Unknown story about the 'detonator' Hoang Trong Duy Khang of U.17 Vietnam

The Vietnam U17 team ended their journey at the 2025 AFC U17 Championship to the regret of fans. However, with an exciting performance against strong teams in Group B such as Australia, Japan, UAE, etc., the young players left many impressions in the hearts of fans.

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

PHOTO: VFF

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

Khang plays quite flexibly on the left flank, both sticking to the sidelines like a midfielder but also being able to rush forward to attack, becoming one of the two extremely important spearheads of U.17 Vietnam. The shot from a very narrow angle to score for U.17 Vietnam against U.17 Australia and the important goal against U.17 UAE showed Duy Khang's confidence and decisiveness in decisive situations, being an important "detonator" in the attack.

Nurturing passion from childhood

These days, Duy Khang’s house in his hometown of Hue is even more bustling when neighbors come to visit. After Duy Khang shone at the 2025 AFC U-17 Championship, during the neighbors’ visit, stories about the player’s childhood and passion for football were told by his family.

Khang is the youngest of five children in Phu Xuan Commune (Phu Vang District, Hue City). From a young age, Duy Khang showed his talent for playing football and his endless passion for the king of sports. Khang demonstrated his skillful football skills, playing in many positions on the grass fields in the village. At the age of 10, the boy had his first achievement, becoming the best player at the Phu Dong Sports Festival at the provincial level.

Duy Khang and his brother went to PVF audition in 2018.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY CHARACTER

Realizing Khang's talent early on, his stepbrother 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 family circumstances at that time, I was not able to pursue my passion professionally. Therefore, when I saw Khang's passion for playing football, I wanted to help him fulfill his dream for me," said Mr. Tien.

Talking about his younger brother's passion for playing football, Mr. Tien proudly said: "I don't know how to describe Khang's passion. At the age of 7, he was very fond of football. Every day he went to the village lawn to watch his brothers play football, and gradually he went down to the field to play football with his brothers. Because of his small body, Khang was very agile and skillful at playing football. One day, while picking up a ball, Khang was bitten by a dog and had a long cut on his face. He had to get more than 12 stitches. After the wound healed, he went back to the field as if nothing had happened," Mr. Tien said.

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

PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

That year, knowing that PVF had a recruitment round in Hue City, Mr. Tien quickly registered, practiced with Khang day and night, then drove him to the city to help him conquer his dream. At that time, Khang was highly appreciated by the teachers at PVF and was recruited into the professional training squad. In 2018, the young player from Hue packed his bags and left with the pride of his family.

Like a dream

Two days have passed, but the emotions of Mrs. Ngo Thi Thuy (52 years old, mother of player Duy Khang) are still not less excited every time she watches her son playing football on the small screen. Although there is a bit of regret because the journey ended early, Mrs. Thuy's whole family is still very proud and emotional.

Family reviews the moment young player Duy Khang shined at the 2025 AFC U17 Championship

PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

For Ms. Thuy, that moment was like a dream that she never dared to think of. "In the match with UAE, I was so nervous that I didn't dare to watch, just lurking around the house, but sitting there was... a heart attack. Seeing my son on TV was like a dream to me. Before, when the whole family watched football together, we often thought that if someone in the village became a player of the national team, we would be very proud, we never dared to think that it was my son. I am very proud of Khang, I hope that on his journey as a player, he will always stay healthy, shine with his teammates, and bring many achievements to the country's football", Ms. Thuy proudly said.

Every year, her youngest son only comes home on leave once or twice during the holidays, so watching Khang compete on the small screen makes her miss him more than ever.

Duy Khang's parents review pictures of their son as a child.

PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

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

Sharing with Thanh Nien reporters from afar, player Hoang Trong Duy Khang expressed his regret at the tournament's results and sent his regards to his parents and relatives in his hometown.

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

PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

"It was not easy to swallow this defeat, but when my mother called and saw their smiles, I had more motivation to try harder. I knew I had to be stronger and more courageous. I want to thank football for giving me hope to write my dream," Khang expressed.

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