Untold stories about Hoàng Trọng Duy Khang, the "explosive" player of the Vietnam U.17 team.

Hoang Trong Duy Khang was the brightest star in the Vietnam U.17 team after the 2025 AFC U.17 Championship, possessing skillful technique and scoring against strong teams like Australia and UAE. Behind those moments of triumph, the young player from Hue has endearing everyday stories related to his passion for football.

The Vietnam U.17 team concluded their journey at the 2025 AFC U.17 Championship with regret from fans. However, with impressive performances against strong teams in Group B such as Australia, Japan, and UAE, the young players left a lasting impression on the fans.

Hoang Trong Duy Khang is the most outstanding player of the Vietnam U.17 team.

PHOTO: VFF

One of the most outstanding "bright spots" of the Vietnam U.17 team is Hoang Trong Duy Khang, a player born in 2008 who possesses skillful technique, dribbling ability, and bold ball handling. Duy Khang scored spectacular goals in matches against Australia and UAE.

Khang plays quite dynamically on the left flank, hugging the wing like a midfielder but also capable of surging forward to attack, becoming one of the two extremely important attacking players for the Vietnam U17 team. His shot from a very tight angle that scored for Vietnam U17 against Australia U17 and the crucial goal against UAE U17 demonstrated Duy Khang's confidence and decisiveness in decisive situations, making him a vital "spark" in the attack.

Nurturing passion from childhood.

These days, Duy Khang's home in his hometown of Hue is bustling with activity as neighbors come to visit. After Duy Khang's outstanding performance at the 2025 AFC U-17 Championship, during these visits, his family enthusiastically shared stories about his childhood and passion for football.

Khang is the youngest of five siblings in a family from Phu Xuan commune (Phu Vang district, Hue city). From a young age, Duy Khang showed a talent for football and an endless passion for the sport . Khang displayed skillful ball handling, playing in various positions on the village's grass fields. At the age of 10, he achieved his first major success, becoming the best player at the Phu Dong Sports Festival at the provincial level.

Duy Khang and his brother applied to PVF in 2018.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

Recognizing Khang's talent early on, his older brother, Hoang Trong Tien (26 years old), nurtured his youngest brother's dream of becoming a professional football player.

"I myself am also very passionate about football, but due to my family's circumstances at the time, I couldn't pursue my passion professionally. So, when I saw Khang's passion for playing football, I wanted to support him in fulfilling his dream in my place," Tiến said.

Speaking about his younger brother's passion for football, Mr. Tien proudly said: "I don't know how to express Khang's passion in words. At the age of 7, he was already obsessed with football. Every day he would go to the village's grassy field to watch the older boys play, and gradually he started playing with them. Because of his small stature, Khang was very agile and skillful. One day, while retrieving a ball, Khang was bitten by a dog, leaving a long gash on his face. He needed more than 12 stitches, but after the wound healed, he went back to the field as if nothing had happened," Mr. Tien recounted.

Mr. Hoang Trong Tien (older brother of player Duy Khang)

PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

That year, knowing that PVF was holding tryouts in Hue City, Mr. Tien quickly registered, trained with Khang day and night, and then drove him to the city to help him achieve his dream. At that time, Khang was highly regarded by the coaches at PVF and was selected for the professional training team. In 2018, the young footballer from Hue packed his bags and left, much to the pride of his family.

Like a dream

Two days have passed, but Mrs. Ngo Thi Thuy (52 years old, mother of footballer Duy Khang) still feels a surge of excitement whenever she watches her son's football moments on the small screen. Although there is a touch of regret that the journey ended so soon, Mrs. Thuy's entire family is still very proud and moved.

The family relives the moment young player Duy Khang shone at the 2025 AFC U-17 Championship.

PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

For Mrs. Thuy, that moment was like a dream she never dared to imagine. "During the match against UAE, I was so nervous I didn't dare watch, I just kept pacing around the house because sitting there... my heart was racing. Seeing my son on TV was like a dream to me. Before, when the whole family watched football together, we used to think that if someone in our village became a national team player, we would be so proud, but I never imagined it would be my son. I am very proud of Khang, and I hope that on his journey as a player, he will always maintain his health, shine with his teammates, and bring many achievements to Vietnamese football," Mrs. Thuy said proudly.

Each year, her youngest son only gets to visit home once or twice during holidays, so watching Khang compete on the small screen makes her miss him more than ever.

Duy Khang's parents look back at photos of their son from his childhood.

PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

Mr. Hoang Hai (54 years old, Duy Khang's father) added: "I used to be very passionate about football, often playing as a forward for my village and commune in amateur tournaments. Now, seeing my son contributing to the national team, I am very proud. Although I miss him a lot, I hope he will always strive to train hard and improve himself on his path to conquering his passion."

Speaking to a Thanh Niên reporter from afar, player Hoàng Trọng Duy Khang expressed his regret over the tournament's outcome and sent his regards to his parents and relatives back home.

Duy Khang received encouragement from his family from afar after the tournament.

PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

"It wasn't easy to swallow this defeat, but when my mom called and I saw my parents' smiles, I felt more motivated to try harder. I know I need to be stronger and more resilient. I want to thank football for giving me hope to fulfill my dream," Khang expressed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chuyen-chua-biet-ve-ngoi-no-hoang-trong-duy-khang-cua-u17-viet-nam-185250412100248568.htm