On February 4, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) held a ceremony to thank coach Mai Duc Chung. The 2-year-old coach officially retired from his glorious football career. The Year of the Dragon 73 is the first time Mr. Chung has had a complete Tet with his family after many years of sacrificing for football.
“My wife is the happiest”
"The person who wants me to stay home for Tet the most is my wife. Just like everyone else, I buy and sell just enough for Tet. To me, the best part of Tet is the spirit. When she knew I was staying home, my wife always smiled. All material purchases are not so important, for her the happiest thing is that her husband is home to celebrate Tet", Coach Mai Duc Chung smiled happily.
Coach Mai Duc Chung and Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc Uyen.
On the cold days of Hanoi's winter, it was no surprise to the owner of the famous chicken pho on Phu Doan street when Mr. Mai Duc Chung brought a briefcase to buy pho for his wife. He travels by personal motorbike, dresses simply and always has a smile on his face. This year, Mr. Chung does not have to go far.
Tet Giap Thin 2024 is the most special Tet in over 20 years for coach Mai Duc Chung. For those who work as football coaches, they do not have much time to spend with their families during holidays and New Year because of the nature of their work. Sometimes, coaches have to leave home for less than 5 days.
"I have to say that this Tet year I can really be at home with my family. I celebrate Tet happily and warmly and I don't have to worry about anything. For many years, I have always worried about training plans and plans for next year's season. I have to make lesson plans and many other things. My mind is very comfortable, this year I can really rest and reunite with my family.
It's really been a long time since I've had a Tet like this year. Sometimes I get to celebrate Tet at home, but it's only for a few days, which is very short. That's a thing of the past. This year I can rest assured", coach Mai Duc Chung was excited.
Mrs. Pham Thi Ngoc Uyen - wife of coach Mai Duc Chung still shops simply at Ngoc Ha market. Mrs. Uyen bought vegetables, meat, and necessities to provide for her husband, children, and grandchildren a full Tet. It's been a long time since Mr. Chung stayed home for such a long time during Lunar New Year. Perhaps, after many years of not being "satisfied" with Tet, Mrs. Uyen is really the happiest person as her husband said.
Coach Mai Duc Chung smiled and said: “When she knew I was staying home, my wife always smiled. All material purchases are not so important, for her the happiest thing is that her husband is home to celebrate Tet".
Saying goodbye is the hardest thing
October 31 is a special milestone for coach Mai Duc Chung as well as many students. That was his last training session with the Vietnamese team. Huynh Nhu and her teammates faced the Japanese team - a mountain that Vietnamese women's football can hardly overcome in the near future.
Coach Mai Duc Chung said goodbye to Vietnamese women's football.
Player Tran Thi Duyen recalled: “It was a very emotional session. The ladies encouraged us to work harder and try harder to be able to thank coach Mai Duc Chung with an impressive match. However, Mr. Chung did not say much about farewell or goodbye at all. Uncle wanted us to practice".
Coach Mai Duc Chung does not say too many sweet words to the female players. Mr. Chung is warm and caring like a father, but also strict. Everything in the Vietnamese women's team has a framework.
"I think saying goodbye to the players is the most difficult thing. We have a long time working together. In the meeting before the last training session, I just said a few things to make you understand, there is still a match. But from deep inside, I cherish everyone's feelings", coach Mai Duc Chung said.
Every relationship will eventually come to an end. Coach Mai Duc Chung confided that he often lies down and thinks about how his job has worked for many years. He was satisfied when he helped the Vietnamese women's team win tickets to attend the 2023 World Cup.
Vietnamese football still has worries that make coach Mai Duc Chung worried: "I also think about unfinished things. Women's football actually hasn't developed much, and there are still many disadvantages. I don't compare it with men's football, but with many Southeast Asian countries. What should we do to get more attention for women's football?
Mai Phuong
