🇻🇳Vietnam U23 - ❤️A football Journey To Be Proud Of

Football is like a religion where I'm from; people are so passionate about the game.

Being here in Vietnam for the AFC Final on Saturday, brought back some incredible memories, I'd like to share.

The similarities between the Scottish and Vietnamese football fans are comparable. The love I felt watching the football on Saturday, i've only felt in Scotland or on my travels with my team.

Let's go back in time, It was 2003

For me my lasting memory was travelling to Seville, Spain to watch my team Celtic FC in the final of the UEFA Cup 2003.

Source Celtic Wiki

There were estimated to be over 80,000 Celtic fans that travelled to Seville. At the time I was only 22 years old! No matter what, I was going to the game!

Flying to Spain was almost impossible unless you had lots of money. All the airlines had jacked up the prices to take advantage of the travelling supporters.

I ended up flying to Portugal and travelling by bus to Seville on match day!

This was the most incredible football journey I have been part of. The streets of Seville were full of green and white, with people singing, dancing, drinking and having fun with the locals.

In the end, we didn't win the final. Celtic lost to a strong FC Porto team, who at the time was managed by Jose Mourinho (now Manchester United manager). Like Vietnam U23 we lost the game in Extra Time, losing 3-2.

The fighting spirit of Celtic was unbelievable, and they will forever be my heroes.

Vietnam!!! I've never seen anything like it!

My love for Vietnam is now stronger! I'm proud to live here and proud to call it my home.

Vietnam's U23 team, fought hard to make the final of the AFC U23 cup. Beating Australia, Iraq and Qatar to reach the final against Uzbekistan U23.

The Vietnamese people were so supportive of their battling U23's. With each game, more and more people took to the streets to either watch or celebrate the wins.

I feel the players took motivation knowing the support back home.

Day of the Final

The first decision for me was where to watch the game. There were many bars, coffee shops, anywhere with a TV showing the game.

For me, there was only one place I could consider watching it. Nguyen Hue Street, a long paved pedestrian street in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

There were about ten giant screens set up the full stretch of the street.

I squeezed into the crowd of people who were all wearing the colours of the Vietnamese flag. I too was proudly wearing my red t-shirt with a yellow star.

As I looked up at the giant screen, I actually couldn't imagine the game being played! The SNOW was so bad at the Chinese stadium, blanketing the pitch in a thick layer of white snow. I've never seen a game played in conditions like it.

However, the game started!

The fans were chanting and singing with all their hearts. Nguyen Hue Street was electric!

The game was a bit scrappy due to the snow, with players sliding and struggling to keep control.

I felt it was going to be a bit of luck to win this game due to the playing conditions.

Uzbekistan took the lead in the first 8 minutes making it 1-0. Vietnam stayed firm even after that early blow and was later gifted an opportunity in the 41st minute.

Vietnam was given a free kick just outside the penalty box. With the weather conditions, this was likely going to be one of the best chances to score.

I had a good feeling about this freekick. I was just saying to myself "just hit the target boy!" the keeper would unlikely be able to save a fast-moving snowy ball!

Nguyen Quang Hai cleared the snow around the ball, stepped up and sent the ball perfectly into the back of the net! Making himself a hero!

Nguyen Hue street erupted with smiling happy faces all cheering, blowing horns and waving flags frantically.

Second half

Kick off was delayed to clear the pitch. Which I feel lost the momentum that was gained by the Vietnamese team in the first half.

With both teams battling, no goals were scored, and the game went into extra time.

A nervous extra time ended with Uzbekistan scoring in the last minute of the game, ensuring their victory.

It's a sickening moment for any football fan losing in the final minute.

I couldn't believe what happened next

Instead of going home and feeling disappointed. The people took to the streets as if they had won the cup.

The solidarity of the Vietnamese was heartwarming.

Downtown Ho Chi Minh City was buzzing with motorbikes with people smiling and waving flags and chanting Viet Nam Vo Dich over and over.

This went on until at least 3 am.

My love for Vietnam is stronger than ever, you should be very proud of what you achieved.

❤️🇻🇳Việt Nam vô địch🇻🇳❤️

Keep it real
Derek

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