South Vietnam national football team

The Republic of Vietnam national football team (Vietnamese: Đội tuyển bóng đá quốc gia Việt Nam Cộng hòa) or the State of Vietnam national football team (Vietnamese: Đội tuyển bóng đá Quốc gia Việt Nam) was the national football team from 1949 to 1975 representing the State of Vietnam and later the Republic of Vietnam, known as "South Vietnam".

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2011)

Quick Facts 1949–1975, Nickname(s) ...

State of Vietnam
Republic of Vietnam

1949–1975
Nickname(s)	Rồng vàng (Golden Dragon)
Association	Vietnam Football Association
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Top scorer	Lê Hữu Đức (9)
Home stadium	Cộng Hòa Stadium
FIFA code	VSO[1]
First colours Second colours
First international
Vietnam[a] 3–3 South Korea  (Saigon, French Cochinchina; 16 January 1949)[2][3]
Last international
Malaysia 3–0 South Vietnam  (Bangkok, Thailand; 23 March 1975)
Biggest win
South Vietnam 10–0 Philippines  (Tokyo, Japan; 1 October 1967)
Biggest defeat
South Vietnam 1–9 Indonesia  (Seoul, South Korea; 4 May 1971)
AFC Asian Cup
Appearances	2 (first in 1956)
Best result	Fourth place, 1956, 1960

Close

The State of Vietnam joined the International Association Football Federation (FIFA) in 1952 and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 1954.^[4][5][6] The South Vietnamese football association was treated by these bodies as the only legitimate Vietnamese association, as the State of Vietnam and later the Republic of Vietnam claimed sovereignty over all of Vietnam from 1949 to 1975. The team started to play under the State of Vietnam in January 1949, two months before France recognized Vietnamese nominal independence. After the State of Vietnam gained complete independence from France in June 1954 and Vietnam was divided in July, it existed side by side with a separate North Vietnam team, which represented the Communist-controlled northern portion of the country from 1956 to 1976. Unlike its southern counterpart, the latter was never allowed to join FIFA or the AFC. South Vietnam took part in the first two Asian Cups finals (1956 and 1960), finishing last both times. Despite the fierce wars, it was one of strongest teams in Southeast Asia.

The South Vietnam team played their last games at 1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification in March 1975, and ceased to exist after the Fall of Saigon in April, when the Vietnam War ended. The North and South regions combined into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976, with the Vietnam national team replacing both the North and South teams. The unified republic was allowed to keep South Vietnam's membership of FIFA and the AFC, resulting in the South Vietnam team's historical record usually being counted as part of the overall record of the Vietnam national team, while results for the North Vietnam team are not commonly included as part of the record.^{[citation needed]}