Viet Nam’s men national football team are the centre of praise from international media after their 3-2 aggregate victory in the final of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup against Malaysia last Saturday at the My Dinh National Stadium.

Glory: Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hands the AFF Suzuki Cup to the Vietnamese team at My Dình Stadium on Saturday night. — VNA/VNS Photo

Sports writer Michael Church from Reuters wrote: “Viet Nam won the Asean Football Federation Championship for the first time in a decade as Nguyen Anh Duc’s volley secured a 1-0 win over Malaysia in the second leg of the final in Ha Noi on Saturday for a 3-2 aggregate triumph.

“Viet Nam last won the regional title in 2008 and Anh Duc’s fine first-half strike ensured Park Hang-seo’s side overcame a robust Malaysia team to send the majority of the sold-out crowd at the My Dinh Stadium into raptures.”

Meanwhile, AP said: “The win showed the progress made by Viet Nam since Park Hang-seo became head coach.”

Malaysia’s New Straits Times had to admit ‘The Golden Dragons’ were determined to press their home advantage early on and Duc took the lead when he volleyed from close range after only six minutes.

Several reports from the home country of coach Park Hang-seo shared their congratulations and excitement over the victory, as the daily Chosunilbo of South Korea commended the “unbeatable” volley from Anh Duc.  

According to a Viet Nam News Agency reporter based in Kuala Lumpur, goalkeeper Dang Van Lam’s inspiring performance earned him rave reviews in Malaysia publications.

With the pride of winning the trophy, the team also secured sizeable monetary rewards.

Besides the $300,000 for the winning team, Hai received $10,000 for the title ‘Best Player of the Tournament’, while Duc was rewarded $43,000 from mobile network operator Vinaphone.

Previously, in the first leg of the final of AFF Cup at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Vinaphone gave $43,000 to central midfielder Nguyen Huy Hung after he scored a goal for Viet Nam.

Truong Hai Auto Corporation (Thaco) has given away $86,000 to the team and 50,000$ to the coach, while securities firm Apec Group announced its reward for Duc as a house in Phu Yen Province worth 51,600 $.

Meanwhile, Be Car App of Be Group Start-up Company gave the team 86,000$, and all members of the team and training board can use the app for free for a year.

Other corporations gave away 172,100$ in total, while the Viet Nam Football Federation rewarded 133,400$ to the team.

Under the Government’s regulation, each player will receive 1,900$.

Therefore, to date, the team has received in cash 860,900$ in total. Previously, after the run to the final of the U23 Asian Championships, they were rewarded 2,199,650$ in total.

(Source: VNS/ DA NANG Today)