Tens of thousands welcome heroes home

January 28, 2018 | 19:52
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Tens of thousands of fans endured cold weather to greet Việt Nam’s U23 squad on Sunday as they returned home to celebrate winning a silver medal at the Asian Championship, which closed in China on Saturday.
Tens of thousands of people welcome U23 heroes home. - VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng

Many waited for more than five hours to see their young idols, who lost 1-2 to Uzbekistan in the last minute of the final match, but displayed their great performances throughout the tournament.

Players arrived in Hà Nội at around 1pm and traveled in an open bus from the Nội Bài International Airport to the city centre. Supporters queued up for 30km along the route, many carrying national flags and banderoles, which made the entire city reddish.

They also screamed the names of the players, as well as chanted in chorus: “Việt Nam vô địch” (Việt Nam, the champions).

Supporters make a 30km queue to welcome U23 heroes home. - VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng
Vietnamese players are welcome home by thousands of local fans. - Photo vtv.vn
Vietnamese players bring home silver from the continental championship. They are welcome home like the champions. - Photo vtv.vn
Vietnamese fans wait more than five hours to see the amazing squad. - Photo vtv.vn

“It was a really wonderful tournament for me, as well as for my teammates,” said midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải, sitting atop the bus.

“I believe that it will be difficult to see such a great scene in my career for a second time,” said Hải, who wrapped a flag thrown up by a fan around his neck, while watching people wave on the streets.

“It is unbelievable. I think it will be the first time in history that a team that finished second in a tournament were welcomed like champions,” said former national defender Phạm Như Thuần.

“Many teams in the world receive great welcomes, but none likes this, and it may not happen again in the future,” he said.

Players will meet Prime Minister Nguyễn Văn Phúc at the government office before taking part in a Gala to honour the team’s success at Mỹ Đình Stadium.

Vietnam 1-2 Uzbekistan: Vietnam comes second at Asian U23 Championship Vietnam 1-2 Uzbekistan: Vietnam comes second at Asian U23 Championship

Uzbekistan scored their second goal in the last minute of extra time.

Millions ready to cheer for Vietnam at “fanzone” My Dinh stadium Millions ready to cheer for Vietnam at “fanzone” My Dinh stadium

200-inch LED screens have been set up at My Dinh stadium. In the city's busy streets, a series of shops started selling flags, red shirts, and thigns to cheer on the Vietnamese U23 football team in the finals this afternoon.

Ho Chi Minh City takes to the streets as Vietnam makes football history Ho Chi Minh City takes to the streets as Vietnam makes football history

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PM calls to congratulate VN football team PM calls to congratulate VN football team

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Miracle as Việt Nam march on to Asian U23 Championship final Miracle as Việt Nam march on to Asian U23 Championship final

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A sea of ​​people pour in the streets after the victory of U23 Vietnam A sea of ​​people pour in the streets after the victory of U23 Vietnam

Just a few minitues after U23 Vietnam defeated U23 Qatar in a penalty shootout in the semifinals of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China, millions Vietnamese people across the country poured out the roads to celebrate the historic victory.

Vietnam makes it to AFC U23 Championship final after Qatar win Vietnam makes it to AFC U23 Championship final after Qatar win

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Vietnam to face Qatar in U23 semi-final today Vietnam to face Qatar in U23 semi-final today

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Vietnam make history, shock Asia Vietnam make history, shock Asia

Việt Nam U23’s historic win against Iraq in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Asian Football Confederation U23 Championship shocked the continent’s football community.

Vietnam beat Iraq for Asian U23 champs’ semi-finals Vietnam beat Iraq for Asian U23 champs’ semi-finals

Vietnam continued their dream journey at the Asian Football Conference U23 Championship after beating Iraq 5-3 in the penalty shootout on January 20 in Changsu, China.

Vietnam draw with Syria, entering AFC U23 Championship quarterfinals Vietnam draw with Syria, entering AFC U23 Championship quarterfinals

U23 Vietnam tied goalless with U23 Syria in the last qualifying round match at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship in China on January 17, wining a ticket to the quarterfinals.

VN to make splash at Asian U23 tournament VN to make splash at Asian U23 tournament

Việt Nam’s national head coach Park Hang-seo confirmed that his team would try to pull off a miracle at the upcoming Asian Football Confederation U23 Football Championship in China.

VNA

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