Nothing is more sacred than liberation day
"This is the voice of Vietnam, broadcasting from Hanoi ...", the familiar sound rang out on a quiet Monday morning, where coach Mai Duc Chung and his old friends were sitting sipping tea.
In the atmosphere of the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, I played back for Mr. Chung the victory news of the Voice of Vietnam , which was broadcast on April 30, 1975. Memories flooded back, making the 76-year-old strategist, who had lived through two wars, unable to hide his feelings of excitement.
Striker Mai Duc Chung (top row, 6th from left) in the General Department of Railways jersey
PHOTO: DOCUMENT
"I will never forget the day the country was reunified. On April 30, 50 years ago, I was a 26-year-old boy, waiting for news every second on the radio. When I heard the news of victory, I was so happy. It felt like electricity was running through my body. Flags and flowers were flying all over the streets and alleys. We have been waiting for this day for a long time," Mr. Mai Duc Chung recalled.
After enjoying the overwhelming happiness of the moment of independence and freedom, the young man Mai Duc Chung immediately returned to his daily routine. At that time, he was working, training and competing for the Hanoi Van Ca team.
His nickname "xe ca" Chung also came from there. After 3 years playing here, the first turning point came to Mr. Chung in September 1975. The General Department of Railways team contacted the Hanoi Xe ca, asking to bring back the attacking spearhead Mai Duc Chung. He did not know that this decision would lead to a historic moment, which Mr. Chung and the General Department of Railways team would remember forever.
At the Railway General Department team, Mr. Chung received a subsidized salary. He went to work during the day and went to practice in the afternoon, sometimes only having one practice session every few days (in those days, practicing 3 or 4 times a week was considered a lot), but the players still worked hard with the ball. "It was very hard, but we were aware of our responsibility to ourselves. Working and fighting to serve the Fatherland, and playing football to serve the people. The South, where the 'Pearl of the Far East' Ho Chi Minh City is located, was a place the team had never set foot in. We only knew the South through books, but had never been there. The young men of that year only hoped for a chance to go to the South to compete, to play football, and to contribute for the people to watch," Coach Mai Duc Chung confided.
Player Mai Duc Chung
Historic match between General Department of Railways and Saigon Port in November 1976
PHOTO: DOCUMENT
Mr. Chung got his wish. After the liberation day, the Central Committee directed that a friendly football match between the two regions should be organized soon to mark the event of national reunification. However, it was not until the end of 1976 that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor contacted the Ho Chi Minh City Football Confederation and agreed to send the Railway General Department team to the South to play a friendly match. In November 1976, Mr. Mai Duc Chung and the whole team set off.
Historic match
"When we heard the news, we were extremely excited. It was the first time we went to Ho Chi Minh City to see the many faces of our homeland, and it was also the first time we played against teams from the South that we had only heard about. We knew that the Saigon Port team played elegant and elegant football. They played short balls, liked to coordinate small and smooth passes. We also knew that they were very strong, having won the Merdeka Cup in 1966. Saigon Port had central defender Pham Huynh Tam Lang, who was as solid as a 'rock', and many famous players.
However, the Railway General Department team also has its own advantages. Coach Long (Coach Tran Duy Long) guides us to play scientifically and systematically. If their team plays short-range, we play diversely and improvise. Sometimes playing long, sometimes playing close range, overlapping the sidelines or playing in the middle, we all have our own plans," Mr. Chung shared.
Coach Mai Duc Chung (middle) and the Vietnamese women's football team won the SEA Games 6 times.
PHOTO: NGOC DUONG
On the propeller plane, Mr. Chung, Mr. Le Thuy Hai and his teammates were filled with worries. However, all of that disappeared when they landed at the airport, and the whole team was welcomed by a large crowd of fans. Members of the Saigon Port team also came to welcome them, and captain Tam Lang was the one who gave them flowers. They were very happy, and the whole team will never forget that kindness.
Midfielder Mai Duc Chung eagerly looked at the tall buildings in Ho Chi Minh City, waiting every second for the match.
Mr. Chung still remembers the moment when the General Department of Railways team arrived at the training ground, the audience rushed in, competing to touch the thighs and legs. They admired the tall, strong guys, bearing the features of the hardships of the times, but still had style and charisma. They said "but people say that people out there are very skinny, how many people can swing on a papaya stalk without breaking it". And we replied that despite the hardships, the whole team still ate and practiced regularly, now in Ho Chi Minh City to serve the people.
The match was only in the evening, but by noon, the stadium was packed with people. The stands were so full that many people had to climb the walls to see if the Northern football match would be… any good.
The General Department of Railways did not disappoint the audience. Mr. Chung's team dominated the game, played skillfully on the sidelines, making it difficult for the opponent to defend.
Midfielder Mai Duc Chung opened the scoring with a header from Minh Diem's cross, before Le Thuy Hai sealed the 2-0 victory with a long-range shot from near midfield.
Mr. Chung remembers clearly the feeling when scoring in the most special match. "Although I expected it, I didn't think I would feel so happy. I was so happy. I celebrated by swinging my arms, opening my body and mind to receive everything that came. I was aware of the great mission and couldn't believe that I had done it."
After defeating Saigon Port, the General Department of Railways team continued to play friendly matches in the South. Mr. Chung and his teammates only lost one match against Ho Chi Minh City Customs, the rest… won all. It was a trip of a lifetime, which the 74-year-old "general" and his teammates will always remember in their hearts. At the age of 76, Mr. Chung still occasionally meets and chats with his former teammates and opponents.
"We sometimes tell old stories, sometimes ask about family and children. At this age, health is enough. Some people are still alive, some have passed away. I am luckier because I can still work, still prepare lesson plans, and go to the field to fight with the women's team. I still lift weights, occasionally walk and breathe, get enough sleep and have a regular routine. I just hope I am healthy enough to complete my mission," the old "general" confided.
On the morning of April 30, Mr. Chung leisurely looked out onto the street. The red flag with yellow star fluttered in the morning sun. He said that the younger generation must not forget the value of independence and freedom. Of the peace of today that many generations had to forever leave their youth on the battlefield in exchange.
The eyes of "Labor Hero" Mai Duc Chung shine with pride. He has gone through storms and now, in his heart there are only beautiful memories and gratitude for what this life has brought.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-mai-duc-chung-va-ban-thang-dang-nho-nhat-su-nghiep-185250429121645561.htm
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