Vietnam’s national football team captain and midfielder Nguyen Minh Phuong cleans his cleats, which were sold for VND45 million ($2,600) at an auction for charity that ended Saturday

Vietnam’s national football team captain Nguyen Minh Phuong’s cleats received a high bid of VND45 million (US$2,600) at an auction for charity on Saturday.

Phuong took a free kick which star striker Le Cong Vinh headed home to earn Vietnam its historic AFF Cup championship.

The bidding started when Phuong’s club Dong Tam Long An began the 2009 V-League season early last month.

The price of the shoes started at VND20 million. Japanese businessman Nakagawa Hidehiko eventually took the shoes with his bid of VND45 million.

The UK7 Adidas pair of cleats was originally bought in Singapore for VND5 million ($286).

All the money will be donated to the Fatherland Front Department of the Mekong Delta province of Long An, where Phuong’s club plays.

Reported by D.Tung