The story of the '12th player'

In football, a coach's tactics may be brilliant, and players may be in peak physical condition, but without the cheers from the stands, even a top-level match can be lifeless. Spectators are often called the "12th player," and they are the source of energy, motivation, and the soul of football.

The enthusiastic support of the fans gives the players strength and confidence.

Football is not just about the joy of victory; it's also about the tears of defeat or falling behind. When a team is in a difficult situation, the role of the fans becomes more important than ever. A passionate crowd that never turns its back when the home team concedes a goal is the driving force behind spectacular comebacks.

The unwavering perseverance and unwavering faith of the fans resonated on the pitch, affirming: "Players never fight alone." This belief lifted the team's spirits, rekindling hope in those whose legs were faltering under pressure.

It's no coincidence that the concept of "home advantage" is always thoroughly exploited by football teams. A home ground isn't just the familiar pitch; more importantly, it's the support of tens of thousands of loyal fans. A passionate atmosphere filled with cheers, encouragement, and pressure on the opposing team can completely change the course of a match.

This was clearly demonstrated at the Thai Nguyen Four-Team Football Tournament 2025, which took place in December 2025 at the newly inaugurated Thai Nguyen Provincial Stadium with a capacity of 22,000 seats. The tournament brought together many major Vietnamese football clubs, such as Hanoi FC, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, The Cong Viettel , and PVF People's Police.

What was particularly remarkable was that almost every match was sold out, creating an unprecedentedly fervent atmosphere for local football. The resounding cheers filling the stadium transformed it into a true "cauldron." The players performed with more emotion and delivered captivating matches to reciprocate the fans' love. It was the fans who transformed the tournament from just a sporting event into a celebration of emotion and football pride.

Beyond men's football, the love of Thai Nguyen fans extends to women's football as well. At the National Women's Football Cup, held from May 13th to 27th, 2025, attendance consistently ranged from 5,000 to 7,000 people per match. The continuous applause for the female players demonstrated the growing public interest and affection for women's football.

Spectators flocked to Thai Nguyen Stadium to cheer on the players at the Thai Nguyen Four-Team Football Tournament 2025.

Sharing her thoughts on the role of fans in the development of Vietnamese football, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation, emphasized: "Spectators are always an indispensable part of football. A successful tournament is not only about professional quality but also about the love and support of fans in the stands."

Following the championship victory of the Ho Chi Minh City women's club, striker Huynh Nhu emotionally shared that the fans' support was the biggest motivation for the entire team's outstanding performance: "Seeing so many fans come to the stadium, cheering and supporting women's football, we are truly happy. That motivates the whole team to work harder and fight with all their might."

After all, football is a sport of emotion, and the fans are the ones who nurture that emotion. Fans don't score goals or create chances directly, but they are the ones who give the game its soul. They are the driving force and the biggest reason why teams give their all on the pitch, turning each tournament into a true celebration of emotion.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/the-thao/202605/chuyen-ve-cau-thu-thu-12-7605c47/