Vietnam announces winners of 2021 Golden Ball awards

Nguyen Hoang Duc of Viettel FC won the first Golden Ball award of his career thanks to his major contribution to the men’s national football team at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers and the 2021 AFF Cup, as well as to his club before the 2021 V-League 1 was canceled due to COVID-19.

Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai of Hanoi FC and forward Nguyen Tien Linh of Becamex Binh Duong were announced as the runner-up and third place, respectively, in the men’s category.

Forward Cu Thi Huynh Nhu won the women’s Golden Ball for the third consecutive year and the fourth time in her career.

She was the captain of Ho Chi Minh City Club and the national team that triumphed at the Women’s Football Championship 2021, earning a ticket to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

Forward Pham Hai Yen of Hanoi FC and midfielder Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Nhu’s teammate on Ho Chi Minh City Club and the national team, bagged the Silver and Bronze Ball awards.

The Golden Ball Award in futsal went to goalie Ho Van Y, who enjoyed a successful year with both his club Thai Son Nam FC and the national squad that competed in the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania. 

Y was named as one of the world’s 10 leading futsal goalkeepers in 2021 by futsal news site FutsalPlanet.

Chau Doan Phat and Nguyen Minh Tri, Y’s teammates at both Thai Son Nam FC and the national squad won the second and third prizes.

Head coaches of the women’s national team Mai Duc Chung, men’s squad Park Hang Seo, and futsal team Pham Minh Giang were honored at the ceremony for their contributions to Vietnam football.

The Vietnam Golden Ball has been awarded annually by the Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) daily since 1995 as recognition for the efforts of players who have contributed to the sport in the Southeast Asian country.

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