Reportedly, “The Cong” FC (formerly known as the Army FC) is the collective name for numerous sports clubs that were founded within the Vietnam People’s Army. Among the clubs, the football team is regarded as one of the best in the history of Vietnamese football.
After 17 rounds of the Vietnam National Football League (V-League) 2019, Viettel FC had 24 points and secured the seventh place in the table. They have netted only 15 goals so far, the lowest number among this year’s participating teams.
Though the club signed with qualified players like midfielder Que Ngoc Hai, midfielder Trong Hoang, striker Minh Tuan, and other foreign players, the V-League newbie’s performance has still remained unstable in their first tough season.
Viettel FC may avoid relegation from the V-League, but they will absolutely face a number of challenges until the end of the season.
It is too early to talk about the 2020 season and from the point of view of the article’s author, it is not an appropriate time for Viettel FC to go back to their former name “The Cong” FC.
During the Vietnam National Football First League (V-League 2) 2018 season, Viettel FC’s head coach Hai Bien shared that the team would have been renamed after The Cong FC for the V-League 2019 season. A decision from the Defense Ministry is expected to be announced at a ceremony to commend Viettel FC for winning the V-League 2 championship and at the same time being promoted to the V-League for the 2019 season.
However, after earning the V-League 2019 promotion, the team’s name stayed unchanged. For many fans, Viettel FC is known by “The Cong” FC. Not long ago, coach Bien shared that the name of The Cong means a great deal to his players. The name will be changed once they play well in the V-League.
However, other people believe that playing for a team under “The Cong” FC name in their first V-League season may put heavy pressure on Viettel’s footballers. This league is known as the toughest arena in Vietnam. This year, Hanoi FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC are in a head-to-head race for the title. Meanwhile, the relegation tussle remains hot as Viettel FC has flirted with the “red-line” several times.
After Korean coach Lee Heung-sil was sacked, under his successor Bien, Viettel FC is prospering. In his statement before his leave, Lee admitted that Viettel FC’s players are still green in the V-League.
If the club’s name returns to “The Cong” FC, no one would ensure that players like Tien Dung, Van Toan, Hoang Duc, Viet Phong, and Manh Dung would perform better than before. Perhaps, players could experience huge pressure when the club is named “The Cong.” Thus, it is reasonable and accurate decision by the leadership of the ministry to not change the name at this time.
In a recent interview, former “The Cong” FC forward Vu Manh Hai shared that he is still sad when learning that “The Cong” FC was dissolved 10 years ago. The decision was announced during a party to celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of the military sports division (the official name of “The Cong” FC). However, according to Hai, it was unavoidable.
Annually, on September 23, former players of “The Cong” FC hold a get-together to recall the good old days. Nevertheless, they all look forward to the reappearance of “The Cong” FC on the Vietnamese football’s map.
In addition, such meetings offer an opportunity for them to reminisce about victories of “The Cong” FC in domestic and international arenas as well as former players in the club’s legendary team.
Hai shared that, above all, young players of Viettel FC, the successor of “The Cong” FC, should train hard, overcome current difficulties, show dedication in order to uphold the traditions of the club, and achieve new heights.
Translated by Van Hieu