Nguyen Thanh Chung cannot continue to accompany the Vietnamese national team due to physical problems. Coach Kim Sang-sik has chosen Ngo Dang Khoa to replace him in the list of preparations for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.
Ngo Dang Khoa was born in 2006, currently playing for the Ho Chi Minh City Police team. This is the second time this striker has been called up to the Vietnamese national team in 2026.
Previously, Ngo Dang Khoa was named in the Vietnamese national team gathering in June. However, this player had to leave the team early after being determined to have a chêm cartilage injury.
After a period of treatment, Ngo Dang Khoa returned to play in the new season. The striker born in 2006 was given a chance in the 2nd half of the match where Ho Chi Minh City Police Club won against Hanoi 3-1. After that, he continued to be used in the match in round 2 at Bac Ninh stadium.
In the 2025-2026 season, Ngo Dang Khoa joined the Ho Chi Minh City Police team from phase 2 and quickly left his mark. He scored 4 goals, including 3 goals in the V.League and 1 goal in the National Cup, contributing to helping the Ho Chi Minh City team finish the season in the top 5 leading teams in the V.League and win the National Cup.
In May 2026, Ngo Dang Khoa and goalkeeper Le Giang Patrik were awarded the decision to naturalize Vietnamese. Completing the nationality procedures helps this striker qualify to wear the jerseys of Vietnamese national teams.
Ngo Dang Khoa is assessed as having speed and the ability to create breakthroughs in one-on-one situations. Returning to the Vietnamese national team also opens up another personnel option for coach Kim Sang-sik in the attack.
Previously, the list of Vietnam national team preparing for FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 included 3 players from Ho Chi Minh City Police team including goalkeeper Le Giang Patrik, center-back Nhat Minh and striker Williams Minh Hoang. With Ngo Dang Khoa being called up to replace Thanh Chung, Ho Chi Minh City Police club currently has 4 players participating in the national team.
FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is a tournament that the Vietnamese national team is aiming for in the late year. The addition of Ngo Dang Khoa helps coach Kim Sang-sik have more options in the front line, in the context that the national team has to calculate personnel after Thanh Chung's injury.
