After SEA Games 33, shooter Phi Thanh Thao and center-back Ly Duc were paired by many fans. Although the two did not confirm their relationship, they still interacted and commented intimately on social networks.
Two athletes were noticed after Vietnam's victory over Thailand in the final of the Games. The female shooter appeared in the stands of Rajamangala stadium, watching a football match live for the first time. Here, Thanh Thao also revealed that she was most impressed with player number 3 - Ly Duc.
After the match, the two became closer. Notably, many fans shared a photo of Thanh Thao visiting Ly Duc's house in Tay Ninh in 2025.
Below the posts on Phi Thanh Thao's personal page, center-back Ly Duc also regularly commented and encouraged the female shooter. Since then, public opinion has speculated more about the relationship between the two young athletes.
Phi Thanh Thao was born in 2004 in Thach That, Hanoi. She belongs to the Army shooting team, is one of the potential young shooters of Vietnam. At the recent SEA Games 33, she won a silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle team event and broke 1 Games record.
Center-back Ly Duc was born in 2003, from Tay Ninh. The 1m82 tall striker grew up from the Nutifood training academy (Nutifood JMG Football Academy), and used to play for Ba Ria - Vung Tau club in the National First Division 2023 - 2024.
Last season, he played for Hoang Anh Gia Lai before joining Hanoi Police in July 2025. In addition to the SEA Games gold medal, he and his teammates also won the U23 Southeast Asian Championship 2025 and won tickets to the 2026 AFC U23 Championship finals.
