Doan Ngoc Tan is one of the new recruits of the Vietnamese team in the journey at ASEAN Cup 2024. The midfielder born in 1994 wore the national team jersey for the first time when he turned 30 years old.
However, Ngoc Tan had a very good performance, considered a "late bloomer" under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik.
At the ASEAN Cup 2024, Doan Ngoc Tan played 7/8 matches, including 6 starts and 1 substitute appearance. He also contributed an important goal to help the Vietnamese team draw with the Philippines away in the group stage.
Reporter: It's been more than a day since the Vietnamese team won the 2024 ASEAN Cup championship. How does Ngoc Tan feel now?
Doan Ngoc Tan: I still feel elated, like a dream... and the dream has now come true.
Reporter: Ngoc Tan is 30 years old this year, but this is his first time on the national team. How did he prepare mentally before the tournament?
Doan Ngoc Tan: Before coach Kim Sang-sik announced the team list, I didn't think about anything. Then, when I knew I was called up, I hoped to stay on the shortlist. Every day, my desire grew, then I hoped to have a starting position and finally win the cup with the Vietnam team.
Reporter: Surely the match against Laos is a special milestone for Ngoc Tan when he started in his first match for the Vietnamese team?
Doan Ngoc Tan: During the training, I tried my best and earned coach Kim's trust. I also hoped to be on the field in the starting lineup. Finally, that day came. When the time came to play, I was a bit nervous.
The audience watched and saw that I didn’t really play well because this was the first time I was called up to the national team and played as a starter, so I was still confused about many things. From the comments and suggestions from the fans, it was like a reminder for me to try harder, gain experience and improve myself.
Reporter: How did things change for you in the matches against Indonesia and the Philippines? Can you share about the moment you scored the only goal that helped Vietnam hold the Philippines to a draw?
Doan Ngoc Tan: Entering the matches against Indonesia and the Philippines, I was more confident and calmer to handle every situation in the match. I felt more familiar and in sync, and played more smoothly.
The goal against the Philippines was my life-long goal. In that situation, my job was not to stand in the penalty area but outside the 16m50 area to prepare for the second ball situation. However, in the corner kick situation after that, Van Thanh did not kick but let Hoang Duc.
So, I told Thanh to stay outside, while I ran inside, fooled the Philippine defender who was following closely, then slipped to the second post to receive the second ball. After the ball touched the Philippine goalkeeper's hand, it fell right into my range and I immediately scored.
Reporter: The match against Myanmar is considered a special match as the Vietnamese team has the service of a naturalized player after more than 15 years. How do you feel watching your teammate Xuan Son play?
Doan Ngoc Tan: Xuan Son is a good, quality player. Son's presence helps the Vietnamese team become stronger and more dangerous, and his teammates also believe more that they will win more easily. During the match, Xuan Son kept the ball, played a good wall to return it to me and Duc...
Reporter: How did the Vietnamese team feel in the first leg of the final? Did you feel any pressure when facing the top midfielders in Thai football today?
Doan Ngoc Tan: Before the match, the Vietnamese team was very determined, thinking that these were matches of a lifetime, we had to try our best to win the cup for the team and the Fatherland. I also discussed with the coaching staff to analyze the opponent. Everyone praised and respected Thailand but were not afraid. We thought we would defeat Thailand.
Reporter: What did coach Kim Sang-sik tell you before the two final matches?
Doan Ngoc Tan: During training sessions, coach Kim Sang-sik always prepares lesson plans and playing styles very carefully. Before going onto the field, he encourages the players' spirit and tells them: One is to be champion, two is to be champion, and three is to be champion.
Reporter: The away match against Thailand is truly an unpredictable one. So, before entering the second leg of the final at Rajamangala Stadium, is the Vietnamese team worried or overwhelmed when Thai fans continuously boo?
Doan Ngoc Tan: In the second leg of the final, we must prepare ourselves mentally to compete on fire, the Thai audience will shout a lot. The whole team told each other to try to stay calm and courageous to keep a good result. Coach Kim told us that this is not just a match but also an honor, we must fight with all our might to be able to plant the Vietnamese flag on the Thai field.
Reporter: Frankly admitting, Doan Ngoc Tan had an uncoordinated move with his teammates, leading to Thailand's equalizer. Can you share this?
Doan Ngoc Tan: After that wrong pass, I was a bit worried and scared because I had lost the advantage of my team. At that time, I just thought that I had to try to fix the mistake. My teammates encouraged me that it was okay, just try to focus, everyone makes mistakes and don't think about the situation anymore. In the tunnel at halftime, coach Kim said that there were 45 minutes left in the match, the players needed to be alert and focus on keeping a good result until the end of the match.
Reporter: What is your opinion about Supachok's controversial goal in the second half?
