On Sunday afternoon, at the cultural house in a village in Hanoi’s suburban Son Tay district, Tan’s father Doan Ngoc Tien, 60, was busy setting up a tent for the neighborhood to watch the ASEAN Cup final second leg between Vietnam and Thailand.

Tien said he ordered a feast for neighbors, hung banners with the national team’s image and organized cultural performances in anticipation of a victory for his son and his teammates.

“I am proud and moved,” he said. “After so many years of effort my son has finally achieved his dream.”

Tan’s mother, Nguyen Thi Nam, also 60, recounted how from a young age her son was passionate about football.

“He wouldn’t sleep at noon, always grabbing a plastic ball to sneak off to play football, despite being constantly scolded by me,” she said.

At 15 Tan was recruited by The Cong Football Club after shining in local tournaments. He went on to play for Hoa Phat, ACB and Viettel clubs.

After Viettel failed to advance and was dissolved a year later, he returned home and worked as a construction worker with his father. Sunburned during those days, he was nicknamed “Tan den” (Dark Tan).

To keep his passion for football alive and earn money, he played in local tournaments.

In 2015 he signed with Hai Phong Football Club. However, he mostly sat in the stands during that period.

During his lowest moments he would call his father and ask “Should I quit this profession?”

Despite feeling sorry for his son, Tien encouraged him: “You have to strive on the path you have chosen. Give your all, and one day your coaches will recognize you.”

Tan was loaned to Ho Chi Minh City Club during the 2016 V. League 2 season, and he played regularly to help the club move up to V. League 1. He then returned to Hai Phong, avoiding the fate of sitting in the stands. He transferred to Thanh Hoa Football Club in 2020 and has been playing there ever since.

At Thanh Hoa fans have nicknamed him “the man with no lungs” for his incredible work rate. He has played 50 of the club’s last 54 matches in V. League 1, and the full 90 minutes in 11 of the last 12 games.

Doan Ngoc Tan’s mother Nguyen Thi Nam (Back L) and sister (Back R) and his nieces in front of their village cultural house, Jan. 5, 2024. Photo by Read/Pham Nga

Since his son was excelling in professional football, Tien was often asked: “How come your son plays so well but hasn’t been called up for the national team?”

He would respond: “Tan is getting on in age, so he probably won’t be called up any more.”

But on the first and 15th of every lunar month, when he lit incense at his family altar, he would pray for the day his son played for the national team.

When they learned of Tan’s selection for this year’s ASEAN Cup, both he and Nam were moved to tears.

“All the hopes and dreams of my son and our family have become a reality,” Tien said.

Throughout the season, whenever Tan played for the national team in Vietnam, his parents and other relatives have been traveling to the stadium to support him though Nam has difficulty walking due to a stroke she suffered.

Midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan. Photo from Tan’s Facebook

Tan as usual has given his all in every match, contributing to the team’s success. In the match against the Philippines on Dec. 18, he scored a crucial goal in the final minutes of stoppage time, bringing tears of joy to his parents.

“He not only starts in most matches but also makes significant contributions,” Tien said.

His prediction of a win for Vietnam against Thailand in the Sunday match came true, with the team clinching a 3-2 second-leg victory for a 5-3 aggregate win, with Tan again in the starting.