A large LED screen was installed in the center of Hung Yen Bac 2 hamlet, Yen Trung commune, Nghe An province, for fans to come and cheer on the Vietnam U23 team - Photo: DOAN HOA
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10:30 PM: A large number of neighbors of Mr. Nguyen Xuan Huy's family (father of player Nguyen Xuan Bac) came to celebrate with the family at their home in Phu Tho province. Many children also came with their parents to watch the match between Vietnam U23 and China U23.
Before the match, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dung, Xuan Bac's neighbor, shared his honor, pride, and joy that the Vietnam U23 team had advanced so far in this tournament. "I have complete faith that the Vietnam U23 team will achieve success far beyond the expectations of the fans. We are all confident in the team's positive outcome. Wishing the Vietnam U23 team success," he said.
Relatives and neighbors of Xuan Bac look back at a photo of him in his hometown of Phu Tho - Photo: HA QUAN
The children also stayed up very late to cheer on Uncle Xuan Bac and the Vietnam U23 team - Photo: HA QUAN
Numerous relatives and neighbors gathered at Xuan Bac's house in Phu Tho to show their support for him and the Vietnam U23 team - Photo: HA QUAN
At 10 PM: Present at the stadium in Hung Yen Bac 2 hamlet, Yen Trung commune, Nghe An province , Ms. Tran Thi Nha (Dinh Bac's grandmother) shared with Tuoi Tre Online that she was "very nervous" before the match between Vietnam U23 and China U23.
From the group stage to the finals, Mrs. Nha didn't miss a single match of her grandson and his teammates. There were matches where Dinh Bac played in the second half, and matches where the number 7 player came on in the first half, but for Mrs. Nha, "seeing my grandson play in any match made me happy."
"Through each match, I see my grandson becoming more mature, composed, and confident. I believe my grandson and his teammates will win tonight's match, bringing joy to our neighbors and Vietnamese fans," Mrs. Nha shared.
The atmosphere was vibrant at the stadium in the hometown of player Dinh Bac - Photo: DOAN HOA
9:30 PM: Thousands of people gathered at the stadium near the home of player Dinh Bac (Nghe An), the village communal house near the home of player Hieu Minh (Hanoi), and at the home of player Xuan Bac (Phu Tho), ready to cheer on the Vietnam U23 team against the China U23 team.
The atmosphere was incredibly lively and full of confidence that coach Kim Sang Sik and his team would win and secure a place in the final of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship.
Residents of Tay Phuong commune - the hometown of footballer Hieu Minh - captured beautiful images before the match started - Photo: DANH KHANG
Although there was still more than an hour until kick-off, the communal courtyard in the densely populated Huu Bang residential area (Hanoi) was already packed with people. The courtyard, with its capacity for hundreds of seats, was completely full. Many children also came to cheer on the U23 Vietnam team and player Hieu Minh. - Photo: QUANG THE
The lively atmosphere in Dinh Bac's hometown of Nghe An, where his family lives, before the match begins - Photo: DOAN HOA
Children from Dinh Bac village gather at the nearby stadium to prepare to cheer on the Vietnam U23 team - Photo: DOAN HOA
8:30 PM: A large crowd of people gathered at the Hung Yen Bac 2 hamlet stadium in Yen Trung commune, Nghe An province, to prepare to cheer on the Vietnam U23 team against China U23.
From the elderly to the young, everyone was eager and looking forward to the moment the ball would roll. This was the first time a large LED screen had been set up in the neighborhood stadium – next to player Dinh Bac's house – to cheer him and the Vietnam U23 team on.
Mrs. Tran Thi Nha - Dinh Bac's grandmother - prepares to go to the village stadium to cheer for the Vietnam U23 team - Photo: DOAN HOA
On the afternoon of January 20th, the atmosphere in the hometown of player Nguyen Dinh Bac in Hung Yen Bac 2 hamlet, Yen Trung commune, Nghe An province, was bustling with preparations to cheer on the Vietnam U23 team against China U23.
Meanwhile, people in Huu Bang commune, Thach That district, former Hanoi (now Tay Phuong commune, Hanoi) set up tents in the village square to cheer on Nguyen Hieu Minh and coach Kim Sang Sik and his team.
The semi-final match of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship between Vietnam U23 and China U23 will take place at 10:30 PM tonight, January 20th, at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jedad, Saudi Arabia, which has a capacity of 27,000 seats.
A reporter from Tuoi Tre Online is currently at the homes of the two players to record the atmosphere of watching the football match among their relatives and villagers – the hometowns of Dinh Bac and Hieu Minh.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Ap - the father of player Dinh Bac - shared with Tuoi Tre Online reporters on the afternoon of January 20th about the joy and happiness of his family as his son and his teammates are giving their all in the U23 Asian Championship. - Photo: DOAN HOA
Hung Yen Bac 2 hamlet, Yen Trung commune, Nghe An province, is like a festival day.
A large number of local residents, along with village and commune officials, hung flags and banners, set up a stage, and installed a large LED screen, all in preparation for the semi-final match between Vietnam U23 and China U23.
