Vietnam coach, midfielder receive AFF Award nominations

Head coach Park Hang-seo and his Malaysian counterpart Tan Cheng Hoe will vie for the Coach of the Year award.

The coaches have been recognized for their great contributions to their national football teams.

Under coach Park's guidance, Vietnam has recorded three wins and one draw in the four most recent matches against Malaysia. At the ASEAN Football Federation Championship (AFF Cup) last year, Vietnam won 2-0 in the group stage, drew 2-2 in the first leg and won 1-0 in the second leg to bring home the championship. The home team also beat Malaysia 1-0 in the 2022 World Cup qualifier last month.

Joining coach Park in the nominations list is midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, who will compete with Thai winger Chanathip Songkrasin for the men's Player of the Year title.

Hai, chosen Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup, has been a crucial player for the national team, playing a role in many victories.

Nguyen Quang Hai reacts after scoring against Malaysia at the World Cup qualification match in Hanoi, October 10, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy.

His Thai rival has impressed with performances at Japanese club Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, and is in contention despite not being able to play for his national team in some matches of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers due to injury.

In other nominations, Mai Duc Chung of Vietnam is pitted against against Win Thu Moe of Myanmar, Naruephon Kaenson and Nuengruethai Sathongwien of Thailand for Coach of the Year in the national women's football category. Chung won this title in 2017 after helping Vietnamese women win gold at the 29th SEA Games in Malaysia.

In August this year, Chung helped Vietnam claim the AFF Women’s Championship, beating Thailand by a single goal in extra time.

Vietnam (white) play Thailand in the AFF Women’s Championship final in Chonburi, Thailand, August 27, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Dong Huyen.

The Vietnamese national team has been nominated for Futsal Team of the Year. The team snatched bronze at the Futsal HDBank Championship Southeast Asia 2019, winning a ticket to the AFC Futsal Championship in Turkmenistan.

Vietnam's Tran Van Vu will vie with Malaysia's Mohd Khairul Effendy B. Mohd Bahrin for the Futsal Player of the Year title.

The biennial AFF Awards Night 2019, held November 8 in Hanoi, will hand out 18 awards to individuals and organizations with significant contributions to regional football.