From transport dispatcher to best goalkeeper at Vietnam Workers' Football Championship

Goalkeeper Nguyễn Đức Mạnh has been recognized as the best player in his position for the Southern qualifying round of the Vietnam Workers' and Civil Servants Football Championship 2026. The 25-year-old, who also works as a container truck dispatcher, was instrumental in his team, Công đoàn Thành Thắng Thăng Long TP.HCM, securing a decisive 6-1 victory over Công đoàn Đồng Nai 2 in the final match.

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The feeling right now is truly indescribable and proud. This is the first time a team from Ho Chi Minh City has won the championship, the brothers fought with the best spirit.

Mạnh's performance was crucial in the championship match, where he made numerous saves to protect his team's lead. His reflexes and consistent play were key to maintaining his team's advantage. He had also kept a clean sheet in the semi-final and conceded only one goal in the final, showcasing his reliable presence in goal for the TP.HCM team.

This victory marks a significant achievement for Mạnh, who has been participating in the tournament since 2024. He expressed his excitement and pride, describing the feeling as "indescribable." He highlighted the team's "fantastic fighting spirit" in achieving this historic win for a TP.HCM team in the tournament.

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These two environments are completely different. Futsal is a small court, fast intensity, and a flat ball, while the 7-a-side pitch is wider and the ball bounces very strongly. In the beginning, I faced quite a few difficulties, it took me 6-7 months to get used to it and catch up.

Interestingly, Mạnh has a background in professional futsal, having trained for nearly a decade and played in the professional National Futsal Championship for Sanna Khánh Hòa from 2019 to 2020. Transitioning from indoor futsal to the 7-a-side artificial turf presented challenges, as he noted the different ball dynamics and pace. It took him about six to seven months to adapt. Despite his demanding job as a dispatcher, which requires 8-hour shifts and constant availability, Mạnh manages to train and play 2-3 matches per week by adjusting his schedule and avoiding night shifts whenever possible.

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My job requires me to work a full 8 hours between 7 AM and 10 PM every day. I often proactively ask not to work the night shift so I can have time to play football on days I'm not on the evening shift. Thanks to that, I still manage to play 2-3 matches per week for practice.