The untold story of the nearly 2 meter tall 'pole' Quang Kiet of the Vietnamese team

With a height of 1.96 m, Dinh Quang Kiet is the tallest player in the history of the Vietnamese national team. Behind this 18-year-old boy is a long and emotional story.

From plastic balls to national team jerseys

Dinh Quang Kiet is having a dreamy time on the Vietnam national team. At 18 years old, the nearly 2 meter tall boy has been given the opportunity to reach the highest level of the “Golden Star Warriors” for the first time by his teachers. This is a reward for the efforts, the desire to learn and the tireless efforts of the central defender from Thai Binh - who was once criticized as a “clumsy dinosaur” a few years ago.

Dinh Quang Kiet came to football from his love for the king of sports ; matches with plastic balls, leather balls at the village yard; the support of his cousins, uncles and his parents' wish to escape poverty. Until now, Quang Kiet still remembers the words his father gave him, after choosing to follow a career in football: "You have to try hard, make an effort. When you become successful, come back and build a house for your parents, okay?"

Quang Kiet is currently the tallest player on the Vietnam national team.

In contrast to his tall stature, Quang Kiet is an introverted and emotional player. Every time he talks about his parents, Kiet gets teary-eyed. Living away from home for the past 4-5 years has made him crave family love. Kiet often reminisces about his childhood, about the day he left his hometown Thai Binh to go to Vung Tau with his parents to make a living.

Kiet also sobbed from the day he failed the entrance exam to PVF Center until the chance to join HAGL through a tournament in Vung Tau. It is known that Kiet's parents originally weaved scarves, a traditional profession in Thai Binh. The change in the business world made it impossible for his family to stick with the job that his grandparents left behind. Kiet's whole family struggled to find work, sell hammocks, and screens before thinking of going to Vung Tau to find a living.

Tall boy Quang Kiet almost had his football dream unfinished

While his family was worried about leaving his homeland, Quang Kiet applied to the PVF Center. By the time he was in 5th grade, he was already over 1.60 m tall. His height, surpassing that of his peers, helped the 2007-born boy make it into the top 6 of the final qualifying round.

However, due to the ground conditions not meeting the standards, PVF Center decided to cancel the selection at that time. Quang Kiet was disappointed because of that objective reason. He and his parents went to Vung Tau after that with his football dream unfinished.

Quang Kiet in the HAGL youth team shirt

But the football fate still smiled on Quang Kiet. By the time he was in 8th grade, he was selected to participate in the U.13 tournament of Ba Ria - Vung Tau . At that time, he was over 1.70 m tall. The height advantage helped Quang Kiet get noticed by HAGL, before he started his training journey at the mountain town football team. Seeing Quang Kiet continue his dream of becoming a football player, all family members supported and encouraged him. After his cousin guided him to audition at PVF Center, Quang Kiet received support from his uncle when he lived in Vung Tau.

Returning from Brazil, Xuan Son went to the training ground with Nam Dinh Club

After a period of development at the youth level of the club, Quang Kiet first joined the U.16 Vietnam team in 2022. Although he is 1.90 m tall, due to limited skills, this player can only learn and practice through training sessions and professional meetings.

However, he was not discouraged. This player actively practiced every session, attentively listening to every analysis of the coaching staff. Obedient in daily activities, diligent in training and striving, Quang Kiet gradually improved.

Last year, when he was only 17 years old, this player was registered in the first team of HAGL. At the end of the second leg, in the context of Ly Duc's injury, Quang Kiet had the opportunity to play in a number of matches. This season, because his senior moved to the Hanoi Police Club, the player from Thai Binh was given the opportunity by the HAGL coaching staff to join the club's core group.

Quang Kiet's football dream became even more beautiful when he was opened the door to the Vietnam national team to learn. This will be a new promising chapter for the 2007-born boy to strive every day, for the simple dream that his father entrusted to him.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chuyen-chua-ke-ve-cay-sao-quang-kiet-cao-gan-2-m-cua-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-185250902185727157.htm