International media lauds heart and prospects of Vietnam’s U23 squad
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) predicted a positive future for the Vietnamese U23 football players after they got the silver medal at the AFC U23 Championship in China.
International media lauds heart and prospects of Vietnam’s U23 squad.
|
Following the three-week tournament in Changzhou, China, theVietnamese U23 squad became the first Southeast Asian team to progress to the finals of the continental tournament. “Vietnam may have ultimately lost the finals, but the results in China point to a positive future,” the article said.
AFC also described Vietnam as “penalty kings,” stating: “Vietnam led the way in penalties conceded by giving away three, two of which were converted, in their six games. (…) The Southeast Asians ended up spot-kick kings after emerging victorious from the tournament’s only two penalty shootouts.”
In addition to the praise for the great progress in Vietnamese football, AFC also recognized the success of Southeast Asian football as two out of the eight teams from the region—Vietnam and Malaysia—progressed to the knock-out rounds for the first time.
Besides AFC, global media company Forbes also ran an article on its website, stressing that the Vietnamese football team’s performance at the AFC U23 Championship is clear proof for the success of youth training.
Recalling the team’s path to the finals, the article wrote that Vietnam had defeated regional favourites like Australia and Iraq, and topped “money-soaked squads” from rich countries like Qatar.
In their third consecutive match that went into overtime, the team only lost to Uzbekistan in the last minute of the final match. Though they claimed no champion trophy, “their performance has garnered attention from around the world and shows promise for Vietnam’s football horizon. Vietnam's success proves you don't have to invest huge sums of money, but you do need time,” the article affirmed.
Meanwhile, in an article on Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review, Atsushi Tomiyama wrote, “The U23 team's trip to theAsian finals fosters the sense of national camaraderie.”
The national team's first-ever appearance in the finals of the AFC U23 championship triggered mass celebrations across the country, despite the narrow defeat in Saturday’s finals.
“Soccer is Vietnam's biggest sport. The response was similarly riotous when the national team won the ASEAN Football Federation's Suzuki Cup in 2008,” Atsushi Tomiyama explained.
The enthusiasm is understandable, Atsushi Tomiyama wrote, adding that the momentous soccer games have brought the Vietnamese people closer together.
16:23, 2025/01/06
A glimpse of the 24K gold Lunar New Year 2025 Snake Mascot
As the Year of the Snake draws near in 2025, this revered creature takes on a special significance, symbolizing prosperity, smooth transitions and success for the coming year.
22:29, 2025/01/01
Hanoi celebrates New Year 2025 with art exhibitions
Art exhibitions are a great way to hang out during Hanoi's New Year celebrations.
11:38, 2024/12/31
Countdown events and fireworks to welcome New Year 2025 in Hanoi
With the New Year just around the corner, let The Hanoi Times take you on a tour of the most exciting celebrations taking place in Hanoi!
21:56, 2024/12/29
"Pho Ganh" vendor sculpture represents Hanoi's culinary street
A bronze statue of a street vendor has been erected on Hanoi's food street as a way to honor pho, a unique and popular specialty in the capital.
21:54, 2024/12/29
A look at the cycle of the four seasons in the exhibition "Tet Ty"
Snakes on ceramic plates, embossed snakes on Huong Canh vases, colored powder snakes - using many different artistic techniques, the group of artists G39 presents to the public portraits of the mascot of the year At Ty 2025.
14:43, 2024/12/25
Hanoi streets host works by German artists
Integrating art into the local social fabric, this project is an example of vibrant collaboration and artistic exchange.
- “Happy Vietnam” photo exhibition opens in Thailand
- Hanoi's beauty through watercolors
- Postage stamp honors Hanoi poet
- HABECO – The spirit of Vietnam rising
- Dancing through cultures: Hanoi celebrates the 12th Night of Latin American Music
- The 12th Night of Latin American Music: Celebrating Culture and Friendship