Cong Vinh and Dao Thi Mien win Players of the Year

Striker Le Cong Vinh and Dao Thi Mien were crowned 2006 Vietnamese Players of the Year at a football gala held at the Lan Anh Club on April 2.

Receiving the top honourable prize, voted by football journalists, experts and officials, Cong Vinh said: SThe Golden Ball is an award to recognise the contributions of the winner, but it remains an individual award. My biggest dream is to win the Southeast Asian championship, or at least a SEA Games gold medal. At the same time, I have set a target of emulating Le Huynh Duc”s record of winning the prize three times.⬝  

Cong Vinh, who plays for PVFC Song Lam Nghe An, made a significant contribution to his club and the national and Olympic teams in 2006. His contribution and achievements were recognised when he was voted for top spot by 100 football journalists, experts and officials. Only 20 journalists, experts and officials voted him for second spot, and seven for third.

The captain of the Olympic team beat Nguyen Minh Phuong from Dong Tam Long An, and Le Tan Tai from Khatoco Khanh Hoa with an overwhelming victory as he received a total of 347 points. Minh Phuong finished runner-up with a total of 172 points, and Tan Tai, third with a total of 124 points.

Cong Vinh was also honoured by readers of the Liberated Saigon when he was voted as the Most Favourite Player.

This was the second time, Cong Vinh has won the award. In 2004, Cong Vinh was also the winner of the award. He has drawn level with Vietnamese talented midfielder Nguyen Hong Son, who won the award twice in his career.

Dao Thi Mien from Ha Tay won the 2006 Vietnamese Woman Player of the Year with a total of 292 points. Doan Thi Kim Chi from Ho Chi Minh City finished second with 221 points. Bui Tuyet Mai from Hanoi was third with 199 points.