A crucial turning point for Ngo Dang Khoa

Officially becoming a Vietnamese citizen will be a crucial turning point, bringing striker Ngo Dang Khoa closer to his dream of playing for the U.23 and senior Vietnamese national teams.

On the morning of May 13th, the Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club, Tran Hong Minh, along with the Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Justice, Nguyen Van Vu, presented Ngo Dang Khoa with the President 's decision granting him Vietnamese citizenship. This is considered a crucial turning point for the 2006-born striker, bringing him closer to his dream of playing for the Vietnam U23 team at the 20th Asian Games in September in Japan. It is understood that in the next few days, the player, born in Perth (Australia) and with both parents of Vietnamese origin, will receive his Citizen Identification Card (CCCD) and Vietnamese passport. Furthermore, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) is actively contacting the 20th Asian Games Organizing Committee to supplement the necessary documents, hoping that Khoa will be eligible to play at the 20th Asian Games and participate in the training camp in South Korea in early July.

Ngo Dang Khoa officially becomes a Vietnamese citizen.

PHOTO: QUOC VIET

Turning 20 on June 30th, Ngo Dang Khoa is considered one of the most impressive young Vietnamese-born players in the V-League 2025-2026. Despite joining the V-League in the second half of the season, the 1.65m tall player quickly earned the trust of his teammates and became a key player thanks to his adaptability and dynamic playing style. To date, he has scored 3 goals, helping Ho Chi Minh City Police FC secure 9 points in 3 victories against PVF-CAND (2-1, 1-0) and HAGL (1-0). Based on his performances in the V-League 2025-2026, Khoa is expected to be a quality addition to the Vietnam U23 attack. At that time, coach Kim Sang-sik would have a formidable attacking trio consisting of center forward Le Phat and the dynamic duo of Khoa Ngo and Van Thuan on the flanks, along with Quoc Viet, who could play flexibly from the left wing into the center. Clearly, the potential of these attacking players is immense.

Ngo Dang Khoa shared: "I am very happy and grateful to officially become a Vietnamese citizen. My first feeling is one of genuine appreciation and gratitude to the leadership, coaching staff, and teammates at the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club for their immense support in helping me receive the decision to become a Vietnamese citizen. Throughout this time, thanks to everyone at the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club, I have quickly adapted to the climate, environment, people, and football in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam." In recent days, he has been training intensively to prepare with the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club for their match against Da Nang FC in Round 23 of the V-League 2025-2026, which will take place at Binh Duong Stadium on May 15th.

Dang Khoa added: "I would be very happy to play for the U23 and the Vietnamese national team. I hope the procedural issues will be resolved soon so that I can participate in the upcoming ASIAD 20, and further, the SEA Games 34 in 2027 and the U23 Asian Championship 2028 (which is also the qualifying round for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics). I believe I can contribute to the U23 Vietnamese team as well as the Vietnamese national team, which brings together very talented players like Quang Hai, Dinh Bac... I have watched them play a lot and it is clear that the Vietnamese national team is getting stronger every day. Football is very popular in Vietnam. I believe the day will soon come when Vietnam participates in the Olympics and the World Cup, and I hope that I will be a part of that team."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/buoc-ngoat-quan-trong-cua-ngo-dang-khoa-185260513192646723.htm