Kiatisuk: 'No one can replace Duong Minh Ninh at HAGL'

After the match against SLNA in the last round of Group B V-League 2023 on August 11, coach Kiatisuk left Vietnam to return to Thailand. A day later, Mr. Ninh and two other members of HAGL died in a traffic accident on the way to Gia Lai - where the club's headquarters are located.

In the afternoon of the same day, from Bangkok, Kiatisuk wrote on Instagram: "So sad, rest in peace my three brothers".

Earlier this afternoon, on his personal Facebook page, "Zico Thai" posted a separate article, expressing his condolences to Mr. Duong Minh Ninh. The two have known and made friends for more than 20 years, since Mr. Ninh was a young player, and Kiatiasuk was a star to HAGL to play in 2002. In the eyes of Kiatisuk senior at that time, Mr. Ninh was a gentle person, never before. dissatisfied even when there is no main kick, always wholeheartedly supporting colleagues and coaching staff.

When Kiatisuk returned to be the head coach of HAGL in 2020, Mr. Ninh left the position of Director of HAGL Football Academy to join the coaching staff as an assistant, and became Kiatisuk's best friend. "We can sit together all day to discuss work or just chat. On holidays and Tet, Ninh doesn't want me to be alone in Ham Rong, he always invites me home, to coffee or eat and drink together," Kiatisuk recounted.

The Thai coach still remembers the caring actions from his assistant Ninh. Knowing that his wife Kiatisuk likes cacti, Mr. Ninh bought them for his seniors to take care of to feel at home. Every time he went to work in the national team, the assistant brought back a team shirt for Kiatisuk. Or when Kiatisuk returned home, Mr. Ninh always actively asked to help buy souvenirs as gifts.

When he saw Mr. Ninh riding a motorbike to work, coach Kiatisuk actively advised to buy a car. "Ninh did not stay at Ham Rong Center because his house was close, but every morning we saw a white car arriving early," the 50-year-old former Thai player added. "He always does his duty to the fullest."

"It was difficult when I had to return to Ham Rong to work without assistant Ninh, because no one could replace him," Kiatisuk concluded the article.

"Assistant Ninh is a gentle and kind person. He is ready to help people and always keeps his humility," the Korean leader added. "He helped me a lot while working in the Vietnam team. I am honored to work with such a colleague. Rest in peace, Ninh!".

Mr. Ninh was originally a striker of HAGL at the time when the club won the first runner-up position in 2002 and went to play in the V-League. After the first season of winning the V-League with HAGL (2003), he lost the main kick because the team at that time had too many stars, such as Kiatisuk Senamuang or Nguyen Minh Hai. Therefore, the striker born in 1975 decided to retire to do logistics work.

When he elected Duc to open HAGL Academy, Mr. Ninh was appointed as an assistant to coach Graechen, training the players Cong Phuong, Xuan Truong, Tuan Anh... Since then, he has been a regular member and assistant. in the coaching staff of the mountain town team. Mr. Ninh has also been appointed many times as an assistant coach in the U19, U22 or national team.

Near the end of the 2017 V-League season, he took over the leadership role in the context of HAGL facing many difficulties. After a bad start in the 2019 season, he resigned, retired to work as an assistant to Lee Tae Hoon and is now Kiatisuk.

Midfielder Xuan Truong, who has been with coach Duong Minh Ninh since childhood, shared: "Life is too impermanent. It is difficult to accept this fact. My condolences to the family members of the ill-fated. May the teacher and brothers rest in peace."

Colleagues and many other players were also shocked and saddened by the sudden departure of three members of HAGL Club. They are gathering in the mountain town to say goodbye to the victims.

On behalf of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), President Tran Quoc Tuan sent condolences to HAGL and the families of the victims. "This is a huge loss for Vietnamese football and HAGL club. We call on all Vietnamese coaches, football players and clubs participating in the national championship to pay their respects to the families of the victims and stand with them. them in this difficult time," said Mr. Tuan's condolence letter.

The VFF delegation, led by Secretary General Duong Nghiep, will be present in Pleiku to visit HAGL members in need.

Besides Mr. Ninh, two other members of HAGL, striker Paollo Madeira Oliveira and doctor Dao Trong Tri, also died. While traveling on Highway 14 through Ia Hrú commune, Chu Puh district, about 40 km from Pleiku, the car carrying them was hit by a truck behind and pushed onto another truck in front. The strong impact caused the five-seat car to deform, and three members of HAGL died on the spot.