A tearful farewell.

A feeling of emptiness

The encounter with strong opponent Japan in the second round of the 2024 Olympic qualifiers on November 1st in Uzbekistan marked the end of coach Mai Duc Chung's glorious coaching career. Although the Vietnamese women's team lost, the 74-year-old coach could feel relieved. "Although we couldn't win, I'm pleased with the spirit the players showed on the field. I was worried about a crushing defeat. Vietnam once lost to Japan 0-7 at the 19th Asian Games, but this time the score was only 0-2. That's already a great success for the whole team. I'm so moved I'm speechless," he shared.

Coach Mai Duc Chung's gentle smile after the Vietnamese women's national team successfully defended their SEA Games 31 gold medal on home soil.

The team will arrive back in Hanoi on November 4th, but "immediately after the match ended, we were overwhelmed with indescribable emotions. A feeling of emptiness was unavoidable. Because from now on, we will no longer see the figure of our respected coach, pacing restlessly in the coaching cabin, no longer hear his familiar voice echoing from the sidelines. All of it will become beautiful, profound memories that we will never, ever forget," one assistant exclaimed.

In football, it's common for coaches to come and go. But it's different with Coach Mai Duc Chung, who has been with the Vietnamese women's national team for a very long time. The bond between coach and players is a core element that has helped the team overcome challenges, experience many emotions together, and ultimately achieve glory. Therefore, the moment of parting was very poignant. After the match against Japan, all members of the Vietnamese women's national team stayed on the field for a long time to express their thoughts and feelings, and to capture these truly sacred moments with Coach Mai Duc Chung.

"The yearbook" is full of emotions.

Captain Huynh Nhu joined the national team in 2011 and has been working with coach Mai Duc Chung for almost a decade. The number one striker of the Vietnamese women's national team, on behalf of the entire team, presented coach Mai Duc Chung with a very special number 9 jersey. The white jersey became a "memoir" filled with heartfelt messages and wishes from everyone.

The Vietnamese women's team brilliantly won the gold medal at the 31st SEA Games, thanks in large part to coach Mai Duc Chung.

Recalling the moment when Coach Chung affectionately placed the captain's armband on her arm, the girl from Tra Vinh couldn't help but choke up: "I remember the first day I trained with him, that year he sent me back to my club. He even told me to try harder. From then on, I tried very hard to return to the national team. Thanks to him, we have the Huynh Nhu of today. From a teacher with a warm heart, I learned love and humility." Goalkeeper Kim Thanh couldn't hide her emotion as she said goodbye to Coach Mai Duc Chung at the very place where she was given her first opportunity: "In 2019, here, he trusted me and gave me the opportunity to play and achieve more success than expected. In 2023, also here, he said goodbye to me and Vietnamese women's football. Thank you, great teacher, respected father."

Bich Thuy's heartfelt handwritten letter

Midfielder Bich Thuy also expressed her feelings in a handwritten letter. "I wanted to write so much to you, but I never knew where to begin. I only know to send you so much thanks. The day I first joined the national team was also the day you guided me through all the challenges and difficulties. I am so happy and proud that we have shared so many beautiful memories," the girl from Quang Ngai confided. Former national team player Bui Thi Hien Luong, a midfielder from the golden generation of Vietnamese women's football, who once served as an assistant to coach Mai Duc Chung, said with emotion: "Although we knew this day would come, we are still very moved and cannot hold back our tears on the day we say goodbye to Coach Chung. We miss him, a man who dedicated his whole life to football."

Although coach Mai Duc Chung is no longer leading the national team, what he has done for Vietnamese women's football will always be a precious legacy that will never fade from the hearts of fans. As striker Huynh Nhu said: "For Vietnamese women's football, he will be forever."

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