Thousands flood Hanoi streets to welcome U23 football team home
>> Vietnam comes second at AFC U23 Championship
Thousands of supporters packed the streets in Hanoi on Sunday to watch the Vietnamese U23 football team's open-top parade in celebration of their success at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship.
Vietnam became the runner-up at the AFC U23 Championship after losing 1-2 to Uzbekistan in the final in China on January 27. Although the Vietnamese team did not win the final match, many local football supporters said they were still very happy with the players' performance in the tournament.
The U23 team arrived at Noi Bai International Airport at 1pm on January 28 and were welcomed by deputy PM Vu Duc Dam, leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, their family and lots of football fans.
The team were greeted by thousands of fans who lined some 30 kilometres along the streets from the airport to the Government Office waving the national flags.
At the Government Office, the team was presented certificates of merit by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for their outstanding performance at the AFC U23 Championship 2018.
PM Phuc also presented a first-class Labour Medal to the U23 team and three third-class Labour Medals to head coach Park Hang-seo, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung for their excellent contribution at the tournament.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented third-class Labour Medals to head coach Park Hang-seo, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung for their excellent contribution at the AFC U23 Championship 2018 on January 28.
Under Park, Vietnam ranked second in Group D with four points. They defeated Iraq in the quarter-finals and Qatar in the semi-finals becoming the first Southeast Asian country to enter the final round of the championship.
Hai scored five goals out of eight for Vietnam, including one in the final match on Saturday afternoon.
Dung, meanwhile, was a hero at the goalmouth of Vietnam. He saved four penalties in five matches, in which three were from a penalty shootouts in the quarter-final and semi-final games leading to Vietnam’s victories.
Head coach Park Hang-seo is welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on January 28
Vietnam became the runner-up at the AFC U23 Championship after losing 1-2 to Uzbekistan in the final in China on January 27. Although the Vietnamese team did not win the final match, many local football supporters said they were still very happy with the players' performance in the tournament.
The U23 team arrived at Noi Bai International Airport at 1pm on January 28 and were welcomed by deputy PM Vu Duc Dam, leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, their family and lots of football fans.
Captain Luong Xuan Truong is surrounded by reporters and supporters at Noi Bai Airport on January 28
The team were greeted by thousands of fans who lined some 30 kilometres along the streets from the airport to the Government Office waving the national flags.
At the Government Office, the team was presented certificates of merit by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for their outstanding performance at the AFC U23 Championship 2018.
PM Phuc also presented a first-class Labour Medal to the U23 team and three third-class Labour Medals to head coach Park Hang-seo, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung for their excellent contribution at the tournament.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented third-class Labour Medals to head coach Park Hang-seo, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung for their excellent contribution at the AFC U23 Championship 2018 on January 28.
Under Park, Vietnam ranked second in Group D with four points. They defeated Iraq in the quarter-finals and Qatar in the semi-finals becoming the first Southeast Asian country to enter the final round of the championship.
Hai scored five goals out of eight for Vietnam, including one in the final match on Saturday afternoon.
Dung, meanwhile, was a hero at the goalmouth of Vietnam. He saved four penalties in five matches, in which three were from a penalty shootouts in the quarter-final and semi-final games leading to Vietnam’s victories.
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