Football

Striker Huỳnh Như of Lank FC (centre) wins the record of fifthe Golden Ball award on February 25 in HCM City. Photos of organisers

HCM CITY — Huỳnh Như has won the Golden Ball award for a recording fifth time while Nguyễn Văn Quyết was delighted to pick up the prize in the men's category for a second time. 

The ceremony was held on February 25 in HCM City.

The Golden Ball title was first given in 1995 to the nation's best male player by Sài Gòn Giải Phóng (Liberated Sài Gòn) newspaper. It then opened to women; young men and young women plus foreign footballers and futsal players.

Thanks to an amazing 2022, Như won her fifth title, her fourth in a row, making her the most successful athlete in the football community.

“It has been a long journey that required a lot of effort and commitment," said Như.

"I have never stopped working hard to reach the goals that I set for myself. I don't do it to win record awards but to bring the best possible results for my club and country.

"I must express my sincere thanks to coaches and teammates of HCM City and Lank FC as well as those of the national squad who have supported me in the past year."

In 2022, she helped HCM City secure a double winning the national championship and national cup. She was captain of the national team that won SEA Games gold and a place at the World Cup, a first for Việt Nam.

She also became the first Vietnamese female footballer to play abroad. The striker moved to Portuguese Lank FC last August and made a dream start with six goals and two assists, the second-highest scorer in her team.

The Silver Ball went to Trần Thị Thùy Trang and the Bronze Ball to Nguyễn Bích Thùy, both from HCM City.

On the men's side, Quyết said his second Golden Ball would push him up to not only contribute to Hà Nội FC but also to the national team.

"I push myself to always work hard and I promise to do my best for the national football," said Quyết.

Striker Nguyễn Văn Quyết receives his second Golden Ball from a representative of organisers.

"It is a long journey to reach this success and enjoy happiness but they are not the final targets. As the journey continues, I will have to improve to be my best on the field.

"It is my honour to win the second Golden Ball which recognised my hard work throughout the year. Thank you for voting for me," he said.

In the previous season, striker Quyết brilliantly shone in the domestic leagues with nine goals. He captained Hà Nội to take a hattrick of titles: V.League 1, National Cup and National Super Cup. He received MVP of the V.League 1 award. At the national level, he took silver with Việt Nam at the AFF Cup 2022.

Striker Nguyễn Tiến Linh of Becamex Bình Dương earned the Silver Ball and midfielder Nguyễn Hoàng Đức of Viettel, last year's winner, won the Bronze Ball. 

Goalkeeper Hồ Văn Ý of Thái Sơn Nam won his second Golden Ball in a row for best futsal player.

"It is the fifth time in a row that I am on the stage and the second time for the most valuable title," said Ý. 

"Whatever award received, I feel proud and happy because it was love and support from people to me."

2022 Golden Ball trio Hồ Văn Ý, Huỳnh Như and Nguyễn Văn Quyết.

"Winning the Golden Ball is difficult but being the best for a second year in a row is much harder. The award will make me more responsible in both training and competing to meet supporters' trust," he said. 

Khổng Đình Hùng of Sahako and Châu Đoàn Phát of Thái Sơn Nam grabbed Silver Ball and Bronze Ball, respectively.

Khuất Văn Khang of Viettel and Vũ Thị Hoa of Hà Nội were honoured as the best young male and female players of the year. Jamaican forward Rimario Gordon of Bình Dương was the best foreign player of 2022. VNS