The central defender who won the top scorer title at U19 was immediately promoted to the V-League

Hoàng Minh Hợi, the leading scorer in the 2026 National U19 Championship, has been called up to SLNA's senior squad.

After an extremely surprising 4-1 victory over Thể Công Viettel in round 13, Sông Lam Nghệ An ended the first half of the season on a high note. However, instead of resting on their laurels, the coaching staff immediately began preparing for the remainder of the season. The most notable move was the decision to promote two young players from the U19 squad to the first team.

The two selected players are fullback Nguyễn Tấn Minh and central defender Hoàng Minh Hợi. This is not just an experiment but a response to urgent needs. SLNA's defense is heavily impacted as Hồ Văn Cường suffered a ligament injury requiring a long recovery, and Mai Hoàng has yet to return due to ankle issues.

Among the two rookies, Minh Hợi has made a significant impact in the youth league. At this year's National U19 Championship, the 2007-born player achieved a rare feat by becoming the top scorer as a central defender with 4 goals. Besides being solid defensively, he also knows how to appear at the right moment during set pieces.

Standing over 1.8 meters tall with a well-balanced physique, Minh Hợi demonstrates maturity beyond his years. His standout qualities include reading the game effectively and proactively intercepting the ball, rather than just clearing it. His ability to initiate plays from the back is also smooth, opening quick attacking options for the whole team.

On the day he received the call-up to the first team, Minh Hợi admitted he was surprised but highly determined. The young defender understands that the V.League environment is much tougher than the U19 level, so he aims to train seriously, learn from senior players to adapt quickly, and be ready to seize any opportunity given.

On the flank, Tấn Minh also brings high expectations. Though not particularly tall, this fullback impresses with his aggressive playing style, relentless up-and-down runs, and highly accurate crosses. Notably, his long throw-ins could become a potent tactical weapon, adding another dimension to SLNA’s arsenal in the fierce second half of the season.

By defeating PVF CAND, SLNA claimed the National U19 Championship title

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