Doan Ngoc Tan: The Thai team should have played fairer and returned the ball to the Vietnamese team. At that time, Hoang Duc was really hurt and not was wasting time. But after this situation, the Vietnamese team learned a lesson to be more careful and focused. When the opponent was cornered, they did not play fair.
Reporter: The moment Hai Long scored, the ball slowly rolled into the Thai net while Suphanat was helpless. At that moment, how did Ngoc Tan and his teammates on the bench feel?
Doan Ngoc Tan: At that time, everyone stood outside near the track waiting for the referee's final whistle. When the whistle blew, I almost collapsed, everyone tried to correct my mistake and bring the championship trophy back.
Reporter: It seems like you were a bit shy and quiet after the final match, while your teammates were all celebrating happily. What was the reason?
Doan Ngoc Tan: Honestly, at that time, I was still scared and worried. If I hadn't won that day, I would have felt very guilty and remorseful.
Reporter: It seems like you were a bit shy and quiet after the final match, while your teammates were all celebrating happily. What was the reason?
Doan Ngoc Tan: Honestly, at that time, I was still scared and worried. If I hadn't won that day, I would have felt very guilty and remorseful.
Reporter: Your wife was very emotional after the final, how did she encourage you?
Doan Ngoc Tan: My wife encouraged me a lot, sharing that in football everyone makes mistakes sometimes, anyway the team has won the championship, if my teammates are happy then I should be happy with everyone, no need to think too much.
Reporter: After the journey at the ASEAN Cup 2024, what is the memorable story of Doan Ngoc Tan and coach Kim Sang-sik, especially when many people think that Mr. Kim was the one who brought him to light?
Doan Ngoc Tan: On the day of the team training session, the coach called me aside to talk privately, telling me that since I was here, I should try to perform well, not pay attention to the star players around me, I had to overcome myself to show myself, and meet the professional requirements well. Coach Kim encouraged me a lot. He was very gentle, in real life he was a friendly and lovable person. During training, sometimes he was quite strict to correct the players.
Reporter: After all, is this a dream for Doan Ngoc Tan?
Doan Ngoc Tan: Of course. Before, I didn't dare to think that I would be called up to the national team, stay, and play officially. Or "If I don't chase my dream, I might come back". Until now, I'm still in a daze, the dream has come true. I planned to borrow the trophy to take a photo of me holding it on the bed, but it hasn't been realized yet...
Reporter: Besides his expertise, Ngoc Tan is more known on social networks for his humorous “memes” (funny moments). Are you surprised by this?
Doan Ngoc Tan: I was really surprised, because those actions were just normal reactions. When I got home, I called my wife to ask why it went viral like that, I even asked her what a "meme" was. My wife just smiled. The moment she frowned and "humphed" during the post-match interview was because the stadium was so noisy at that time, I couldn't hear clearly so I wanted to ask the reporter again.
The moment of shaking hands with the referee after the first leg of the final was nothing special. Normally at Dong A Thanh Hoa club, I am the captain so after the match I usually shake hands to thank the referee. This time with the national team was the same. When I finished shaking hands, I didn't pay attention to the referee's eyes, but only after going online did I notice his surprised expression (laughs). And there was definitely no favoritism from the referee towards the Vietnamese team.
Reporter: After winning the ASEAN Cup, Doan Ngoc Tan did not return home to attend the celebration ceremony but stayed in Thailand to join Dong A Thanh Hoa. Did you feel sad?
Doan Ngoc Tan: Just a little bit, but it's okay. I and some of my Hanoi Police Club brothers will have to compete in the Southeast Asian Cup C1. The journey has been very long and the schedule is tight, although I'm a bit tired, I still try to recover well to continue to play well with Thanh Hoa team in the upcoming match against PG Pathum (Thailand) and then the V.League matches.
Reporter: Honestly, does Doan Ngoc Tan want to "go viral"?
Doan Ngoc Tan: In 2018, if I remember correctly, the final match took place on December 15, the day before I got married. I watched the match at home with a few friends and then prepared for important tasks to pick up the bride the next day. 6 years later, I never thought that I would be a part of the Vietnamese team - the ones who created the "storm". I also really wanted to join in, the atmosphere was wonderful.
Reporter: Back at the club, many teammates teased that this year Doan Ngoc Tan would have a very "warm" Tet, how did Tan respond?
Doan Ngoc Tan: Tet is always cold, but this year it will be warmer because of the joy of winning the ASEAN Cup. All Vietnamese people will also celebrate Tet more happily, this cup is for everyone.
Doan Ngoc Tan: Finally, I would like to thank the fans nationwide who have always followed and accompanied the team during the recent ASEAN Cup journey. Thank you Lao Dong newspaper for giving me the opportunity to share more about myself with readers.
