Former player Vu Phong's teacher suddenly appeared at the Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament

Once a hero of Vinh Long football, coach Luong Trung Dan has now retired. However, he suddenly appeared at the 2025 Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament.

Coach Luong Trung Dan, who once coached midfielder Nguyen Vu Phong, appeared at the 2025 Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament - Photo: QUANG THINH

On the morning of October 10, the Vinh Long Trade Union team had its opening match in the Southern region qualifying round of the Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament 2025. Among them, a familiar image suddenly appeared on the field of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Police University.

Legend of Vinh Long football

That is the image of Mr. Luong Trung Dan, a coach who is not very famous across the country, but is very respected in the football world in Vinh Long.

He comes from the Luong family, which has a long tradition of sports in the Southern region. So it is natural that he has spent almost his entire life playing football.

Since 1983, he started his coaching career and devoted all his heart to his homeland for nearly 30 years. Of course, the path he took was not always smooth. Looking back at the articles about the Luong family, it is not difficult to find the story about the Vinh Long team he led, who had people participating in chasing and beating the referee in 2000.

After that incident, Mr. Luong Trung Dan's life continued to have many changes. But his love for football remained strong, as he continued to participate deeply in youth training in the province.

Talking to Tuoi Tre , the 64-year-old man recounted the most memorable memory of his career. That was in 2013, the Vinh Long U21 team under his leadership, although not highly rated, went all the way to the final of the National U21 Championship.

He even had quite serious health problems after the tense semi-final match against Hai Phong U21. In the final match that followed, Mr. Dan's team lost to Ha Noi T&T U21, but the silver medal was an unexpected result.

Another achievement that makes him proud is being the "teacher" of the border storm Nguyen Vu Phong, the 2008 AFF Cup champion with the Vietnamese team.

Support for the whole team

Vinh Long Trade Union Team (white shirt) is not too strong but has a great support - Photo: QUANG THINH

Three years ago, Mr. Luong Trung Dan decided to retire, officially ending a coaching career with many changes but also many memories. However, he could not give up the habit of going on the field and directing.

So even though he is "in hiding" from the professional playground, he still chooses grassroots playgrounds to avoid missing his job. And the 2025 Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament has become one of Mr. Luong Trung Dan's destinations.

Of course, leading a grassroots football team with all workers is very different from leading a professional team. The veteran strategist shared: "The brothers of the Vinh Long Trade Union team often play grassroots football, so their thinking is still... grassroots.

Many players do not dare to hold the ball to play even though they have good technical foundation and physical strength. They are also workers so they do not have time to practice regularly. Therefore, our team came to the tournament with the goal of playing our best, not focusing on results."

It seems absurd that a bad team would invite a veteran coach. This is similar to a relegation team inviting a famous coach Jose Mourinho to lead.

But in reality, Mr. Luong Trung Dan's story is different. That is because he wants to contribute to his homeland, wants to pass on his passion and experience to worker players who do not have many conditions to rub shoulders on the field.

Mr. Pham Dinh Nhan, a member of the Vinh Long Trade Union team, said: "Coach Luong Trung Dan has very high demands on tactics and always wants everyone to be serious.

But he is not too strict, but always encourages his players to play their best. It can be said that he is an important spiritual support for us players."

The 2025 Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament is jointly organized by Tuoi Tre Newspaper, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, and the Vietnam Football Federation. This is the third consecutive year the tournament has taken place.

The 2025 tournament is sponsored by Truong Hai Group Joint Stock Company (THACO), Dong Luc Sports Group, HTP Pharmaceutical Investment Joint Stock Company, Hoa Sen Group Joint Stock Company, Sunshine Group, Saigon Water Corporation (SAWACO), Faslink Fashion Connection Joint Stock Company, 108 Central Military Hospital, 175 Military Hospital and a number of enterprises.

The Northern qualifying round took place from October 3 to 5 at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, determining 6 names to win tickets to the national final round, including the champion, the People's Public Security Trade Union.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thay-cua-cuu-tuyen-thu-vu-phong-bat-ngo-xuat-hien-tai-giai-bong-da-cong-nhan-vien-chuc-viet-nam-20251010160232716.htm