Minh Khoa was praised for his first time wearing the Vietnamese national team jersey.

24-year-old midfielder Vo Hoang Minh Khoa will wear the Vietnamese national team jersey for the first time during FIFA Days in March 2025 - Photo: ANH KHOA

In the 5-0 victory over Laos, Group F of the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup, coach Kim Sang Sik created a small surprise when he placed Vo Hoang Minh Khoa to replace mainstay Doan Ngoc Tan in the center of the Vietnamese team's midfield.

Who is Vo Hoang Minh Khoa?

Vo Hoang Minh Khoa was born in 2001 in Tan Uyen, Binh Duong, is 1.73m tall and specializes in playing as a central midfielder. Since 2019, he has been noticed by domestic experts when he played most prominently for the U19 B.Binh Duong team at the National U19 Tournament in Pleiku.

After that tournament, Vo Hoang Minh Khoa was promoted to the first team of B.Binh Duong.

But Khoa's development was interrupted by injury until mid-2021 when he returned to competition.

According to Transfermarkt statistics, Minh Khoa has had a total of 69 appearances, scored 5 goals and had 11 assists in domestic tournaments for B.Binh Duong.

At the youth team level, from March 2022, Minh Khoa began to be called up to the Vietnam U23 team under coach Park Hang Seo and assistant Lee Yong Jin.

It was not until 2023 that he became a mainstay in the squad under coach Hoang Anh Tuan, and shone when he contributed to helping U23 Vietnam win the 2023 Southeast Asian U23 Championship and reach the quarterfinals of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship.

The Vietnam - Laos match (5-0) was a new milestone in the career of the midfielder from Tan Uyen when he first wore the shirt and played in an official match for the national team.

Vo Hoang Minh Khoa once attracted attention at the 2019 National U19 Tournament, but his development was halted due to injury until mid-2021 - Photo: HOANG TUNG

Coach Kim made the right choice.

Minh Khoa played the full 90 minutes, impressing with his tenacity, helping his partner Hoang Duc to be freed from defensive duties.

Not only that, Khoa also demonstrated his ability to control the ball relatively well, with at least 3 passes that opened up attacking situations that could score goals for his teammates on the front line.

Minh Khoa's appearance reminds us of Do Hung Dung, who at the peak of his career was an indispensable pillar under coach Park Hang Seo.

At the post-match press conference, when asked about Minh Khoa's performance, coach Kim Sang Sik said: "Minh Khoa performed well as a central midfielder, his movement was good. I was right to choose Minh Khoa. And I believe he will do better in the next matches."

Talking to Tuoi Tre Online , Minh Khoa commented that he only played at an acceptable level and still had many weaknesses that needed improvement.

The appearance of new players such as Minh Khoa (9), Chau Ngoc Quang (8) or Bui Vi Hao (15) is bringing new vitality to the Vietnamese team - Photo: ANH KHOA

Speaking more about the instructions from coach Kim Sang Sik, the midfielder born in 2001 said: "The head coach told me to confidently play according to what I have practiced, maintain my form and maximize my strengths.

Truly, in my first time wearing the Vietnamese national team jersey, I feel very happy and proud to be able to devote myself to the flag and the shirt. The whole team always tries their best to bring back the best results, not letting down the love and trust of the fans."

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lan-dau-khoac-ao-tuyen-viet-nam-minh-khoa-duoc-khen-2025032618441399.htm