Golden generation footballer dies at 69

Football veteran Pham Van Lam, a player belonging to the “gold generation” of football in the southern Vietnam in the 1970s, passed away Sunday due to several incurable diseases.

Born in 1943 in the southern province of Bac Lieu, Lam played for many Ho Chi Minh City-based football clubs during the pre-1975 period, and was also recruited to play for the Vietnam’s southern football squad.

A member of the golden generation together with other renowned players such as Tam Lang, Do Thoi Vinh, Huynh Van Co, Ho Thanh Cang, Ho Thanh Chinh, and Lam Hong Chau, Lam possessed a respectable collection of trophies during his football career.

It includes the championship of the 1966 Merdeka Cup, two silver medals at the 1967 and 1973 SEAP Games (the predecessor of SEA Games), and one bronze at the 1971 SEAP Games.

From 1975-1978, he settled down, and ended his career, at the Hai Quan (Customs) club.

In 2006, he was hit by a sudden stroke, and had to sell the house he lived with his wife and children in District 3 and moved to a rent house in Binh Chanh suburban district to afford treatment expenses.

From 2009 until the end of his life, Lam had to lead a vegetable existence. His wife also died a few months ago.