Vietnamese-American player Khoa Ngô receives high praise from coach Lê Huỳnh Đức

Ho Chi Minh City Police Club achieved a minimal 1-0 win against Dong Nai in the quarter-finals of the 2025/2026 National Cup at Thống Nhất Stadium, and the focus after the match was on Khoa Ngô's standout display. The 20-year-old received abundant commendation from the coaching team and professional observers.

The sole goal of the match came from a penalty kick, executed by none other thanKhoa Ngô.

Notably, this opportunity arose from a swift breakthrough by the Vietnamese-American player, forcing Huỳnh Tấn Sinh to commit a foul inside the penalty area, resulting in a red card after referee Trần Ngọc Nhớ consulted VAR.

From the penalty spot, despite Nguyễn Tiến Linh being the usual penalty-taker, he willingly passed the chance to his younger teammate. Khoa Ngô made no mistake, calmly beating Bùi Tấn Trường to secure the crucial victory, sending his team into the semi-finals against Nam Định.

After the match,Coach Lê Huỳnh Đứclavished praise on Khoa Ngô: "He has shown improvement in his playstyle and delivered a very good performance."

This is not the first time the 2006-born player has impressed, but this performance further solidifies his position as a key game-changer in the lineup ofHo Chi Minh City Police.

Not only the head coach, but Dong Nai assistant coach Trương Đình Luật also offered effusive compliments for Khoa Ngô. He shared: "It's been a long time since I've seen a winger play so well.

He is agile, skillful in dribbling, and very intelligent. Since my playing days until now, I've only seen a player with such qualities." This remark highlights the uniqueness of Khoa Ngô, who is bringing a fresh dynamic to the team's gameplay.

Meanwhile, Tiến Linh extended his goal drought to over 12 matches, despite having clear opportunities in this game. However, Coach Lê Huỳnh Đức still defended his player: "Tiến Linh needs more time. I have supported him greatly, but mentality is most crucial. For strikers, such phases occur; there's no need for excessive worry."

At a time when many key players are not at peak form, the emergence of a young player like Khoa Ngô—full of speed, technique, and confidence—is a valuable bright spot.

Not only scoring the decisive goal, he also demonstrated potential to become one of the most notable figures in Vietnamese football in the near future.