Quyet wins Golden Ball 2020

Nguyen Van Quyet (left) and Cu Thi Huynh Nhu pose with their Golden Ball awards. Photo courtesy of organisers

Striker Quyet, captain of Hanoi FC, secured 526 points to overcome defenders Bui Tien Dung (162 points) and Que Ngoc Hai (124 points), both of Viettel, to take the first Golden Ball of his career.

He previously came second in 2014 and 2015.

“I have been waiting for years to have the chance to take this honour for the first time,” said the 29-year-old Quyet.

“I want to say ‘thank you’ to my coaches, teammates and supporters who have trained, competed with and encouraged me. They have helped me a lot to win this title.”

The award went to Quyet after his outstanding performances for five-time champion Hanoi FC last season.

Under his leadership, the team won the National Cup, finished second in the V.League 1 and won the Super National Cup for the fourth time.

He was voted the best player of Hanoi while named the best player of the 2020 V.League 1 season by the national football organising board.

On the women’s side, Cu Thi Huynh Nhu won her third Golden Ball.

Striker Nhu played a key role in HCM City’s national championship victory last month. She bagged 497 points to leave behind forward Pham Hai Yen of Hanoi and goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh of HCM City.

“This title shows people’s love for me as well as female football in the last year. Thank you for loving us and going along with us, no matter what we win or lose,” said Như who previously lifted the award in 2016 and 2019.

The best young male player award went to defender Bui Hoang Viet Anh of Hanoi while the best young female was striker Ngan Thi Van Su of Hanoi 1.

Brazilian forward Bruno Cantanhede of Hanoi FC was honoured as the best foreign player.

In futsal, Nguyen Minh Tri of Thai Son Nam secured the Golden Ball for the first time. He was followed by Ho Van Y (Thai Son Nam) and Phùng Trong Luan (Sanatech Khanh Hoa).

The Vietnamese Golden Ball award was introduced in 1995 by the Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper with coaches, experts and journalists voting for the best players.