Midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc of the Vietnamese men’s national football team and goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh of the women’s national football team were honored as recipients of the 2023 Vietnam Golden Ball Awards at a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday evening.
Duc, 26, delivered a remarkable performance in 2023, contributing to The Cong-Viettel FC’s second-place finish in the National Cup and third-place standing in the top-tier V-League 1.
He netted five goals during the 2023 V-League 1 season, earning recognition as a standout player and clinching the tournament’s best player award.
Nguyen Hoang Duc (C), Pham Tuan Hai (L), and Dang Van Lam receive the 2023 Vietnam Golden Ball, Silver Ball, and Bronze Ball Awards at a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on February 19, 2024. Photo: Quang Thinh / Tuoi Tre |
This marks the second time in his career that Duc has secured the Vietnam Golden Ball title, following his previous triumph in 2021.
The 2023 Vietnam Silver Ball and Bronze Ball honors were bestowed upon striker Pham Tuan Hai of Hanoi FC and goalkeeper Dang Van Lam of MerryLand Quy Nhon Binh Dinh FC, respectively.
Goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh was given the 2023 Vietnam Golden Ball Award at a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on February 19, 2024. Photo: Quang Thinh / Tuoi Tre |
In the women’s category, goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh of the women’s national football team secured the top title for her pivotal role in Vietnam’s gold medal win at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Cambodia and her impressive performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
Striker Huynh Nhu of the national team and her teammate, midfielder Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, clinched the 2023 Vietnam Silver Ball and Bronze Ball titles, respectively.
Goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh was presented with the 2023 Vietnam Golden Ball Award at a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on February 19, 2024. Photo: Quang Thinh / Tuoi Tre |
In futsal, players from Thai Son Nam FC – Pham Duc Hoa, Ho Van Y, and Chau Doan Phat – claimed all three top spots.
Hoa, who also represents the national futsal team, emerged as the recipient of the highest title.
The Silver Ball and Bronze Ball awards were presented to the two remaining players.
Pham Duc Hoa (C), Chau Doan Phat (L), and Ho Van Y receive the futsal Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ball, February 19, 2024. Photo: Quang Thinh / Tuoi Tre |
Among other accolades, Brazilian striker Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes, who scored 16 goals in 20 matches for MerryLand Quy Nhon Binh Dinh FC during the 2023 V-League 1 season, was named the best foreign player.
The Golden Ball title was first given in 1995 to the nation’s best male player by Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper.
It was later opened to women, young men, and young women along with foreign footballers and futsal players.
Brazilian striker Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes (L) receives the Best Foreign Player Award, February 19, 2024. Photo: Quang Thinh / Tuoi Tre |
Tran Van Vu (L) and Pham Thanh Luong receive the Devotion Award, February 19, 2024. Photo: Quang Thinh / Tuoi Tre |
Nguyen Thai Son receives the Best Young Male Player Award, February 19, 2024. Photo: Quang Thinh / Tuoi Tre |
Ngoc Minh Chuyen (L) receives the Best Young Female Player Award, February 19, 2024. Photo: Quang Thinh / Tuoi Tre |
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