Football

FIVE: Huỳnh Như with her fifth Golden Ball award, a national record. Photo hcmcpv.org.vn

Thanh Hà

Huỳnh Như left Việt Nam after a two-week holiday to return to Portugal where she is playing for Lank FC in the Liga BPI as one of the club's secret weapons.

On her 30-hour journey back to the district of Braga, she brought her Golden Ball for Việt Nam's best female player of 2022. Along with it was a 2022 Fair Play Award that Như and her national squad teammates grabbed after their amazing competition to win Việt Nam's first-ever World Cup berth.

Như is not only continuing her dream, but also a pioneer in playing football abroad. Her success is expected to open the doors for more Vietnamese footballers to play in foreign leagues.

A record maker

Như was named as the winner of the Golden Ball statue for the fifth time on February 25, making her the most winning player in history.

With many years of outstanding performance, Như has been on the top podium since 2019. She has not been out of the top three since 2015.

JUBILANT: Huỳnh Như (left) celebrates her first goal scored for Lank FC last November. Photo of Lank FC

Under the belt of the 31-year-old striker is a huge collection of achievements. Over the past 15 years, she has won seven national championship titles with HCM City FC, five Golden Balls, one Silver Ball, and one Bronze Ball. She also secured three Southeast Asian Games trophies and the most honoured of all, a World Cup place.

Như's top level lured several European club scouts and she was offered contracts to play abroad three times.

After failing to go out twice because of the pandemic, she finally signed a one-year contract with Lank and became the first Vietnamese female player playing in Europe.

"The first months were really tough for me. I had to deal with many difficulties because everything -- climate, weather, ways of working and practice and language -- were strange and different to me," said Như.

"Playing abroad is my dream. Even if I weren't successful, I still have a new experience and am a better version of myself. I have no secret, just try to work hard and enjoy my new life. When the opportunities come, I will catch them and show my abilities.

"I also accept challenges. I don't care how hard. I am patient and will never give up." ‏‏ ‏

‏Như said support from the club and my teammates helped her gradually adapt to the new environment. Encouragement from home also pushed her, and now she has almost integrated with footballing life in Portugal.

Six months have passed and Như has proved her high qualities with six goals and three assists in the first 13 appearances, becoming the second-best scorer of the club but the most productive and effective striker based on minutes she has played on the field.

TEAM PLAYER: Như (second, left) has integrated well in a new football environment. Photo of Lank FC

Lank ranked Như as their third-best player in the 2022-23 season. She was voted player of the match in one game of the Portuguese Liga BPI and advanced to the Best XI of the sixth round last November.

Her success brought her Việt Nam's Golden Ball title once more.

"The title is a great award for me, along with a year of happiness with a SEA Games gold and World Cup slot. I am happy to take the statue for the fifth time. Looking back on my journey, I still think that I need to work harder and be better," said Như.

"I have many stories to talk about from my six months in Portugal, but in short it has been a wonderful experiment for me."

Hope for all

‏Như knows the disadvantages of her small size and fitness when compared with European players. But she also knows how to balance her weaknesses by using her skilful technique, agile moves and superior tactical thinking.

DUO: Như and a Mexican teammate. Photo courtesy of Huỳnh Như

Speaking about his Vietnamese player, coach Daniel Pacheco said Như was well integrated with the team and quickly set up a good relationship with the other players. The coach sees her as a striker with good technique and a sharp eye for goal.

Nene Miranda, Lank president, said Như was a big surprise for the club. She merged well and became a crucial part of the team quickly.

Miranda is satisfied with the newcomer and the club being in sixth position in the league.

Meanwhile Việt Nam head coach Mai Đức Chung remarked: "She is good at running off the ball, choosing the right position and handling the ball smartly. She also avoids collisions with big, tall and strong rivals as much as possible.

"This helps Như create chances to score. Most of her six goals were scored this way. She is a master in long-distance and short-distance finishes as well as free kicks."‏

Chung said he was not surprised by Như shining in Portugal because apart from her technique and speed, she was a fast learner, sociable and also very confident.

“Như is a very promising player. After her success, many others will look at and follow her. Their going out to sharpen their skills and collect more knowledge will be good for Vietnamese football," Chung said.

After months experiencing the high speed and intensity of football in Europe, Như believes that more Vietnamese women footballers could definitely play, not only in Portugal but other European countries.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Như helps Việt Nam successfully defend their regional title at the 31st SEA Games. VNA/VNS Photo

"But the first quality they need is confidence. I have learnt a lot here, and confidence is vital. It must be the top element in your mind if you want to go abroad, then the others such as determination and effort," Như said.

"I don't think about success or failure in this, but I hope to open the doors for Vietnamese women's football to the world. This will improve our football quality." VNS

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