The story of a Vietnamese girl loving the Thai national team for more than 10 years has received strong reactions on social networks. Many people use harsh expressions, even attaching national pride to it. Meanwhile, when a Lao girl not only loves the Vietnamese national team but also expresses special feelings for Vietnam, she is welcomed with applause.
Those two opposing reactions lead to the question, what standards are we living with? Who doesn't like to love, like to praise, like to be received, and hate things that go against personal opinions. Meanwhile, every time we comment and judge, objectivity - the most necessary element, is always shy somewhere at the end of the line.
Looking at the issue of slowing down, love for a team is first and foremost a personal choice. That is very normal, because you yourself can love Man United, Barcelona, like the Brazilian national team, Italy, idol Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, willing to stay up all night for them, cry when losing, cheer when winning, even memorize the history of the club half a world away from home.
No one sees it as a problem. But when the favorite object is a rival with many predestined relationships in the region, social attitude suddenly changes. At this time, personal feelings are judged, by the so-called "in the name of patriotism".
In fact, sports love and patriotism are not always on the same line. A person may admire Thai football for many reasons, but it does not mean that they turn their backs on their homeland. That is even better than many people expressing "love for Vietnamese football" through a few words on social networks to count likes, by causing public disorder, even destroying property...
From another perspective, sports and football are likened to one of the tools connecting people, cultural intersection. A Vietnamese person who loves Thai football, or a Lao person who loves Vietnam, is also a manifestation of intersection. In a region like Southeast Asia, that love and admiration bring countries closer together.
