The love of football is nurtured by overtime
Friendly FC was founded in 2010 by a group of first-year students. Without sponsors, without sponsors behind, this team has maintained for nearly 15 years with one thing: "Whoever is better will help those who are not better, when the tournament comes, let's collect a little, if there is a lack, we will call for support from the strong and benefactors".
When the National 7-a-side Football Championship - South Central Region (KPL-S4) was about to kick off, Friendly had intended not to register because he did not have enough funding. When the fee to participate in the tournament decreased, the whole team raised money to register to compete because of their love for football and desire to express their desire to play at the top level.
No member believes that their team can go that far. The KPL championship and a place in the final round in Hanoi are both a joy, a happiness but also interspersed with anxiety.
The team members had to work part-time, receive a salary or ask their family for funding. Some are shippers, some are restaurant servers, technology drivers... Difficult and hard work, but no one wants to give up the opportunity to set foot in Hanoi to enjoy the atmosphere of VPL.
"Going to Hanoi this trip, my teammates have to try to work extra. There are friends who have to do two more jobs at the same time, so there is not enough time to practice. Coming to this tournament, almost the whole team focuses on earning money to have the main funding, coach Chau Anh confided.
Football is the value of life, the pride
As a famous 7-a-side football team in Hanoi, SHB FC aims to create a playground, a gathering place for football lovers, to contribute and want to spread good things to society.
After learning that Friendly FC - the opponent in the same group in VPL-S6 faced many difficulties in the journey to participate in the tournament, SHB representatives and players directly donated 20 million VND to coach Chau Anh's team.
Not only that, after the match, Kha Tho and her teammates also held a cozy party, inviting Friendly players to attend as a way to show hospitality and humanistic value that SHB FC is aiming for.
"Through football, we hope to express the culture and spread the image of Hanoi amateur football in particular and nationwide in general," said Mr. Le Trong Thuy - Technical Director of SHB Club.
For this team, the love of football is not only a slogan, it also originates from the love of president Do Quang Hien spreading to staff.
"Uncle Hien is very familiar with the image of a football-loving father. Inheriting that love, the team's own management and players always carry the "gen code" of loving football and dedicating themselves to football," Mr. Thuy emphasized.
SHB FC is a team with many achievements with many years of championship in both men's and women's tournaments. This team is also gradually conquering the VPL finals and reaching the region.
In the near future, SHB FC will participate in a special tournament in Singapore - where this team not only represents a business but also carries the aspiration of Vietnamese grassroots football to step onto the international stage.
Two slides but in the same spirit
On the same surface of VPL's field, Friendly FC and SHB FC represent two images of Vietnam's 7-a-side football. A professional, methodical, invested team with a roadmap and a team representing young people who live their lives to love the round ball.
These two images are opposite but both have beautiful values: kindness, love for football and a spirit of sharing.
Hearing about the journey and stories of friends from Khanh Hoa, Mr. Le Trong Thuy shared: "In this year's VPL - S6, Friendly FC is a very good and meaningful highlight. The image of this team is somewhere in line with the mission that SHB FC is aiming for. That is, in addition to the story of winning and losing on the pitch, we also show our desire to share about human values and spread them to the football community".
The image connecting the two teams after the group stage ended was part of football. Not only goals, not just scores but also handshakes, hugs and respect between football lovers.
