Just after leaving the Vietnam national team, a rare overseas Vietnamese player now faces a major setback.

The meniscus tear leaves overseas Vietnamese midfielder Ngo Dang Khoa facing the possibility of missing the ASIAD 20 and numerous important competitions for Vietnamese sides.

The dream of appearing at the ASIAD 20 tournament for overseas Vietnamese midfielder Ngo Dang Khoa is now at risk of being cut short due to an injury sustained during the training camp with the Vietnam national team. The 2006-born rookie has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 meniscus tear and will need about three months of rest for treatment, making a timely return for important tournaments in September highly unlikely.

According to MRI results, Ngo Dang Khoa's injury does not require surgery at this time but demands a strict recovery process. During the entire training camp with the Vietnam national team, the 19-year-old could not participate in any specialized training sessions and only underwent treatment and rehabilitation as per the medical staff's plan. This is also why he had to leave the team early, despite having just received his first opportunity from coach Kim Sang Sik.

If the recovery goes as planned, Dang Khoa can only return by the end of September. Meanwhile, the U23/Olympic Vietnam team is expected to gather starting in July to prepare for the ASIAD 20, which kicks off on September 19 in Japan. This makes the overseas Vietnamese midfielder's chances of participating extremely slim, as he will hardly have enough time to regain his fitness and form before the coaching staff finalizes the roster.

Not only the ASIAD, theinjury could also cause Ngo Dang Khoa to miss the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. This was seen as an opportunity for the 2006-born young talent to continue impressing the coaching staff after his first call-up to the Vietnam national team. The long-term layoff has interrupted the journey of this Vietnamese-origin player to prove himself at a crucial moment.

The medical team also warned that if Dang Khoa rushes back to the pitch before his meniscus fully recovers, he risks developing a Grade 3 tear and requiring surgery. Vietnamese football has seen a similar case with Doan Van Hau, who suffered a comparable injury and had to sit out for an extended period. That lesson makes cautious treatment the top priority for this young player.

Despite facing a major challenge, Ngo Dang Khoa still has many opportunities ahead. After a breakout season with Cong An TP.HCM, winning the National Cup, he has demonstrated his potential to become a notable figure in Vietnamese football. If he recovers on schedule, the overseas Vietnamese midfielder can soon return and continue competing for a spot on the national teams in future campaigns.