This file photo shows outstanding striker of the central region and skipper Tran Vu lifting the runners-up trophy at the 1987 A1 national championship

Football in the central region has a big name well-known to fans of the sport nationwide since 1976 – Tran Vu.

The Truong Son championship was a tournament for clubs in the central region before the national championship began in 1980.

Looking back at past achievements of more than 30 years ago, Vu said, “I still remember the goals I scored in the matches against Nghia Binh and Phu Khanh. I was young and ran fast.

“Also, other senior players in the team like Phan Trong Quang, Nguyen Van Minh, Nguyen Nho Duc and Van Phu Nga supported me a lot, so I played tirelessly.”

Vu’s other big contribution to the sport in the central region in general and to Quang Nam-Da Nang in particular, was the A1 national (currently V-League) championship in 1992 when he was the team’s coach for the first time. They beat Cong An Hai Phong 2-0 in the final.

Previously, as a player for Quang Nam-Da Nang, the team played in the finals three times in 1987, 1990 and 1991, but lost to The Cong the first two instances and to Hai Quan in the next. Vu had the opportunity to avenge those losses as a coach the very next year.

Vu is modest about 1992 title. “I was lucky to have very good players at the time, including Tran Minh Toan, Phan Thanh Hung, Phan Cong Thin, Le Van Sinh, Nguyen Phuong Trung and Nguyen Huu Cau. Together, they made up a very strong squad.”

The next year (1993), Vu took that strong team to the national cup championship, defeating Tong Cuc Duong Sat in the final.

After that golden period, Vu and his team did not record any success as they played in the second-flight First Division.

His name was in the news and conversations again as he guided Da Nang to the A1 national championship in the 2000-2001 season.

Bitter-sweet coaching career

Many, including Vu, thought he would enjoy victories with the local team again. However, a change in management meant the arrival of some coaches from other localities and it was another turning point in his life.

He began to train young players at the club. In 2004, his young team won the National Youth Physical Training and Sports Competition and the bronze medal at the U18 National Football Championship.

However, Vu seems to have been destined to be a “substitute.” Some coaches came and went; and several times Vu took over the position of the coach of Da Nang.

Once he almost led the squad to the V-League title. In 2006, the team was 11 points clear of the second team at one point, but some players underperformed and Vu failed to help the team to the first V-League since the championship was established in 2002.

The only consolation for Vu that year was the championship he and the central city team won at the National Physical Training and Sports Competition.

Despite the ups and downs, Vu has always retained a good image in the hearts of fans because of his talent and contributions to regional and national football.

In March this year, First Division club Quang Nam, which has languished in the relegation zone, invited Vu to coach the team.

Vu is understandably upbeat these days. “I have been like a ball, rolling day after day. I have tasted the sweetness and bitterness of the career. Now I only hope Da Nang will take the national championship again after 17 years. It is very, very near now.”

Reported by Tay Nguyen