Lee Williams: Harry Kane and Robbie Fowler advised him to move to the V-League.
The 18-year-old striker of Ho Chi Minh City Police scored his first goal against Ninh Binh on November 9th and revealed that he received advice from Harry Kane and Robbie Fowler to choose the V-League, impressed by its intensity and fast pace.
Just a few days after scoring his first goal for Ho Chi Minh City Police in the match against Ninh Binh on the evening of November 9th, Lee Williams revealed the reason he chose to return to Vietnam to play: advice from Harry Kane and Robbie Fowler that the V-League is a suitable environment to gain experience and develop himself.
Advice from Harry Kane and Robbie Fowler
“I’m only 18 years old and my professional football career is just beginning, so it’s absolutely essential that I seek advice from famous players and former players. Harry Kane and Robbie Fowler are legends of English football, so their insights and advice are incredibly important.”
Lee Williams added: “According to Harry Kane and Robbie Fowler, leagues like the V-League are great for me to gain playing experience and develop myself. Based on this analysis, I decided to come to Vietnam.”
The first goal and a boost of confidence.
In the match between Ho Chi Minh City Police and Ninh Binh on the evening of November 9th, Lee Williams scored his first goal for the home team at Thong Nhat Stadium, also his first goal since returning to Vietnam to play. This goal immediately put the striker born in 2007 in the spotlight of fans and the media, marking an early milestone in his professional career.
V-League: High intensity, fast-paced action, and opportunities for strikers.
After five appearances and training sessions, Williams admitted that the pace and intensity of the V-League were a real test: “The intensity in the V-League is very high, both in training and matches. This made it difficult for me to adapt. However, it also helped me develop myself more.”
He was particularly impressed with the rapid transitions: “I am impressed and very excited by the fast-paced, transitional style of play that teams in the V-League, including Ho Chi Minh City Police Football Club, are implementing. As a striker, I like this because it gives me more opportunities to score goals.” From the 18-year-old's own experience, it's clear that an environment that emphasizes transitions creates space behind the opponent's defense – a type of situation where a striker's instincts are clearly showcased.
Integrating into the Ho Chi Minh City Police force: Tien Linh and coach Le Huynh Duc
Williams' adaptation wasn't just limited to the pitch. He emphasized the role of captain Nguyen Tien Linh: "Not only on the field, but also in daily life, captain Tien Linh has helped me a lot. Now, after more than a month here, I see that the bond between us is getting better and better."
The role of the coaching staff is also very clear. Williams expressed his gratitude: “Coach Duc helped me a lot. In particular, he is a legend of Vietnamese football, so we had many conversations and exchanges, which helped me improve and adapt quickly in training and competition. I am very grateful to Coach Duc.”
Personal goals and their significance for the attacking line.
At the juncture of his career, after 5 appearances and one pivotal goal, Williams clearly defined his goal: “My personal goal in the V-League is to score as many goals as possible and constantly improve every day to continue contributing to the team achieving the best possible results in Vietnam’s top league.”
In the context of Ho Chi Minh City Police's emphasis on quick transitions, a forward who prefers vertical movement like Williams – confident in his ability to cut inside when the team accelerates – promises to add a competitive edge to the attack, alongside the guidance of Nguyen Tien Linh and the disciplined framework of coach Le Huynh Duc. This provides a foundation for him to accumulate experience, refine his finishing skills, and await more decisive moments like his first goal at Thong Nhat Stadium.
