Prime Minister: The taste of victory lasts forever, but Vietnamese football must win the Asian championship and attend the World Cup

This afternoon (January 6), at the Government headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met, congratulated and commended the national men's football team after the team won the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 championship.

Vietnam team and the 3rd AFF Cup championship trophy in history - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Also attending were Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long, leaders of ministries, branches, central agencies, and members of the national men's football team participating in the AFF Cup 2024.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, presented noble awards to the team and its members. Accordingly, the team was awarded the First Class Labor Medalby the President . Players Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Duy Manh, Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Hoang Duc, and Nguyen Dinh Trieu were awarded the Third Class Labor Medal by the President.

The Prime Minister also awarded Certificates of Merit to 29 individuals of the team. Currently, the agencies are continuing to implement procedures to submit to competent authorities to award other noble rewards to individuals with outstanding achievements.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh personally came to watch the Vietnamese team compete in the second leg of the semi-final and the first leg of the final of the AFF Cup 2024 at Viet Tri Stadium - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Speaking in congratulatory and praising speech to the team, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that until now, he is still emotional about the team's very long journey in this tournament, from training to competing and winning.

"It was an emotional journey that culminated in the final match, especially the last goal by player Nguyen Hai Long when the ball slowly rolled into the net with the opponent helpless before the strength of our team. It was a gentle and sweet feeling, sublimating our victory," the Prime Minister shared simply.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the results achieved were thanks to the investment and attention of the Party, State and people, thanks to the efforts of the Vietnamese sports industry, with ups and downs and this result is a breakthrough; thanks to the fans who have always loved, accompanied and supported the team, always filled with love and affection.

On behalf of General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Standing member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu and leaders of the Party and State, the Prime Minister congratulated and thanked the team, generations of players, coaches and team members, thanking them for a sweet victory, after a high-level, dramatic match between the two strongest teams in Southeast Asia.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met, congratulated and praised the national men's football team - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Notably, according to the Prime Minister, this is the first time we have brought the regional championship trophy back to the country from abroad; the team ended the tournament with 7 wins, 1 draw and undefeated, setting a record for the number of wins (7 matches) at the ASEAN Cup, in the 29-year history of the tournament, no team has done this in a single competition. The team ended the AFF Cup 2024 with 21 goals, the best achievement in the history of the tournament (record of 21 goals scored in 2002). For the first time, Vietnam had a player win both the top scorer and best player titles of the tournament (player Nguyen Xuan Son). Goalkeeper Dinh Trieu of the Vietnam team also won the title of best goalkeeper of the tournament.

Captain Do Duy Manh, on behalf of the Vietnam National Team, respectfully presented Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with the AFF Cup 2024 Championship Medal - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

"The team's results have delighted Vietnamese people at home and abroad, international friends, created great motivation and inspiration for the entire nation; demonstrated the aspiration to conquer new heights," the Prime Minister emphasized and said that during the afternoon reception on January 6, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations shared joy and congratulated Vietnam, and congratulated the "golden star warriors".

This result is thanks to the utmost efforts of the entire team over many years of working together; the fulcrum of national solidarity, the love and support of fans and people across the country under the leadership of the Party; the care of the Football Federation and those working in Vietnamese sports.

The Prime Minister stated that in the coming time, football and the sports industry in general must continue to develop, together with the nation, striving to develop civilization and prosperity - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

"The taste of victory will last forever, what comes from the heart will touch the heart, but the road ahead is still very long," the Prime Minister shared and stated that in the coming time, football and the sports industry in general must continue to develop, together with the nation to develop richly, civilizedly and prosperously.

To do so, we, those who work in sports, those who work in football, must not be intoxicated, "fall asleep" with victory but must continue to strive, make efforts to develop top-level sports, in which football, from this victory to gain more confidence, spirit, momentum to do the next work, to conquer ourselves, overcome our own limits, make the next victories, bigger victories, not to disappoint, not to disappoint the love of fans. The Prime Minister set a goal for Vietnamese football to strive to win the Asian championship and participate in the World Cup.

Prime Minister awards First Class Labor Medal to Vietnam Team - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On this occasion, the Prime Minister sent his regards, encouragement and best wishes to player Nguyen Xuan Son as well as other injured players; especially appreciated Nguyen Xuan Son's affection for Vietnam; believed that with a strong will, the players will soon recover their health, come back stronger, continue to contribute and join the national team to affirm the position of Vietnamese football in the regional and international arena.

The Prime Minister awarded the Third Class Labor Medal to player Nguyen Quang Hai - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister hopes and believes that this victory of the team will motivate and inspire all of us to continue turning difficulties and challenges into opportunities to surpass ourselves in all areas.

The Prime Minister said that according to information so far, businesses and units have awarded the team about 6 billion VND. At the meeting, the State Capital Management Committee at Enterprises mobilized and supported about 5 billion VND; businesses: Petrovietnam, Viettel and VPBank supported the team with 2 billion VND each.

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