Duong Van Hien takes home Golden Whistle

Referee Duong Van Hien won this year”s Golden Whistle award over the weekend, after voters nominated him for his often strict yet accurate decisions on the pitch.

Hien won the Silver Whistle last year but took 276 points in claiming gold in the 2007 vote, 112 points more than runner-up Vo Minh Tri.

The Bronze Whistle went to Phung Dinh Dung with 65 points.

To be eligible for the Golden Whistle, referees must have supervised at least 15 national football matches at any level, and have been trained by the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF).

The winner receives a VND100 million (about US$6,200) bonus.

“I am very happy with this award after 15 years of working as a referee. Whatever your job is, you want to be honoured for doing it well – reffing is no different,” said Hien.

“I think I was very lucky to win this title. In fact, I know a lot of referees who were not eligible for the award but are still very good. If Duong Manh Hung [last year”s winner] had not been injured, I may have had a very tough opponent.”

Hien said despite club and public objections to some of his tougher calls, he has never regretted a decision made on the pitch.

“A referee is also a person. Sometimes he makes mistakes. I was hurt when teams and the public criticised me after matches, but I won”t quit because I love football,” said Hien, who is also a college lecturer.

In several cases asking for redress, the Referee Council upheld all of Hien”s decisions this year.

Organisers also awarded the Golden Flag to referee assistant Pham Manh Long, his second in a row.

The Silver and Bronze Flags went to Nguyen Truong Xuan and Nguyen Ngoc Ha, respectively.

The voting panel this year included referees, referee supervisors, sports journalists, VFF officials, donators and referee council leaders. – VNS