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Williams Minh Hoang set up Nguyen Dinh Bac's winning goal in Vietnam's 1-0 victory over the Philippines in their opening FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 match in Indonesia on September 26.
“I thank head coach Kim Sang Sik for giving Khoa Ngo, Adou Minh and me the opportunity to make our Vietnam debuts. When I joined the national team, I spoke with Harry Kane, and he said returning to my homeland, where I have Vietnamese roots, would be good for my development,” Williams Minh Hoang said at a Vietnam training session on Sunday.
He added that representing Vietnam was a very special moment in his life. The team fought hard and secured its first three points of the tournament.
“Playing for Vietnam is not very different from playing for my club because I have already played in this formation. In fact, I always try to adapt wherever I play.” Williams Minh Hoang also wished Vietnam forward Nguyen Xuan Son a speedy recovery after the striker suffered an injury.
“After hearing that Xuan Son was injured, I just hope he recovers soon. Losing Xuan Son is a huge blow to the national team and a major loss for the whole team,” he said. He said his partnership with Dinh Bac had also worked well.
“Since I joined the national team, everyone has welcomed me and made me feel comfortable, which helped me adapt quickly,” he said. Ahead of Vietnam's match against Thailand, Williams Minh Hoang said he and his teammates remained confident. “I know all the opponents are very strong, but I believe in myself and my teammates and believe we can do it,” he said.
Born in Manchester, England, in 2007, Williams Minh Hoang has an English father and Vietnamese mother. He was trained in England before moving to Vietnam in 2025. He has a close relationship with Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich and the England national team.
In his first season playing in Vietnam, Williams Minh Hoang scored eight goals in national professional competitions, helping Ho Chi Minh City Police finish in the top five of V-League 2025-26 and win the 2025-26 National Cup.
He obtained Vietnamese citizenship in August and was subsequently called up by head coach Kim Sang Sik to play for Vietnam at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.
Williams Minh Hoang set up Nguyen Dinh Bac's winning goal in Vietnam's 1-0 victory over the Philippines in their opening FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 match in Indonesia on September 26.