HAGL’s strange paradox

Strange things after HAGL lost to Yokohama

On the evening of April 16, I asked nearly 30 spectators at Thong Nhat Stadium about HAGL. The reason why I had to ask so many questions was because I was trying to find another answer, when all gave the same answer: HAGL lost to Yokohama but they were still happy and happy.

Even many people who went from Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh Duong… to Ho Chi Minh City to witness HAGL’s loss still said no effort was wasted. They said they were satisfied with the performance of Cong Phuong and his teammates.

Another surprise is that HAGL lost but hundreds of spectators did not leave. They stood behind the fence in front of the gate of stand A, Thong Nhat yard. Coach Kiatisuk had to sign until his hands were tired to return the love of the fans. A very beautiful image is the car carrying the HAGL team leaving the Thong Nhat stadium, when a long line of fans clapped and waved to coach Kiatisuk’s teachers and students.

I spent another 30 minutes reading comments on football forums on social media. Surprisingly, 90% of fans praised HAGL for playing well, playing with dedication despite losing 1-2 against Yokohama.

That is certainly a great paradox in football, when the losing team still makes the audience happy, not blaming but also praising and applauding. Not only in Vietnam but also in the world, HAGL’s story is “unique”.

In addition, the HAGL and Yokohama match had 11,200 spectators at Thong Nhat Stadium according to the announcement BTC. But the actual number must be more than 15,000 people when only 80% of the stand C is empty, while the capacity of Thong Nhat Stadium can be more than 20,000 people. This is an extremely impressive number to see the great attraction of HAGL even though BTC only allows 70% of the audience to enter the field.

After the match, coach Yokohama expressed his impression of the audience at Thong Nhat Stadium. He thinks the atmosphere is great for the players to be more excited to play. Coach Sydney FC also shares the same opinion about the enthusiasm of the Ho Chi Minh City audience for HAGL Club.

To the answer to HAGL’s paradox

Coach Park Hang-seo once said that Vietnamese fans love football but only love winning football. Mr. Park also used the word “greedy” to talk about the very high demands of Vietnamese fans. But the HAGL of the German election is still worshiped, loved and encouraged by audiences across the country. Why such a strange paradox?

Remember, HAGL is loved by fans across the country not spontaneously, as the audience has become the “property” of the Nui street football team for many years. HAGL’s traditional room has not been able to add more trophies, but the brand name of the German football team in the hearts of fans has become more and more sustainable, since the launch of Cong Phuong at the end of 2013.

The answer must start from the German election, when the point of view of making football is not pursuing football achievements but towards beautiful play, dedication to the fans.

Coach Kiatisuk once said that when he was a child, he liked playing football very much. HAGL boss kicks striker, although small but skillful and likes attacking football. Therefore, elected Germany to open the Football Academy, then pursue beautiful football.

“Bau Duc has a view to building a team that must play well, behave well, and dedicate to the fans. Over the past 20 years, the German election has not changed that philosophy….”Kiatisuk said.

In July 2017, Duc went to Thong Nhat Stadium to watch U23 Vietnam play against South Korea U23 in the 2018 Asian U23 qualifier. Vietnam lost 1-2 to South Korea but elected Germany 1 billion VND bonus. Many people listening to it were very surprised, when the team lost but was elected with such a big bonus.

Bau Duc briefly explained: “Poor is poor, I still reward 1 billion VND for U23 Vietnam. I feel happy and if I play well, I will reward.”

In 2019, Duc said about HAGL Club: “It doesn’t matter if it’s downgraded to First Class. The main thing is where HAGL goes, there are a lot of football lovers there…”.

The above two examples of the German gourd are already great paradoxes. Firstly, the losing team is still rewarded with a big prize for the reason that the kick is beautiful and the view is good. Second, the team is ready to be relegated, as long as there are spectators watching and cheering.

But the two paradoxes mentioned above are the answers to the fact that HAGL has lost and is still loved and worshiped. Germany’s football team does not play a winning football that is not beautiful, wins in a bad way, kicks a lie, or… cheats the fans. Bau Duc would rather let HAGL Club lose, even be relegated, but have to play well, play with dedication, not deceive the audience, do not play in the way that there are many brothers in the same tournament.

In addition, the fighting spirit of HAGL players is a huge plus. Kiatisuk’s HAGL played tenaciously despite being 2 goals ahead of Yokohama. They kicked with a sense of not letting the audience down, kicked with all their might, dared to attack and didn’t give up. Fans must be happy to see Cong Phuong and his teammates making the J.League runner-up tremble and buy time.

The story of HAGL’s paradox is a great lesson for Vietnamese football to see that the Cups will lose their value if they are not loved by the audience. In particular, the teams are willing to give up many other values ​​to pursue achievements, or have bosses who defy public opinion to maintain the habit of rewarding teams in the same league.

Rather, football is a four-sided stage, so it is not possible to hide your eyes or make fans love you with ugliness. If there is, it is only temporary, and cannot stand the test and time. Only good values ​​are sustainable, which is a beautiful football team, well-behaved players, a passionate and kind boss.