* PM congratulates Vietnam’s women’s team on AFF Cup success
* Huynh Nhu’s extra-time goal helps Vietnam clinch AFF Women’s Championship trophy
Vietnamese women had an amazing journey in Chonburi, Thailand, winning the group stage while scoring 21 goals and keeping three clean sheets before defeating the Philippines (quarterfinals) and Myanmar (semifinals) to set up a final meeting against title holders Thailand.
During the nail-biting title decider, the Vietnamese players fought bravely to edge past the hosts 1-0 thanks to Huynh Nhu’s extra-time goal, thereby clinching the third regional trophy in history (after 2006, 2012) and denying the Thais a fourth title in a row.
At the Friday awards ceremony, Mai Duc Chung and his players received VND1.3 billion (US$55,900) as committed by the VFF, including VND600 million for the overall crown, VND300 million for the semifinal and VND400 million for reaching the final.
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The women's national team receives the bonuses from the sponsor Vinamilk. (Photo: VFF)
As the main sponsor of the national teams, the Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (Vinamilk) presented a cash bonus of VND500 million (US$21,500) and another VND500 million worth of nutrition products. In addition, Vinamilk offered the women’s squad a sight-seeing trip to the Vinamilk Organic Farm in Lam Dong province’s Da Lat city, as a special gift, helping the players and the coaching staff to relax with new experiences after a tense competing journey.
Also, the newly women’s AFF Cup champions received a bonus of VND500 million from the Vietnam Olympic Committee.
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The women's team get the bonus from the Vietnam Olympic Committee. (Photo: VFF)
Speaking at the event, VFF General Secretary Le Hoai Anh hailed the companionship of sponsors, including Vinamilk, as an important catalyst for the progress of Vietnam’s women’s football as a whole and the women’s national team in particular.
The VFF believes that with the support and encouragement from many sides, female players will feel more assured to continue sacrificing and performing brilliantly in tournaments, especially at the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines later this year, he said.
On behalf of the national team, centre back Hong Nhung expressed her gratitude to the VFF and the sponsors for their care and companionship, affirming that she and her teammates will continue to exert great efforts to achieve success in future tournaments.
