The Viet Nam Golden Ball 2019 Award Gala will be held on in Ho Chi Minh City on May 26.

Some of the 2019 Golden Ball candidates (from left to right) Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Quang Hai and Doan Van Hau (Photos: hanoimoi.com.vn)

The winner will be selected from midfielders Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Quang Hai, defender Doan Van Hau and striker Nguyen Van Quyet of Hanoi FC. Midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang of Viettel is the only one from another club to make the shortlist.

Dung is favourite for the prize after an outstanding season for both club and the country. The 2019 season saw Dung on the top podium at the V.League 1, National Cup, Super National Cup, and the 30th SEA Games. Dung helped Hanoi FC become the first Vietnamese team to reach the AFC Cup’s Inter-zonal final.

On the women’s side, Phong Phu Ha Nam’s midfielder Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung is expected to win the statue for the second time in a row. While other candidates are Chuong Thị Kieu, Cu Thi Huynh Nhu and Tran Thi Kim Thanh of HCM City and Pham Hai Yen of Hanoi.

Organisers will also present award to futsal players, best young male and female players and best foreign player of the year.

The Golden Ball Award is an annual competition organised by Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper to honour individual players who contribute best over the year.

Normally, it is organised at the end of the year or early the following next. However, because there are many sport events that included football held in late 2019 and early January 2020 as well as the coronavirus pandemic, the gala was delayed to May.

At the Gala, the organisers will also honour coaches Park Hang-seo and Mai Duc Chung for what they have contributed to national football.

Source: VNA