Football head coach Park Hang-seo contributes to Vietnam-RoK ties: Official

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Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong (R) presents gift to head coach Park Hang-seo (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting, the municipal official affirmed that relations between Vietnam and the home country of the coach, the Republic of Korea (RoK), have been thriving, including ties between HCM City and localities of the RoK.

In addition to efforts by the two governments, coach Park’s contributions to Vietnamese football have strengthened the countries’ relations, Phong said, adding that aside from his position as a sports figure, the coach is also playing the role of an ambassador promoting the countries’ cooperation.

The official expressed his hope that coach Park and his assistants will develop new football talents for Vietnam’s football in the coming time.

For his part, the Korean head coach said he was able to get along well with Vietnam’s football teams thanks to similarities in the two cultures.

He also voiced his hope that the city will host some matches of the men’s football team in the future.

The head coach and members of the U23 squad are joining a training session in HCM City before leaving for Thailand to compete at the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship, scheduled to begin on January 8.

Earlier, a portrait of Park has been sold for 12,000 USD during an auction at Chon Auction House in Hanoi, with the entire sum going to charity.

Nguyen Phan Huy Khoi, the buyer of the painting, also donated an extra 9,500 for charity.

Entitled "Nguoi Thay Cua Toi" (My Teacher), the oil painting was finished last December by artist Tran The Vinh before the Vietnamese team entered the final of the AFF Championship.

Vinh said he had read a lot about the Korean coach and decided to paint him with his his hand on his chest and singing the Vietnamese national anthem. The red colour behind him evokes Vietnamese national flag.

“I think the image thoroughly expresses the strong temper, courage and sense of responsibility of the Korean coach. I painted with my affection and respect for teacher Park,” Vinh said.

Under the guidance of coach Park, Vietnamese football teams have obtained many achievements, including winning the championship of AFF Suzuki Cup 2018, finished second at the AFC U23 Championships in 2018 and winning the Southeast Asian Games earlier this month./.