When the love for The Cong team lasts forever.

VHO - On the evening of March 1st, even before the match began, the area around Hang Day Stadium (Hanoi) was already bustling with the presence of a large number of fans, many of whom were wearing military uniforms.

Many children were brought to the stadium by their parents to watch the London derby.

The Hanoi derby between The Cong - Viettel and Hanoi FC is not only a clash between two teams with rich traditions, but also a reunion of many generations of fans, where love for the military uniform is passed down from father to son, from the past to the present.

The derby between the team beloved by fans throughout history – The Cong, now The Cong-Viettel – and Hanoi FC, the pride of Hanoi football, has attracted special attention from football enthusiasts.

Befitting a match steeped in history, the atmosphere in the stands was vibrant throughout the game. The military team, with its glorious history from its days as The Cong to the present, continues to capture the hearts of many generations of fans. The clash with the team owned by Mr. Hien, one of the most successful teams in the V.League, became a true weekend "feast" for the supporters.

At Hang Day Stadium, the majestic sound of "Singing the Marching Song Forever" blended with the incessant chants of "The Cong" from the stands. These sounds were not just words of encouragement, but also a bridge connecting memories. Meanwhile, Hanoi FC fans, though fewer in number, continued to fuel their team, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the derby.

What made this match special wasn't just the technical skill, but also the touching scenes in the stands. Many young children were brought to the stadium by their parents to watch the football game. Mr. Do Manh Viet (Yen Hoa ward, Hanoi) brought his 9-year-old son to the stadium. He shared that his whole family has been passionate about The Cong since the days when players like Trieu Quang Ha, Truong Viet Hoang, and Dang Phuong Nam were still dominating the football field.

Do Manh Viet and his son cheer for The Cong - Viettel.

Through all the changes, even when the team adopted a new name associated with the Viettel Group, his family's love for the military team remains undiminished. For him, taking his children to the stadium is not just about watching football, but also about passing on a part of the memories, a part of the pride.

Ms. Duong Thi Thanh also brought her two sons, one in 4th grade and the other in 2nd grade, to the stadium to watch the soldiers play. “Both of my boys dream of becoming soldiers when they grow up, so they insisted on coming to watch. They really enjoyed cheering for the players, and I was happy too,” Ms. Thanh said. In the eager eyes of the children, football was not just a game, but also a symbol of discipline, spirit, and aspiration.

In the corner of the stands near gate number 7, the conversation between two old friends opened up a different stream of memories. Mr. Tran Anh Dung (from Cua Nam ward, Hanoi), who hadn't been to the stadium in a long time, came today with his old friend, Mr. Nguyen Van Thuan, who is currently working to ensure security and order at Hang Day Stadium.

The two men reminisced about the golden age of The Cong, the era of Cao Cuong and The Anh (Ba Den). "Back then, Ba Den had bow legs but played like Messi," Mr. Dung said, laughing, then asked his friend, "Did you see Khuat Van Khang? My eyesight isn't very good."

The stories, bridging the past and present, continue. For them, each era has a different appearance, but their love for the team representing the Vietnam People's Army – The Cong Club – has never changed. "Each era is different, but The Cong has always been loved by us," the two men shared.

From the young children who come to the pitch today, Vietnamese football will have more talent for tomorrow.

Going back several decades, they recall the days when the stadium was packed with spectators. Any house near the stadium with high windows overlooking it was crowded with people. There was no more room inside the stadium, and fans spilled out onto Hoai Duc Street to get a glimpse of what was happening inside. At one time, because of their passion for football, people were willing to sell their rice to buy tickets.

"Now that the country is developing and there are more forms of entertainment, it's understandable that the stadiums are less crowded. But since Tet (Lunar New Year), after the U23 team won the bronze medal at the U23 Asian Championship, more spectators have returned to the stadiums," Mr. Nguyen Van Thuan shared.

Seeing the elderly people sitting next to the children, watching the fathers and mothers patiently explaining to their children the name The Cong, a name that has spanned many decades, one can see that football is more than just a sport . It is a memory, a source of pride, a thread connecting generations.

Football – with derby matches like these – is acting as a bridge: connecting the Thể Công of the past with the Thể Công - Viettel of the present; connecting legendary players with today's young generation; connecting the love of those who once sold rice to buy tickets with the aspirations of children who dream of becoming soldiers.

As long as the marching anthem still resounds in the Hang Day stadium, and the shouts of "The Cong" are passed from father to son, it's not just the sound of a football match. It's also proof that football, nurtured by tradition and love between generations, will become a solid foundation for building a stronger Vietnamese football in the future.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/khi-tinh-yeu-the-cong-con-mai-207873.html