Vietnam midfielder lauded by Thai fans for impressive display in ASEAN Cup final

Following the second leg of the ASEAN Cup final, numerous Thai websites and social media pages shared praises for Duc.

A popular Facebook post featuring his photo captioned "Win or lose, please forgive me" garnered hundreds of likes in a Thai community specializing in celebrities, sports and entertainment.

Comments from Thai netizens flooded the post, with many expressing curiosity and admiration with comments like: "I need information about him", "Turns out I'm not alone," and "He looks good and plays well."

Nguyen Hoang Duc (R) in Vietnam's 3-2 victory over Thailand in the 2024 ASEAN Cup final's second leg in Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 5, 2025. Photo by VnExpress

On TikTok, clips showcasing Duc's performance also gained great traction. One video highlighted his impressive moments on the pitch, while another captured him waving to fans after the trophy ceremony.

These posts attracted millions of views, a wave of praise and curious comments about the talented Vietnam midfielder.

Thai netizens' enthusiasm did not go unnoticed by Vietnamese fans, who shared their reactions under these posts.

"Everyone is crazy about Hoang Duc", "Hoang Duc is really attractive on the pitch" and "Thai netizens are curious about Hoang Duc just like Vietnamese fans are about Suphanat Mueanta" are some of the comments.

Throughout Vietnam's successful ASEAN Cup campaign, Duc played a pivotal role. Known for his intelligence, vision and ability to read the game, he consistently acted as a reliable engine in front of the defense. His skillful dribbling and composure in possession added sharpness to Vietnam's attacking play.

"It’s too difficult to take the ball from Hoang Duc's feet," read one comment on a football fanpage.

With a 5-3 aggregate victory over Thailand in the final, Vietnam claimed their third ASEAN Cup title, following triumphs in 2008 and 2018.

Duc, 26, is currently a key player of Vietnam national team and the number one choice in the midfield. He was called up for the first time in 2019, earning 48 caps and scoring two goals.