The most anticipated overseas Vietnamese striker is still unable to train with the Vietnam national team.

Khoa Ngô, the overseas Vietnamese striker, was again absent from the second practice session of the Vietnam national team because he has yet to completely heal from the injury picked up at the close of the previous season.

The Vietnam national team has begun its first days of training during this gathering in preparation for the AFF Cup 2026. However, one of the most anticipated figures, overseas Vietnamese striker Khoa Ngô, has still not been able to join his teammates on the training field due to incomplete recovery from his injury.

In the second session led by coach Kim Sang Sik, Khoa Ngô was again absent. Alongside the player born in 2007, several other national team members such as Đỗ Duy Mạnh, Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh, and Lê Ngọc Bảo also did not train with the full squad but instead performed individual recovery exercises at the hotel. Meanwhile, Nguyễn Thành Chung and Khuất Văn Khang continued to train separately under the supervision of the medical team.

Khoa Ngô's situation has drawn special attention because this marks the first time this overseas Vietnamese player has been called up to the national team. His injury occurred during the final phase of the 2025/26 season while playing for CLB Công an TP.HCM. Although not in peak physical condition, the young player still made an effort to compete and helped his club win the National Cup before reporting to the national team camp.

Commenting on the squad situation, midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải stated that it is understandable for some players to be unable to train normally after a long and demanding season. According to the Vietnam national team captain, the players are being closely monitored by the coaching staff and medical team to ensure optimal fitness in the coming period. The whole team hopes that those with minor injuries will soon return to training with their teammates within the next few days.

Although he has not yet had the chance to play for the Vietnam national team, Khoa Ngô is still considered one of the most notable discoveries in Vietnamese football recently. Joining Công an TP.HCM from Australia midway through last season, this winger quickly made an impact with 3 goals and 1 assist in just 11 appearances. His impressive performances led the club to buy him outright and complete his naturalization process.

Not only experts but also coach Kim Sang Sik has shown special interest in Khoa Ngô over the past period. The South Korean coach is believed to have regularly tracked the young player's citizenship completion process before deciding to call him up to the national team. With his speed, close-range ball control, and unpredictable playing style, Khoa Ngô is expected to become a key figure for the Vietnam national team once he fully recovers from his injury.