Just after scoring, a very rare overseas Vietnamese player unexpectedly received bad news from Vietnam

The 2-1 win against PVF-CAND allowed Ho Chi Minh City Police FC (CA TP.HCM) to solidify their standing in the top competition, yet the team’s happiness was incomplete due to a major player setback in the following match.

The victory at the PVF stadium was meaningful not only for the points gained but also marked a clear advancement in CA TP.HCM’s style of play, especially thanks to the duo of overseas Vietnamese players Khoa Ngô and Lee Williams. While the 2006-born midfielder Khoa Ngô impressed strongly in his first V-League start with a goal that made it 2-0, Lee Williams continued to confirm his role as the “leader” upfront by scoring the opening goal in the first half.

The synergy between the two overseas Vietnamese players has become a remarkable highlight in CA TP.HCM’s tactical operation. In training, Khoa Ngô was praised for quickly adapting to the new environment, proactively communicating with senior players like Tiến Linh, Lê Giang, ... and especially with Lee Williams. After less than a week of training, Khoa Ngô was already able to speak Vietnamese quite fluently, which helped him easily connect with teammates.

The close moments between Khoa Ngô and Lee Williams during training sessions, from encouraging each other in competitive drills, openly chatting to taking photos together after practice, show a very positive bond forming. This harmony helped them play well together against PVF-CAND, with Lee Williams frequently coordinating smoothly with Khoa Ngô on the wing and in transition plays.

However, behind this convincing performance lies a significant cost. In the match on the evening of February 1st, Lee Williams received another yellow card, bringing his total to 3 yellow cards since the start of the 2025/2026 season. This means the 2007-born forward will have to sit out the away match against Thanh Hóa in the 13th round of the V-League.

This is considered a major loss for CA TP.HCM, as Lee Williams is a key link in coach Lê Huỳnh Đức’s tactical system. After 6 appearances (5 starts), he has scored 2 goals and contributed significantly to the team’s pressing, contesting, and pressing escape play.

In the context of a tight schedule and an increasingly fierce race at the top, Lee Williams’ suspension presents coach Lê Huỳnh Đức with a challenging personnel puzzle. The coaching staff will likely have to adjust their attacking strategy, maximizing the mobility of Khoa Ngô along with other key players such as Nguyễn Tiến Linh and foreign players to fill the gap left by Lee Williams.