every two weeks. The morning shift starts at 8am and ends after 5pm. If overtime is required, it lasts until the evening. My job is to guide and communicate tasks to the workers," he said.

Few people know that before becoming a worker, Mr. Nong Cong Nghiep was a first-class archer of the old Bac Kan (now Thai Nguyen).

By chance, from the Phu Dong Sports Festival, his teachers discovered his talent and selected him. But then, because of his family's financial difficulties, he had to put aside his dream of professional sports. "If I hadn't worked as a factory worker, I would still be in the countryside farming to help my parents," he smiled gently.

Despite being busy with work, his passion for sports still burns brightly. Every week, he and many other workers take the time to take their shoes to the football field in the company campus.

"Playing football is the greatest joy, both satisfying my passion and bonding with my teammates" - he shared.

The second time participating in the Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament, Mr. Nghiep played in the center back position, a position that he said was very difficult because he had to read situations quickly and be a reliable blocker for the whole team.

Although he plays "fiercely", he admits that he does not play dirty or destroy his opponents because he knows that they are also workers and still have to go to work after the tournament. "Everyone has a dream, I really want to be a teacher," he confided.

Goalkeeper Ha Van Xuan (dark shirt), Bac Ninh 1 Trade Union team, calls on his teammates to cheer up after a loss - Photo: NAM TRAN

Strong rear

On the same team as Nghiep is Ha Van Xuan, from Chiem Hoa (Tuyen Quang), also a Tay ethnic. Xuan used to work as a freelance electrician, working hard under the sun and wind, with an unstable income. Listening to an acquaintance, he applied to work at the warehouse of Siflex Company, and has been there for 8 years now.

At first he worked as a product quality inspector, then he switched to driving a forklift to transport goods. Thanks to his diligence, his income was quite good, some months he earned more than 15 million VND.

"Stable job, friendly working environment, and the attention and encouragement from the union and company management. I feel lucky," he said.

His house is far away, about 250km from his workplace, so his two children are sent to their grandparents in the countryside. At the end of the month, he and his wife take the bus back to Tuyen Quang. "My wife is very supportive, even carrying the children to the field to cheer on the team," he said, his eyes shining with pride.

Drenched in sweat after the intense match, Nguyen Quang Vinh, 35 years old, captain of Bac Ninh 1 Trade Union team, said that the whole team received maximum support from the union and the company, from arranging practice time to paying for accommodation and travel expenses.

As a production manager at Siflex, Mr. Vinh understands the pressure of workers, so he always encourages them to go to the field to relieve stress and improve their health. "Everyone tries to work hard and complete their tasks at the company, only then can they feel secure to play football," he said.

Meanwhile, head coach of Bac Ninh 1 Trade Union team Vu Hai Long said the team did not have much time to assemble the squad but everyone tried their best and followed the training plan well.

"I have team bonding exercises, combining wing attacks, central coordination and quick passing, pushing the ball away from the team's goal" - Mr. Long shared.

The joy of Bac Ninh 1 Trade Union when winning a ticket to the final round - Photo: NAM TRAN

The 2025 Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament is jointly organized by Tuoi Tre Newspaper , the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, and the Vietnam Football Federation. This is the third consecutive year the tournament has taken place.

The 2025 tournament is sponsored by Truong Hai Group Joint Stock Company (THACO), Dong Luc Sports Group, HTP Pharmaceutical Investment Joint Stock Company, Hoa Sen Group Joint Stock Company, Sunshine Group, Saigon Water Corporation (SAWACO), Faslink Fashion Connection Joint Stock Company, 108 Central Military Hospital, 175 Military Hospital and a number of enterprises.

The final match of the Northern Qualifying Round of the Vietnam Workers' and Civil Servants' Football Tournament 2025 will take place at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon, October 5, at Hanoi University of Science and Technology Stadium.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chang-cung-thu-nguoi-tay-quay-xe-sang-lam-trung-ve-thep-cua-bac-ninh-20251005083817653.htm