LookAtVietnam – Goalkeeper Vo Van Hanh, who has a record of five premier V-league titles and six other titles at football events, is said to be a lucky man

Midas touch: Goalkeeper Vo Van Hanh is considered lucky by the clubs which employ him.

In an outstanding performance earlier this month he helped his team beat Nam Dinh 2-1 in the 23rd round of V-League to win the title, three rounds earlier than expected.

In the sixth and ninth minute, sharp reflexes helped him stop shots from Nam Dinh’s Okono and Amaobi to help pave the way for Da Nang’s title.

Born in 1974 in central Phu Yen province, Hanh was the first Vietnamese goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball award for the best player of the year in 2001.

In 2008, national goalkeeper Duong Hong Son of T&T Ha Noi was the second Vietnamese to receive the prize.

At the age of 35, Hanh is the target of many rich clubs. However, he wants to stay with Da Nang until he retires.

“With me, money isn’t the most important thing. I stay with Da Nang because of sentimental attachment.”

“Playing football, of course. I love football very much. I always train hard.”

The goalie was invited by former Song Lam Nghe An coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh in 1998.

One year later, he helped the central team win V-League, a Super Cup and a National Cup.

Hanh moved to Pleiku city in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai in 2003 to play for Hoang Anh Gia Lai and helped the team win V-League twice and two Super Cup.

In 2005, Hanh left for Da Nang, a team of misfits at the time, and they blossomed to take a V-League silver medal, the team’s best result in 13 years.

He also said: “Although I have pride in my attainments, I never think that I am the No 1 goalie. I want to be the oldest goalkeeper in V-League.”

Hanh said he would continue to exercise and maintain fitness to retire at 40.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News