On the afternoon of 25/8, Nguyen Dinh Ap, 49, father of striker Nguyen Dinh Bac, residing in Hung Yen Bac 2 hamlet, Yen Trung commune, Nghe An province, stated that he and his daughter would drive over 300 km to Hanoi early tomorrow morning to support his son and the team. His wife remained home to manage family affairs and prepare for the full moon festival of the 7th lunar month, so she could not accompany them.

Dinh Bac has been consistently training and playing for Cong an Hanoi Club since the U23 Asian Championship earlier this year, with few opportunities to visit home. Therefore, Mr. Ap is taking advantage of this trip to Hanoi to see his son and directly cheer for the team in the final match at My Dinh Stadium. "Before the ball rolls, we hope and cheer for our home team to win", Mr. Ap said.

Nguyen Dinh Ap (Dinh Bac's father) believes the Vietnam national team will win the championship. Photo: Duc Hung

According to Mr. Ap, Dinh Bac has been regularly texting his mother in recent days, while he primarily asks his son about his mood after each match. The striker, born in 2004, is quiet and reserved, so the family often observes his performance to understand his feelings, offering gentle encouragement without delving too deeply to avoid adding pressure.

Mr. Ap shared that Dinh Bac always aims to score whenever he plays, but football depends on many factors. "Perhaps deep down, he always thinks about scoring, but sometimes luck isn't on his side. The most important thing is to try his best to help the team win", Mr. Ap said.

In their hometown of Yen Trung, during the ASEAN Cup 2026 matches, villagers often gather to watch football. For each match, neighbors bring rice wine and roasted peanuts, watching together and cheering when the home team gets an opportunity or scores a goal.

Phan Thuy Dung, 29, Xuan Manh's wife, said that on the evening of 25/8, she would take their two children, aged three and five, by train from Vinh station to Hanoi. Both sets of grandparents also arranged to travel by bus overnight, ensuring the entire family could be at My Dinh stands to support him.

According to Ms. Dung, having the whole family in the stands is a way to boost Xuan Manh's morale. The final match taking place in Vietnam is more convenient than tournaments abroad, so she wanted to bring her two children to watch their father play.

Two years ago, their eldest daughter traveled to Thailand and celebrated the championship trophy with her father. Their son was one year old at the time and not healthy enough for a long journey, missing that moment.

Center-back Xuan Manh celebrates with his mother and wife after winning the first leg final in Thailand. Photo: Duc Dong

During the team's training camps, Xuan Manh primarily focuses on practice and matches. In his free time, he calls his relatives. The player rarely mentions pre-match pressure, mainly asking about family and engaging in normal conversations, teasing his children. Ms. Dung only wishes for her husband to remain calm, confident, and play to his full potential.

After the first leg final at Rajamangala Stadium on the evening of 22/8, Ms. Dung cried as she watched Xuan Manh and his teammates fight until the final minutes. The sight of her husband's dedication and effort moved her deeply, reminding her of the memory two years prior when the entire family celebrated the championship with him. "When the final whistle blew, all emotions rushed back at once, so I cried", Ms. Dung said.

Before the final match at My Dinh, Ms. Dung wanted to tell Xuan Manh to stay calm and confident because his family is always behind him. She does not emphasize scoring goals or assisting, only hoping her husband and his teammates achieve their goal of winning the championship.

If Vietnam wins the championship, Ms. Dung said she might cry again, but they would be tears of joy. She hopes her three-year-old son will get to take a picture with his father holding the trophy for the first time, and that their small family will create another memorable moment in their lives.

Thuy Dung was moved after her husband and teammates won 2-0 against Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium, on the evening of 22/8. Photo: Duc Dong

Hoang Thi Thoa, mother of midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc, said that at noon on 26/8, her family would travel from Hai Phong to Hanoi to support her son and the Vietnam national team. Having followed Hoang Duc's journey since the beginning of the tournament, she is proud to see him play with daily effort.

According to Ms. Thoa, each player on the field has a unique role and contributes to a common goal. Goal scorers are often mentioned more, but the ultimate victory is always a collective achievement, the result of the entire team's sweat and effort. Therefore, the family does not pressure Hoang Duc to score, only wishing him to maintain his form, perform his duties well, and advance to the championship with his teammates.

What worries Ms. Thoa most after each match are collisions and injuries. After the game, she often calls Hoang Duc to ask if he is in pain or tired anywhere before feeling at ease. She expressed sympathy for the players, especially when they are on the ground after a collision.

Hoang Duc is always expected to shine in the Vietnam national team's midfield, but for Ms. Thoa, a player's contribution is not only about goals or standout moments. She hopes fans recognize the entire team's effort and always encourage the players, especially after matches where they may not have performed at their best.

Nguyen Hoang Duc and his mother during a trip in early 2026. Photo: Family provided

"Football has its ups and downs; fans need to empathize and care for the players more, instead of uttering bitter words when their performance is not good", Ms. Thoa said.

Before the second leg final against Thailand at My Dinh Stadium, Ms. Thoa predicted the Vietnam national team would win 2-0 and claim the championship. She hopes to be on the My Dinh field tomorrow evening, sharing the joy with Hoang Duc and his teammates. "The whole country wishes for this. Every victory is precious", Ms. Thoa said.

The second leg final of the ASEAN Cup 2026 between Vietnam and Thailand will take place at 8 PM on 26/8 at My Dinh Stadium. With a 2-0 lead from the first leg, the Vietnam national team only needs a draw or to lose by a one-goal margin to successfully defend their championship title.

At the pre-match press conference on the afternoon of 25/8, striker Nguyen Dinh Bac shared that the entire team remains focused and is not complacent. Whether as substitutes or starters, all players are united in their goal to win and dedicate the victory to the fans.

Duc Hung - Le Tan