Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc lavished praise on themen's and women’s football teams after their resounding success in the finalsof the SEA Games against Indonesia and Thailand at the Government Office on December11.
The PM said the men's team had inspired national development.
Speaking at the meeting, head coach Park Hang-seo said he and his team wereunder huge pressure going into the tournament because they had never won goldbefore, while the women’s team had five titles under their belts.
We were determined to win going into the final and received a letter from thePM. I thank the clubs for training my players for this victory. This is for theVietnamese people,” he said.
Head coach of women’s team Mai Duc Chung thanked the Government and fans whosupported the players.
“With solidarity and determination, our girls have done well in every game,” hesaid.
An hour after the team’s victory, several patrons had already committed topresent some 5 billion VND (215,000 USD) for the players.
The team also received congratulations and a bonus of 100 million VND fromPresident of the Vietnam Women’s Union Nguyen Thi Thu Ha.
The Vietnamese women defeated rivals Thailand 1-0 with the only goal scored by HaiYen at the start of extra time, but it was enough for the team to defend theirgold medal./.