Cong Nham scored a hat-trick, and Minh 'Nhi' netted a brace, creating drama at Dong Thap University.

Two former legendary players, midfielder Ngo Cong Nham and striker Nguyen Hoang Minh (Minh Nhi), scored a combined 5 out of 6 goals, adding excitement and drama to the match against the combined team on the afternoon of July 24th.

Unmistakable talent

Hundreds of spectators at the Dong Thap University stadium were delighted and amazed by the exquisite, "embroidered and woven" plays of former legendary players competing against a combined team of coaches, supervisors, referees, journalists, and supporting units (referred to as the combined team) on duty at the Dong Thap University Cup Open Student Football Tournament on the afternoon of July 24th.

Rector of Dong Thap University, Ho Van Thong, thanked the former football legends for their presence and for inspiring student football - PHOTO: KHA HOA

Over 20 former football legends, all of whom dedicated their youth to Vietnamese football, brought many glorious moments to the pitch both domestically and internationally. Now in their 50s, some even approaching 70, their physical strength may not be at its peak, and their running and ball handling may have lost some of their grace and fluidity. However, their relentless fighting spirit and dedicated playing style are undeniable. Many spectators continuously applauded whenever these "tough old men" touched the ball or scored a goal.

Ngo Cong Nham (17) skillfully scores a goal for the team of former players - PHOTO: KHA HOA

The most prominent among the former star players is the once-talented midfielder of Dong Thap football: Ngo Cong Nham. He still wears the number 17 jersey, the familiar number that helped him score many memorable goals for the Dong Thap team in the 1980s and 1990s.

Ngo Cong Nham (17, middle) and Minh Nhi (7) receive 2 awards for the combined team - PHOTO: KHA HOA

Still displaying his usual frantic running style and nimble dribbling, dancing with the ball at his feet with neat precision, Ngo Cong Nham, though lacking the speed and power of his predecessors, still managed to wreak havoc on the combined team's defense, scoring a hat-trick and creating an explosive performance. Alongside him were the returning "warriors" from Dong Thap, who still showed a degree of their former ferocity.

Former center-back Nguyen Van Hung (4), a former steel shield of Dong Thap team, competes for the ball with two combined players Anh Vu (30) and Ly Thanh Liem (88) - Photo: KHA HOA

That is Pham Anh Tuan (8), who once scored the only goal against The Cong to bring home the national championship in 1989. That is Lai Hong Van (5), the once famous "steel" center-back on the football field. That is also center-back Nguyen Van Hung (4) famous for his brave ball-winning tackles. Or Huynh Quoc Cuong (19), who went into the history of Vietnamese football with a backheel goal against Indonesia at the 1996 Tiger Cup. All of them contributed to recreating the image of a glorious Dong Thap team of the past.

Young Minh still retains his talent and smooth ball handling - PHOTO: KHA HOA

It's impossible not to mention Minh "the Kid," the former Customs team star, who also scored two goals against the combined team. Although he only came on in the second half and played on the left wing, not his preferred wing where he used to excel, Minh "the Kid," at 66 years old, was still incredibly good, creating a huge cheer. Especially noteworthy were his incredibly skillful volley to reduce the deficit and another goal scored with a very tricky feint.

Other former football legends such as Nguyen Van Thanh (Thanh the Hunchback), Nguyen Hong Pham, Ho Van Tam, Tran Van Thinh, Do Van Minh, Nguyen Van Ngan, Vo Van Hoang – names that evoke childhood memories for anyone who loves Vietnamese football. They all left a beautiful impression on the student spectators and fans at Dong Thap University.

Hong Pham, former national team goalkeeper at SEA Games 16, rushed out to clear the ball with the support of two defenders, including Ho Van Tam (3), former teammate at Saigon Port team - PHOTO: KHA HOA

Here are some photos from the 6-6 draw between the team of former Vietnamese football legends and the combined team:

Former Vietnamese Football Stars Team - PHOTO: KHA HOA

Former football legend Lai Hong Van (5) presents commemorative flag with supervisor Bui Thanh Thanh Nghia of the combined team - PHOTO: KHA HOA

Huynh Quoc Cuong (19) dribbles the ball in front of the challenge from assistant coach of Dong Thap University team Le Phi Ho - PHOTO: KHA HOA

A large audience of students studying national defense came to watch - PHOTO: KHA HOA

Nhi Hami, the only female player on the combined team, dribbles offensively - PHOTO: KHA HOA

Former central defender Nguyen Van Ngan (22) competes for the ball with player Tang Tri Hung (9), Head of the football team of Dong Nai University of Technology - PHOTO: KHA HOA

Foreign player Joao Pedro, head coach of Dong Thap University team, and Doan Manh Hiep, head coach ofFPT University Can Tho team, celebrate after scoring a goal - PHOTO: KHA HOA

Vice President of Dong Thap Football Federation Nguyen Van De presents gifts to the team of former legendary players after the match - PHOTO: KHA HOA

The gala was filled with the enthusiastic spirit of the student teams - PHOTO: KHA HOA

Former football legends Minh Nhi and Quoc Cuong presented two signed footballs to the Board of Directors of Dong Thap University - PHOTO: KHA HOA

 

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cong-nham-lap-hat-trick-minh-nhi-ghi-cu-dup-tao-kich-tinh-tai-truong-dh-dong-thap-185250724224027841.htm