Pham Thanh Luong (centre), Luong Xuan Truong (left) and Vu Minh Tuan pose with their trophies at the Golden Ball Award ceremony held on January 4 in HCM City (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Midfielder Pham Thanh Luong made national footballhistory on January 4, winning his fourth Golden Ball as the best male playerfor 2016.
Luong, a former member of the national team, who also plays for Hanoi FC, beatfour nominees in the category to take the title at the award ceremony held inHCM City.
The silver went to young midfielder Luong Xuan Truong of Incheon United, whilestriker Vu Minh Tuan of Quang Ninh Coal bagged the bronze.
Truong scored a double, with fans voting him the most favourite player of 2016.
“I want to thank theleaders of the Vietnam Football Federation, Hanoi FC, my teammates and all fanswho strongly supported me in practicing and competing during the whole year. Ipromise to contribute my best to national football,” Luong said in hisacceptance speech.
Luong had a highly successful year in 2016. He was one of key players for HanoiFC as they won the V.League title. His club also came in second at the NationalCup.
The 28-year-old and his team played in the Super National Cup against QuangNinh Coal and lost the game narrowly in a penalty shoot-out.
He was a regular member of the national team before he announced his retirementlast month after Vietnam’s failure at the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup.
Earlier, Luong won the Golden Ball in 2009, 2011 and 2014.
Luong was groomed at atraining centre in Hanoi. He was called to the national team in 2008, the yearwhen Vietnam won their only AFF Cup thus far.
He played 72 matches andscored six goals for the national team. His achievement ranks behind striker LeCong Vinh (83 matches and 51 goals).
The Golden Ball for the female players went to Huynh Nhu of the HCM City team.Her club mates Chuong Thi Kieu and Dang Thi Kieu Trinh grabbed the silver andbronze, respectively.
For the first time, organisers honoured futsal players this year.
With their outstanding performance in both local championships and at thenational level, the Thai Son Nam Club dominated the game.
Tran Van Vu won the top title, followed respectively by Nguyen Minh Tri andNguyen Bao Quan.
In other categories, Gaston Merlo of SHB. Da Nang was voted the best foreignplayer of the year. The striker could not take part in the ceremony yesterdaybecause he is injured. This will probably be the last year that the Argentineanplayer can vie for the title. He has recently granted Vietnamese citizenship.His Vietnamese name is Do Merlo.
The best young male player title went to Vu Van Thanh of Hoang Anh Gia Lai while Le HoaiLuong won best young female player award.-VNA
VNA
