The selection for the Golden Ball 2008, the most reputed title for Vietnamese football players, is now very hot as it is a competition among the 13 players of the national squad who participated in the AFF Cup 2008.

From the left: Cong Vinh, Hong Son and Nhu Thanh.

The nominees for the title, in men’s category, are Nguyen Minh Chau (Hai Phong club), Doan Viet Cuong (Dong Thap), Phan Van Tai Em (Dong Tam Long An), Nguyen Quang Hai (Khanh Hoa), Nguyen Minh Phuong (Dong Tam Long An), Nguyen Vu Phong (Binh Duong), Duong Hong Son (T&T Hanoi), Le Tan Tai (Khanh Hoa), Le Phuoc Tu (The Cong), Vu Nhu Thanh, Huynh Quang Thanh (Binh Duong), Nguyen Viet Thang (Dong Tam Long Anh) and Le Cong Vinh (T&T Hanoi).

All of them were outstanding players who contributed to the victory of Vietnam at the AFF Cup 2008. Based on achievements with the national squad and local clubs, three names stand out: striker Le Cong Vinh, who has won this award three times, goalkeeper Duong Hong Son, the best goalkeeper at AFF Cup, and midfielder Vu Nhu Thanh.

Le Cong Vinh: The striker from Nghe An set a record in the footballer transfer market 2008 when he was bought by T&T Hanoi for VND8 billion ($470,600). He didn’t play well after that transfer affair but he shined at AFF Cup 2008. If he wins the Golden Ball 2008, he will set another record: the first footballer to win four Golden Ball awards.

Vu Nhu Thanh: His suspension penalty ended in 2006. This midfielder contributed to the success of Binh Duong club. He was called back to the national squad and he played very well at the AFF Cup 2008.

Duong Hong Son: He helped his team, T&T Hanoi, to enter V-League. With the national squad, Hong Son was initially a reserve goalkeeper. When Santos was rejected from the team, Hong Son proved his value to become the number-one goalkeeper at AFF Cup 2008.

Other names like Vu Phong and Phan Van Tai Em are also worthy of mention.

The organising board will send votes to experts, coaches, and sports correspondents from February 5-15. The result will be announced in late February. The award ceremony will be held in mid-March in HCM City.

The nominees for the Golden Ball award, women’s category: Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, Do Thi Ngoc Cham, Dao Thi Mien, Bui Thi Tuyet Mai, Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, Tu Thi Phu (Hanoi), Tran Thi Kim Hong, Dang Thi Kieu Trinh (HCM City), Van Thi Thanh (Ha Nam), Le Thi Thuong, Nguyen Thi Mai Lan (Vietnam Coal and Mineral Group).

Football players who have won Golden Ball awards:

- Le Huynh Duc 1995, 1997, 2002

- Vo Hoang Buu 1996

- Nguyen Hong Son 1998, 2000

- Tran Cong Minh 1999

- Vo Van Hanh 2001

- Pham Van Quyen 2003

- Le Cong Vinh 2004, 2006, 2007

- Phan Van Tai Em 2005

VietNamNet/VNE