Tran Minh Chien: Historic golden goal

Tran Minh Chien's golden volley that tore through Myanmar's net in the semi-finals of the 18th SEA Games in 1995 always holds a special place in the country's sports history, marking the successful international integration of Vietnamese football.

One Time Youth Idol

Vietnamese sports re-joined international sports activities since the 1980 Olympics in the Soviet Union, the 1982 ASIAD in India and the 15th SEA Games in 1989, but the Vietnamese football team only officially re-integrated into international football from the 16th SEA Games in 1991. In particular, the 18th SEA Games in 1995 in Chiang Mai (Thailand) became an unforgettable memory when the Vietnamese team reached the final of men's football.

Minh Chien (2nd from left, standing row) and the Vietnamese team won the runner-up position at the 18th SEA Games in 1995.

PHOTO: DOCUMENT

In that historic feat, Tran Minh Chien's golden goal that sealed the 2-1 victory over Myanmar in the semi-finals of the 18th SEA Games is always mentioned with respect, both because of its symbolism and its beauty: after a chest-stop, Tran Minh Chien unleashed a skillful volley, leaving the Myanmar goalkeeper stunned and the home audience "ecstatic" as if in a trance. Minh Chien's super goal was chosen to be included in the logo of VTV's sports program for a long time, along with other typical sports images. Unfortunately, a knee injury prevented Tran Minh Chien's career from lasting. But the shining moment and the talent of the "killer" in the penalty area named Tran Minh Chien have and perhaps will forever occupy a special place in the history of Vietnamese football development.

Born into a family with a rich football tradition, with his older brother Tran Minh Huy being a striker for the Hai Quan Club and the Ho Chi Minh City team, Tran Minh Chien soon revealed his passion and talent for the ball. After winning third prize in the Ho Chi Minh City U.15 football talent competition at the age of 13, Tran Minh Chien was specially admitted to the Ho Chi Minh City Vocational Talent School 2 years early. At the end of 1991, the 17-year-old Tran Minh Chien graduated and at the beginning of the 1992 season, he immediately won a starting position at the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club - one of the three famous giants of city football at that time. After finishing second in the 1993-1994 season, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club won the 1995 national championship thanks to the great contribution of the "twin strikers" Tran Minh Chien - Le Huynh Duc. The striker duo tore apart every domestic defense, helping the Ho Chi Minh City Police team's attack play both well and effectively. Tran Minh Chien personally won the double title - Top scorer (14 goals) and Best young player. With his handsome appearance and radiant smile, Minh Chien quickly became the new idol of Ho Chi Minh City football fans.

Tran Minh Chien's three surgeries in Germany

Also in 1995, Tran Minh Chien scored 2 goals for the Vietnamese team in the Independence Cup, before becoming a hero at the end of the year with a volley against Myanmar, marking the first time Vietnam reached the SEA Games final after reintegrating into the international community. But the price of the 18th SEA Games victory was too high, when Minh Chien returned to Vietnam with a severely painful knee due to constant tackles from opponents. Minh Chien suffered a serious injury in the match against Cambodia in the group stage, only coming on as a substitute in the semi-final match against Myanmar and scoring the golden goal to seal a 2-1 victory in the 5th minute of injury time. Later, the former player revealed that at that time he had to grit his teeth and play on the field with an unhealed knee, making the knee ligament injury even worse.

Minh Chien (left) left a special mark at the 18th SEA Games in 1995 in Chiangmai (Thailand)

PHOTO: DOCUMENT

In 1996, Minh Chien had to undergo 4 knee surgeries, 3 of which were in Germany. Unfortunately, Tran Minh Chien suffered a relapse of his injury while training with the Vietnamese national team for the 1996 Tiger Cup. The striker born in 1974 had to say goodbye to the football field in tears at the age of 22. The fact that the most talented striker in Vietnamese football had to hang up his boots early left the audience with regret.

The consequences of Tran Minh Chien's injury can be seen as one of the typical stories of the very limited conditions of sports medicine 30 years ago. In fact, Minh Chien's knee had been aching since 1992, when he began to show his talent as a good partner with another legend of Vietnamese football, Le Huynh Duc, in the first team of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club.

Former football star Tran Minh Chien recalled: "At that time, Vietnam's awareness of medical care and rehabilitation was still very rudimentary. When we were injured, we only knew how to apply ice, then soak in hot salt water to relieve the pain. At that time, football doctors were very rare. Football teams did not have their own doctors. Many football teams sometimes had drivers who were also doctors, mainly buying headache medicine for their players. Our players mainly spontaneously passed on their injury treatment methods by word of mouth, not knowing what sports medicine was. When I returned to Vietnam after the 18th SEA Games in 1995, German doctor Moss performed surgery to treat ligament sprains and torn meniscus in my right knee. After that, I was taken to Germany for 3 more surgeries. After hanging up my boots, I also had surgery on my left knee so that I could walk normally when I pursued my coaching career."

HAPPY FOR NEXT GENERATIONS

At this time, Coach Tran Minh Chien has somewhat eased the regret of his unfinished football career when he decided to switch to coaching. He was a member of the coaching staff of the U.20 Vietnam team participating in the U.20 World Cup 2017 in Korea, was an assistant to Coach Hoang Anh Tuan in the Vietnam youth teams and led the U.16 Vietnam team. At the club level, Coach Tran Minh Chien helped Binh Duong Club win the 2018 National Cup and participate in the AFC Cup the following season. The mark in the career of this former striker is also mentioned a lot as the person who laid the first bricks for the leading PVF-CAND Youth Football Center.

Late coach Weigang and his excellent student Tran Minh Chien

PHOTO: DOCUMENT

Looking back at Vietnamese football after 30 years, Coach Tran Minh Chien is very happy: "Along with the development of the Vietnamese economy, Vietnamese football, especially youth training, has made important strides with many youth training centers built across Vietnam. The Vietnam Football Federation has continuously sent coaches, especially young people, to attend specialized football coaching courses, with certificates C, B, A and especially Pro from the Asian Football Federation to grasp the modern trends of continental and world football. Medical care has also made great strides thanks to learning from the experience of foreign experts, especially Korea. I am very happy that young players have been and are being taken care of very well in terms of nutrition, culture, expertise and health. Thanks to that, many Vietnamese players continue to compete at the top level after serious injuries - something that many players of the previous generation were not lucky enough to have, having to retire early". (continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tran-minh-chien-ban-thang-vang-lich-su-185250501224456069.htm