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Williams Minh Hoang plays in Vietnam’s 1-0 victory over the Philippines in Group B match of the FIFA ASEAN Cup Division 1 at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, Indonesia on Sept. 26, 2026. Photo by Read/Duc Dong |
Born Lee Oliver Grant Williams in Manchester, England, the 19-year-old striker has quickly established himself in Southeast Asian football. After returning to Vietnam for the 2025-2026 season, he excelled for V. League 1 club Cong An HCMC. He scored six league goals and added two more in the National Cup, where his club eventually secured the title.
Earlier this year, he obtained Vietnamese citizenship and was called up to the national team by head coach Kim Sang-sik. He made an immediate impact during his international debut, using his 1.9m height and physique to excel in duels before providing a crucial pass that set up Nguyen Dinh Bac’s goal in a 1-0 victory over the Philippines at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup on Sept. 26.
Speaking to the press ahead of a training session in Indonesia the next day, Williams opened up about his years in England.
As a youth player, he was a student of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler and had an encounter with Harry Kane that helped shape his career path.
“I met Harry, and he advised me to return to Vietnam, my homeland,” Williams said. “Harry believed this would be a turning point for my personal development.”
Both Fowler and Kane are icons of English football. Fowler scored 183 goals for Liverpool and played for Manchester City and Leeds United before concluding his career in Australia and Thailand. Kane remains the all-time leading scorer and current captain of the England national team, alongside a stellar career with Bayern Munich.
Reflecting on his debut for Vietnam, Williams described it as a special moment. He credited the coaching staff and his teammates for making his integration seamless, emphasizing that the squad’s unity encourages every player to give their all.
Williams also expressed regret over the injury of his attacking partner, Nguyen Xuan Son, who had to leave the tournament early. He noted that Son’s absence is a major blow to the national team and wished him a speedy recovery back to the pitch.
Following a 0-2 defeat to Thailand on Tuesday, Williams and his teammates must now defeat Pakistan in their final group-stage match to secure second place in Group B. A victory would advance them to the third-place play-off, where they would face either Indonesia or Malaysia.