From a poor ethnic Co Ho village in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, K Thua has carved out a remarkable journey of resilience, passion, and ambition - shining on Asia’s biggest football stages and embodying the spirit of Vietnamese women’s football.

The goal that sparked a historic comeback

The Ho Chi Minh City women's football club made history by defeating Abu Dhabi Country 5-4 in the quarterfinals of the 2025 AFC Women’s Champions League, staging one of the most incredible comebacks in the tournament’s history.

Trailing by three goals at halftime, the team’s fightback began when K Thua netted in the 64th minute, narrowing the score to 1-3. Her goal sparked a stunning turnaround, eventually securing the club a ticket to the semifinals.

In that match, K Thua not only scored the opening comeback goal but also played a pivotal role in the winning goal. Applying relentless pressure on an opposing defender, she forced an own goal that sealed the 5-4 victory.

The young Co Ho midfielder drew widespread acclaim from experts, journalists, and fans. On a day when veterans like Thuy Trang and Huynh Nhu failed to score, her entrance at the start of the second half proved decisive.

Following the historic win, K Thua was named Player of the Match. Her determined performance and wholehearted dedication made her a symbol of perseverance.

Throughout Ho Chi Minh City’s campaign in Asia’s premier club competition, K Thua stood out with her speed, stamina, and technical skills. As a central midfielder, she was key in dictating play and creating scoring chances.

In the semifinals, she and her teammates will face Wuhan Jiangda of China on May 21 in an away fixture.

K Thua has also been instrumental in her club’s domestic dominance. Even without stars like Huynh Nhu, Bich Thuy, and Kim Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City has remained the top team in Vietnam - thanks in no small part to her presence.

Her nickname, “Khong Thua” (“Undefeated”), adds an amusing twist - stemming from the way her name appears on her jersey: “K THUA.”

Sending home $100–120 a month

Born in Phi To commune, Lam Ha district, Lam Dong province, K Thua grew up in a financially struggling household. Her parents worked as laborers in the fields to support their four children. Due to hardships, she had to leave school in 9th grade to help out at home.

From an early age, K Thua was captivated by football, often playing with friends on empty village grounds. One day, she scored seven goals in a single match, catching the eye of coach Tuyet Mai, who persuaded her to pursue the sport professionally.

At 16, K Thua left her hometown to join the Ho Chi Minh City women's club, embarking on a journey full of dreams and challenges.

Initially shy and lacking confidence, she kept to herself. But with support from coaches and teammates, the young Co Ho player gradually opened up and matured rapidly.

Vietnamese Golden Ball winner Tran Thi Thuy Trang praised her younger teammate: “She’s talented, eager to learn, confident, and resilient. If given more chances to prove herself, I believe K Thua will become a standout name in Vietnamese women’s football.”

Not only does she excel on the football pitch, but K Thua is also an outstanding futsal player. Earlier in 2025, she played a key role in helping the Vietnam women’s futsal team qualify for the AFC finals. Their goal now is to secure one of three spots at the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025 in the Philippines later this year.

While chasing her dream of wearing the national team jersey, K Thua never forgets her roots. She diligently saves part of her wages and bonuses to support her family.

“Besides covering my personal expenses, I can send home about 2.5 to 3 million dong (USD 100–120) each month,” K Thua shared. “That’s not a small amount for Co Ho families. It motivates me to train harder - because the better I play, the better income I have to support my family.”

Dai Nam