The Vietnamese football team creates a sensation by fielding 3 overseas Vietnamese players in the V.League

Ho Chi Minh City Police FC made history in the 2025/26 V.League by including three overseas Vietnamese players in their starting lineup during the away game versus PVF-CAND (round 12).

During the away match at PVF-CAND’s stadium, HCMC Police attracted attention by fielding three players of overseas Vietnamese origin, namely Patrik Lê Giang (born in Slovakia), Lee Williams (born in England), and Khoa Ngô (born in Australia). This is considered the first time in V.League history, since the league imposed limits on foreign and overseas Vietnamese players, that a club has fielded three overseas Vietnamese players simultaneously in an official match lineup.

According to current V.League regulations, each club is allowed to register a maximum of two overseas Vietnamese players on their competition roster. Therefore, HCMC Police’s use of all three players raised questions among fans about the legality. Even goalkeeper Patrik Lê Giang, who has completed Vietnamese naturalization procedures, cannot be classified as a domestic player this season because he was registered as an overseas Vietnamese player from the start of the season.

However, the key point lies in the case of Khoa Ngô. Unlike Lee Williams and Patrik Lê Giang, this 2006-born midfielder is not counted as one of the club’s overseas Vietnamese slots. On the VPF official website, Khoa Ngô is registered as a domestic player under his official name Ngô Đăng Khoa. This is because he holds Vietnamese citizenship on his record and meets the legal criteria to be considered a domestic player under the regulations of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Thus, legally, HCMC Police effectively only uses two true overseas Vietnamese players (Lee Williams and Patrik Lê Giang), while Khoa Ngô counts as a domestic player. This is the basis that allows coach Lê Huỳnh Đức to include all three players in the starting lineup without breaching league rules.

Born in Perth (Australia) to Vietnamese parents, Khoa Ngô possesses “100% Vietnamese blood.” He is highly regarded for his technical skills, agility, and modern ball-handling intelligence. Although only 1.65 meters tall, this young midfielder compensates with speed, dribbling ability, and finesse in tight spaces.

Before joining HCMC Police, Khoa Ngô impressed in the Western Australia NPL and spent time with the Perth Glory first team. In the 2025/26 V.League season, after 11 rounds, he has appeared 6 times, often used as an impact substitute before making his first start in round 12.