Futsal

Tony Phan (left) and his family who come to support the Việt Nam futsal team at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup in Bangkok. VNS Photos Tâm Hà

BANGKOK - The national futsal team of Việt Nam have been performing well at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup where they also receive strong support of Vietnamese people living in Thailand.

Tony Phan and three-generations of his family waited for a long time next to the bus carrying the Vietnamese players just to say 'congratulation' to Diego Giustozzi and his team for winning the ticket to play in the quarter-finals, getting closer to their target of attending the third World Cup.

When the bus was to leave the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, Tony and all family waved the Việt Nam flag and shouted "Việt Nam - Việt Nam" proudly, while his little son waved to show his love for the team.

The bus suddenly stopped, goalkeeper Hồ Văn Ý ran down and took a souvenir photo with the family.

Giustozzi, after being interviewed by the media, also spent a time chatting and taking photos with Vietnamese fans.

Tony moved to and has been living in Thailand for 20 years. He worked in a fishing farm in Bangkok. Despite being busy with work, he arranged time to drive his family to the stadium to watch all three of Việt Nam's matches.

The former Hanoian said it was not only his love for football and futsal, but love and responsibility for the country.

Coach Diego Giustozzi and his goalkeeper coach (second row) pose for a photo with Vietnamese supporters in Thailand.

“Not only futsal but for all matches of Vietnamese teams in Thailand, my entire family always try to come to cheer," Tony said.

"We always closely follow and accompany Vietnamese players in every match, not wanting to miss any one. We support them to let my children and future generations know about our hometown teams, nurturing love for our fatherland."

Tony knew that coach Giustozzi did not have his strongest players for this Asian tournament. Watching Việt Nam's 2-1 loss to Thailand, Tony said Vietnamese players showed their great effort and gained better results match by match.

He encouraged the team, saying Thailand were one of the continental powerhouses. Having a goal and a second half playing equally with them indicated Việt Nam's better level compared to the past.

“We struggled to have tickets for this match because many Thai supporters also rushed here for cheering the home side. We cheered on the stand while updating the match between Myanmar and China. We were all going crazy when Việt Nam reached the quarter-finals," said Tony.

"Although Việt Nam lost, my family were all happy because both teams advanced to the next stage," Tony said and looked at his Thai wife with a smile.

Also feeling happy with Việt Nam team's performance was famous supporter Phạm Hoài Thanh. He was well-known in the futsal community as he accompanied with the national team in all large and small competitions.

His flight from Đà Nẵng to Bangkok was delayed nearly two hours, making him late for the match. He missed most of the first half.

“I could not come in time but I messaged to encourage captain Phạm Đức Hòa. I watched the team playing in the semi-finals in 2016 and then secure a slot in the World Cup for the first time," said Thanh.

"Now, I dream to see Việt Nam playing in a final. It will be a tough journey but I always have hope and faith in the players."

A Vietnamese supporter with the national flag cheering the national team on the stand.

Thanh's dream is not unrealistic even after many shocks and surprises have happened.

The first one was witnessed by Vietnamese players after they let lower-level Myanmar hold them to a tie 1-1 in the opening match.

And the biggest one was defending champion Japan's elimination after three matches in the group round.

Tony and his family as well as Thanh have bought their tickets for the Việt Nam's next match against formidable Uzbekistan at the Bangkok Arena.

The team were extremely determined and confident, according to Giustozzi, and their fans promised to cheer them tirelessly, hoping Việt Nam will bring home the third World Cup berth. VNS