Overseas Vietnamese midfielder from Do Luong: Happy to return to his homeland to play for the U23 Vietnam team

The most notable face on the U23 Vietnam roster is Vietnamese-American midfielder (originally from Do Luong) Andrej Nguyen An Khanh. This player has received special attention from coach Philippe Troussier.

Sharing his feelings with Nghe An Newspaper when he was called back to Vietnam to try his hand in the National Team's jerseyU23 Vietnam, Andrej Nguyen An Khanh said: ''I am very happy and proud to wear the U23 Vietnam team shirt. This is also my parents' wish, although far from home, my family always looks towards our homeland''.

Midfielder (originally from Do Luong, Nghe An) Andrej Nguyen An Khanh. Photo: NVCC

Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hy (father of midfielder Andrej Nguyen An Khanh), confided: ''Coach Philippe Troussierwanted Andrej Nguyen An Khanh before SEA Games 32, however, due to the registration deadline, we had to call up the Vietnamese player on another occasion.

After the 32nd SEA Games ended, coach Philippe Troussier's assistant contacted An Khanh's family about joining the Vietnam U23 team to participate in the Panda Cup in June. The tournament was later postponed, but Vietnam U23 still gathered and had some friendly matches. The plan to call up Andrej Nguyen An Khanh was carried out by coach Philippe Troussier.

Midfielder Nguyen An Khanh's family. Photo: NVCC

When receiving the news that their son was called up to the U23 Vietnam team, An Khanh's family was very happy. An Khanh's father, Nguyen Duc Hy, added: ''I encouraged him to try his best. An Khanh has the advantage of knowing English, so communicating with the head coach is also very easy, he can quickly understand the issues that Mr. Philippe Troussier wants to convey, so I encouraged him to be bold''.

Mr. Hy also shared: ''An Khanh was a bit hesitant because this June, Khanh was also called up to the Czech Republic U18 team to play a friendly match with Slovakia. But with the love for the Fatherland above all else, the family encouraged him to return home to try his best and find opportunities to prove himself''.

It is known that An Khanh has just returned to Vietnam after 10 years. However, he speaks Vietnamese very well so he will not have any difficulty joining the Vietnam U23 team. Khanh will return home first, then his family will come later to help him prepare best for the training session with the Vietnam U23 team.

Up to this point of the season, An Khanh has scored 7 goals and provided 20 assists for his teammates. Photo: NVCC

Andrej Nguyen An Khanh was born in 2005 in Trinec (Czech Republic), in a family with a father from Do Luong (Nghe An) and a mother from Hanoi. An Khanh currently has both Vietnamese and Czech Republic citizenship. He is valued at 50,000 Euros by Transfermarkt.

The 18-year-old player's preferred playing position is central midfielder, with an attacking flair, and can also play well as a striker or left winger.

With his versatile playing style, An Khanh is a regular starter for U19 Sigma Olomouc and has been a regular in the club’s B team playing in the Czech Republic First Division. Up to this point in the season, An Khanh has scored 7 goals and provided 20 assists for his teammates./.