Thong Nhat 08 are inaugural HCM City League champions

Ho Chi Minh City: Thong Nhat 08 FC were crowned champions of the inaugural Ho Chi Min City League after the perennial pacesetters fought out a goalless draw with hosts Maseco Phu Nhuan FC in a thrilling match that brought down the curtains on the league here on Sunday.

AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam presenting medals to players of the winning Thong Nhat side.

The sight of Thong Nhat FC captain Pham Hong Sy receiving the glittering trophy from AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam also capped a climax that was set in motion last October when the league kicked off under the aegis of AFC’s Vision Asia programme with the participation of four other pioneering clubs – Thai Son Nam District 8 FC, Nghia Nhan District 12 FC, Hung Thinh Phu FC and HCMC U-17 Talent FC.

The match, which was played at a fast clip, turned over a new leaf in the city’s football history and was watched by a sizeable crowd at the Phu Nhuan Stadium. Among the spectators were AFC Vice-President Yousef Al Serkal, FIFA Executive Committee members Dato Worawi Makudi and Manilal Fernando, several AFC Executive Committee members and Member Association Presidents, Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) President Nguyen Trong Hy and Ho Chi Minh City Football Federation (HCMC FF) President Le Hung Dung.

A heavy downpour towards the end failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the teams as they clicked up a gear and went flat out in search of the elusive goal that would have broken the stalemate.

The day itself started with a captivating presentation off the field by the HCMC FF on the successful journey the league has undertaken since joining the Vision Asia fold.

At the outset, the league’s rapid progress in such a short period was praised by Bin Hammam.

“It is a great privilege for me to once again stand here and talk about the progress which has been made in Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City,” said Bin Hammam.

“Since we started Vision Asia in 2003 the programme has spread to 38 cities in different Asian countries. Ho Chi Minh City is the second project in Vietnam after Long An but another project is coming in the future in Hue.

“The final target is to start 58 leagues in the 54 provinces of Vietnam. So we still have a long way to go but we have made a good start,” said the AFC chief.

“Vision Asia is a very profound and deep development programme, touching each element of our football. We are expanding the base of the people who play football, enjoy football by starting city and provincial leagues.”

Bin Hammam thanked the VFF and Ho Chi Minh City government for their unstinted support.

“The success of Ho Chi Minh City would not have happened had it not been for the strong support of the VFF under the leadership of Nguyen Trong Hy and the Ho Chi Minh Citygovernment”.

Bin Hammam also handed over a cheque of USD 35,000 for the development of Ho Chi Minh City football.

VFF chief Trong Hy said he was looking forward to more assistance in the form of Vision Asia projects by AFC.

“VFF is very pleased with the success of Ho Chi Minh City. And now Long An is a mature project. We are now looking forward to AFC implementing new projects in Vietnam,” said Trong Hy.

Thong Nhat finished their campaign with 49 points followed by Maseco on 30 points.