Williams Minh Hoang Confident Ahead of Thailand Clash, Reveals Advice from Harry Kane

The training session on the afternoon of September 27 at the My Dinh National Stadium took place in an unusually vibrant atmosphere. Newcomer Williams Minh Hoàng, who just had an impressive debut in the Vietnamese national team jersey, couldn't hide his excitement when mentioning the match against Thailand. With a bright smile, determined eyes, and light warm-up movements with his teammates in the midfield area, he is preparing for what could be one of the most decisive matches of his career. The match against Thailand on September 29 at home is considered a group-stage final at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. With a narrow 1-0 victory over the Philippines in the opening match, Coach Kim Sang Sik's team secured their first 3 points. But that was a hard-fought win, built on a well-coordinated combination between Williams Minh Hoàng and Đình Bắc. The connection was showcased through a perfect pass from Minh Hoàng and a composed finish from Đình Bắc for the only goal of the match. Minh Hoàng, born in 2026 in France, chose to represent Vietnam over France, where he played for the youth teams. This decision, according to him, was reinforced after receiving advice from English striker Harry Kane. "Kane told me to follow my heart, choose where I feel I belong," Minh Hoàng said in the press conference. "And I feel my blood is Vietnamese, where I am truly myself." The emergence of Williams Minh Hoàng is not just a story of talent but also a story of a homecoming. Born in France but developed in a European football environment, he embodies a blend of tactical discipline from Europe and the relentless fighting spirit of Southeast Asian football. This is evident in his playing style: intelligent movement, spatial awareness, and creative passing that unlocks defenses. "I don't feel a big tactical difference between playing for the national team and at the club level," Minh Hoàng said. "My coordination with Đình Bắc is very good; we connected well in the match against the Philippines." However, a bigger challenge awaits Vietnam. The absence of key striker Nguyễn Xuân Son due to injury is a big loss for the whole team. Minh Hoàng didn't hide his disappointment for his teammate: "His absence is a big loss for the team, but we have many other players who are ready to step up and show their abilities." Regarding the Thailand match, a team considered one of the biggest rivals in Southeast Asian football, Minh Hoàng emphasized the team's strong mentality: "The whole team fought with all their might from the first minute to the 95th minute in the match against the Philippines. We are very confident entering this match. I always believe in myself and my teammates. With the support of the fans, we will make it." Minh Hoàng's confidence comes from a process of adapting quickly within the Vietnam team. Despite being a newcomer, he was warmly welcomed by his teammates. "The guys here have helped me a lot in the early days, helping me adapt quickly. That's probably what created the best connection today." The Thailand match is not just a football game, but a symbolic regional battle. Thailand, with their technical and high-tempo style, are always a formidable opponent for any team in Southeast Asia. For Vietnam, this is not only an opportunity to assert their position as the top team in the region but also a real test for a new generation of players, a generation carrying a fresh breeze of a new football development strategy: leveraging the resources from the Vietnamese diaspora. It's not just about Minh Hoàng, but also the emergence of two other debutants: Adou Minh and Đăng Khoa. Calling up three overseas Vietnamese players in one window shows a clear and long-term strategy by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to build a high-quality, diverse player pool. Minh Hoàng believes a win over Thailand is entirely possible, as the Vietnamese team possesses a united squad and a fighting spirit. "We are ready, we will fight with all our might for the flag and for the fans who have always supported us." With a young player with ambition and confidence like Williams Minh Hoàng, and a new generation of players eager to prove themselves, Vietnamese football is on the cusp of a promising future. The match against Thailand is a tough test but also a chance to show that a new era is ready to shine on the international stage.