Vietnamese forward Pham Tuan Hai called his parents immediately after Vietnam clinched a victory over Thailand in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup final, witnessing hundreds of fans celebrating in his home yard.
Hai’s parents Pham Ngoc Dam, 56, and Ta Thi Thuy, 53 erected a tent on the sidewalk outside their home in the northern city of Phu Ly and in adjacent areas on Sunday afternoon to support the Vietnam national team.
Hai, 27, was not selected for the starting lineup in Vietnam’s early tournament matches. Although disappointed, Dam and his wife concealed their emotions, consistently encouraging Hai to stay positive for any opportunity to contribute to the team during their calls.
They did not anticipate his inclusion in the starting lineup for the final either but nevertheless prepared by setting up a tent, renting a large screen, and inviting locals to join them in support of the team. Their astonishment was evident just before the game when Hai sent a text to his older brother revealing that he would indeed be starting.
“My whole family was so elated that nobody even ate,” Thuy explained.
Hundreds of spectators also assembled at the family’s home to watch the match.
Just eight minutes into the game, the crowd burst into jubilation when Hai scored. Cheers and laughter filled the air, while Thuy shed tears of joy.
“I am happy because after all the effort, my son is finally recognized,” she said, with her voice trembling with emotion.
Thuy and Dam then joined the enthusiastic crowd on the streets of Phu Ly city, celebrating the Vietnam team’s victory all night long. The festivities continued until Monday morning, with Thuy and Hai’s siblings waving flags and banners. Later, the family planned to travel to Hanoi Monday noon to welcome Hai and his teammates.
Hai’s journey to this point was filled with highs and lows that often caused Dam and Thuy considerable worry. From a tender age, he showed a clear aptitude for football, frequently sneaking out to play with a plastic ball in the neighborhood.
“He would pretend he needed to go to school on his days off just so he could go outside and play football,” Dam recalled.
After witnessing his natural ability in football, Hai’s relatives and neighbors suggested to Dam that he should allow his son to formally train in the sport. However, with no familial ties to soccer, Dam was hesitant to let his young son leave home.
At the age of nine, Hai requested his parents’ permission to travel to Hanoi for what he claimed was a leisure trip, but he actually accompanied his uncle to a tryout at the capital’s Gia Lam academy. Despite it being outside the official recruitment period, Hai was accepted. Realizing their son’s passion for soccer and that he had already made some headway, Hai’s parents reluctantly consented to let him pursue his dreams.
Thuy would travel every weekend to the academy to bring Hai home. During these visits, she not only cared for her son but also assisted his teammates by cleaning their rooms and bedding.
“Back then, the academy lacked a kitchen, forcing the kids to rely on street food, which was hard for them,” Thuy noted.
Thuy remembered that each time Hai called her, he expressed how much he missed her but continued to persevere because of his love for soccer. However, his penchant for mischief often led him to sneak out of the academy to play video games late into the night after his peers had gone to sleep. His behavior resulted in him being stripped of his captaincy and suspended from training with the U13 team. For nearly a year, he was relegated to merely watching his teammates practice from the sidelines.
Concerned about his direction, Thuy traveled to Hanoi with an intention of withdrawing his school records and bringing him back home.
“My husband and I were worried he might stray from a good path, so we decided it was best for him to return home and resume his schooling,” she explained.
However, on the day she arrived to take him home, a coach at the academy advocated strongly for Hai, urging that he be given another chance. Moved by the coach’s support and Hai’s promise to adhere to the rules, Thuy allowed him to stay at the academy.
Following that, Hai rededicated himself to training and competing. His parents consistently attended his games, providing unwavering support from the sidelines.
In the 2016 National U19 Championship, Hai emerged as the top scorer, netting six goals for Hanoi Football Club. That same year, he played a pivotal role in helping the Hanoi U21 team defend their national championship title, where he again topped the scoring charts in the final round with three goals. His outstanding performances earned him a spot on the tournament’s best team lineup.
Although he excelled in youth tournaments, Hai initially struggled to secure a spot on the national team. He missed participating in the U23 Asian Cup finals in 2018 and 2020, as well as the 30th SEA Games in 2019.
Hai’s breakthrough came in 2021 when he made his official debut with the Vietnam national team. The forward quickly established himself as a key player, and in 2023, he was awarded Vietnam’s Silver Ball prize.
His impact was clearly demonstrated in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup final held on Sunday, where he contributed one goal and an assist that resulted in an own goal by a Thai player, playing a crucial role in Vietnam’s victory.
Winning the ASEAN Cup title with his teammates wasn’t Hai’s only dream realized this year. He also amassed enough capital to construct a modern, well-equipped house for his parents, fulfilling another cherished childhood aspiration.
“In the past, he always said he would play soccer, earn money, and build a house for us,” Thuy recalled.