Banners such as "Igniting the flame at Dinh Bac - shining brightly for Vietnam", "Dinh Bac - the pride of Yen Trung's rice-growing land"; "Vietnam wins"... made the village square feel even more energized before the match started.
Not far from the village stadium, the small house of footballer Dinh Bac's family received many visitors who came to offer their support and encouragement.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Ap, 49 years old, Dinh Bac's father, is primarily a farmer, while his mother runs a small business at the market. Bac is the youngest child in the family, with one older sister. Despite their rural background and modest financial situation, Mr. and Mrs. Ap have always supported their son in pursuing his passion and dream of becoming a professional football player.
The village where Dinh Bac's family lives in Nghe An is preparing to cheer him and the Vietnam U23 team back home - Photo: DOAN HOA
Mr. Ấp recalled: "Back then, everyone called him 'Bắc the Skinny' because he was so small. Bắc was very passionate about football; after school, he would play football with his friends. Bắc was also selected for the youth team to participate in the Nghệ An Newspaper Children's Cup. From then on, the coaches saw Bắc's potential and decided to recruit him into the youth football academy of Sông Lam Nghệ An Club."
After three years at the Song Lam Nghe An youth academy, "Bac Coi" was dropped from the team due to his small stature.
"At that time, he was very sad. The family encouraged him a lot. Then Bac asked us to let him go to Hue and Quang Nam to continue pursuing his passion for football. We understood and believed in our son's determination and effort, so we agreed. Every day, seeing my son grow more mature, I am very happy. I believe that with his determination, my son will achieve his dream," Mr. Ap shared.
Before the kick-off of the final match, Mr. Ấp was confident that his son and his teammates would unite, play their best, and defeat the Chinese U23 team.
Residents of Yen Trung commune, Nghe An province, are preparing to cheer on the Vietnam U23 team before the semi-final match on the evening of January 20th - Photo: DOAN HOA
The people of Huu Bang set up a tent in the village square.
This village square is located in a densely populated residential area, the Huu Bang furniture-making village. A large LED screen has also been set up right on the main stage so that villagers can watch and cheer on the match.
Speaking to Tuổi Trẻ newspaper , Mr. Nguyen Tien Quang (father of player Nguyen Hieu Minh) said that to allow villagers to watch the football match, a stage with an LED screen had been set up right in the village square. Mr. Quang, along with his family and neighbors, all hope that the U23 players will perform well, have some great plays, and advance from the semi-finals to the final match.
"Watching the team play this time, I'm very convinced because I no longer feel intimidated by strong teams like before. After the tournament, Asian football will definitely have a different view of Vietnamese football. The family is very proud and confident that tonight the U23 players will shine and deliver an impressive match," Mr. Quang said.
Huu Bang village communal house (Tay Phuong commune, Hanoi) is where people gather to cheer on the semi-final match between Vietnam U23 and China U23 taking place tonight - Photo: DANH KHANG
Sharing about his son's journey, Mr. Quang said that in 2013, when Hieu Minh was only 9 years old, he left home to go to the PVF Youth Football Training Center (in Binh Chanh, Ho Chi Minh City). He only got to come home twice a year during the summer and Tet holidays.
"Missing my son so much, I discussed with my wife the idea of opening a furniture store in Ho Chi Minh City. Every afternoon, I would go to the football field to watch him practice. Occasionally, I would ask the teacher if he could sleep with us. The first few days were probably very difficult for the family. My wife and I shed many tears because we felt sorry for our young son having to be away from home," Mr. Quang confided.
Mr. Nguyen Tien Quang (father of central defender Hieu Minh) could not hide his joy when mentioning his son and the victory of the Vietnam U23 team - Photo: DANH KHANG
Speaking about his son's love for football, Mr. Quang said that since he was little, Hieu Minh only liked playing with a ball. Hieu Minh's father continued: "I am passionate about amateur football, so when Hieu Minh was just learning to walk, I saw that he really liked football, so I guided him towards it."
In the early days of his training at PVF, Hieu Minh was chosen by the coaches to play central midfielder, but at the age of 17, his physique was superior, so he was moved to play center back. Perhaps the center back position suited him best because he is 1.85m tall and weighs 79kg."
Family members gather to look back at cherished childhood moments of defender Hieu Minh, perfectly preserved in a family photo album - Photo: DANH KHANG
Sharing his thoughts about his grandson Hieu Minh, Mr. Nguyen Van Vay (78 years old) couldn't hold back his emotions, happily saying, "I hope my grandson and the U23 Vietnam players will have a beautiful match."
Mr. Vay shared: "Previously, every time I went to Ho Chi Minh City to visit my grandson, I didn't dare say goodbye and had to lie to leave because I was afraid he would run after me crying. Since he started playing professional football, the longing has lessened because I get to watch him on TV often. Seeing him mature with each match makes the family very happy."
DOAN HOA - DANH KHANG - QUANG THE - HA QUAN
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/gia-dinh-xuan-bac-hieu-minh-dinh-bac-cuong-nhiet-co-vu-u23-viet-nam-20260120182003813.htm
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