The Vietnamese team arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi from Changzhou at 1:00 pm to the exciting welcome of everyone.

A huge number of fans had lined the streets around the airport for hours to wait for the team’s plane to land.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam was among those waiting for the squad at the airport.

A water salute was given to their plane when it touched down, signifying a for-heroes reception for the players and coaching staff.

A double-decker was dispatched to the airport to pick the team up and take them to the Government Office for a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc the same day.

PM Phuc had decided to present them with Government Certificates following their great achievement at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship.

State President Tran Dai Quang has also approved PM Phuc’s proposals to award the First Labor Order the Vietnamese team, the Third Labor Order to goalie Bui Tien Dung and midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, and the Third Labor Order to South Koean coach Park Hang-seo.

Dung blocked many shots and penalties at the championship while Hai scored five times, including one winner and two equalizers.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam (L) welcomes Vietnamese players at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on January 28, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Park took three months to bring the under-23 team to their first-ever continental finale.

The Golden Stars started their campaign on January 11, defeated 1-2 by title favorites South Korea.

They beat giants Australia 1-0 on January 14 before drawing against heavyweights Syria 0-0 on January 17, finishing the group stage as runners-up.

The Reds defeated former champions Iraq 5-3 on penalties in the quarterfinals after a 3-3 draw in 120 minutes on January 20.

The Vietnamese went on to eliminate Qatar in a penalty shootout again following a 2-2 tie in 120 minutes in the semis on January 23.

On Saturday, Vietnam held the Uzbeks to a 1-1 draw until the 120th minute in the final game, covered in thick snow, when a Sidorov header shattered their championship dream and broke millions of hearts back in the Southeast Asian country.

Alongside the silver medal, the Vietnamese players also received the AFC fair-play award.

Fans around Southeast Asia have expressed their admiration for the Golden Stars, saying they made the whole region proud and more confident playing at future tournaments.

The 2018 AFC U23 Championship was held from January 9 to 27, featuring 16 of Asia’s top teams in the age group.

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