PM awards certificates of merit to U23 team members

The awardees include 21 players and head of the Vietnamese delegation, coaches, technical manager, interpreter and doctors of the team.

The Vietnam's U23 football team celebrates after securing the tight win against Qatar in the semifinal of the AFC U23 Championship

In addition, PM Phuc also proposed President Tran Dai Quang to present a first-class Labour Order to the whole team and third-class Labor Orders to coach Park Hang-seo, goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung and midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai.

Vietnam became the first Southeast Asian country to enter the final of the championship after beating Qatar 4-3 in the penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in the official time of the semifinal.

It was the second match in a row in this tournament in which Vietnam had to play more than 120 minutes. The players were exhausted, but this did not prevent them from enjoying victory for the second time.

Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung saved two kicks from Qatari players while Nguyen Quang Hai, who scored both goals for Vietnam in the match, failed to beat keeper Mohammed Al Bakari.

Defender Vu Van Thanh was the last player to shoot the penalty for Vietnam. Millions of people held their breath and burst into tears of happiness when he succeeded.

The Vietnamese team will play against Uzbekistan in the final on January 27.

Vietnam’s Consulate General in Shanghai has asked the tournament organizing committee and local authorities to create favorable conditions for and take measures to ensure security and safety for Vietnamese fans who will come to Changzhou to support the Vietnamese team, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vietnamese fans are advised to contact citizen protection hotlines of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Shanghai at +86.21.68555698; +86.13636427223; +86.13262651727; and the number +84.981848484 in Vietnam in case they need emergency assistance.

Source: VNA