Young HAGL player scores against North Korea's U23 team, matching stats of Quang Hai and Tien Linh

Nguyen Minh Tam scored for Vietnam's U23 team in the CFA Team China 2026 friendly, but for HAGL fans, this player scoring is perhaps not too surprising.

Nguyen Minh Tam, a 2005-born forward from Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), is attracting attention from Vietnamese football fans. In his debut for Vietnam's U23 team at the CFA Team China 2026 friendly, Minh Tam took only 6 minutes to open the scoring against North Korea's U23, contributing significantly to the team's 1-1 draw. Capitalizing on an opponent's misplaced pass, Minh Tam immediately shot diagonally from close range to secure the opening goal. This goal demonstrated some of the qualities expected of a forward in Minh Tam.

Minh Tam possesses a height of 1.81m, along with speed and intelligent positioning, reminding many of former Vietnamese national team forward Le Cong Vinh.

Minh Tam also has strong acceleration, smart movement, and accurate one-touch finishing, making him a constant threat to all defenses. Experts note he has flexible tactical thinking, knows how to exploit space, and creates opportunities for teammates and himself.

It can be said that Coach Dinh Hong Vinh's decision to include Minh Tam in Vietnam's U23 squad for the CFA Team China 2026 friendly was correct.

Minh Tam's journey began at HAGL's training academy, with loan periods at Kon Tum FC and Long An FC to gain match experience. Minh Tam played a key role in helping HAGL win the national U21 championship in 2024. By 2025, Nguyen Minh Tam affirmed his talent with the top scorer title in the national U21 league.

Last season, Minh Tam played 4 matches for HAGL in V-League. This season, Minh Tam has played 13 matches for HAGL and scored 3 goals. That is an impressive record for this 20-year-old player. Minh Tam scored against SLNA Club, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh Club, and Ninh Binh Club. Notably, the two teams whose nets he breached are major V-League clubs with many quality players.

Currently, Minh Tam has the same number of goals in this V-League season as Pham Tuan Hai (Hanoi FC), Nguyen Tien Linh (Ho Chi Minh City Police Club), Quang Hai (CAHN FC), or Khuat Van Khang (The Cong – Viettel). These are all players who have served on the national team, and Minh Tam's inclusion in the V-League scoring list brings new hope to HAGL fans and Vietnamese football in general.

Recently, fans have always hoped Vietnamese football would produce new scoring talents. Dinh Bac shone brightly at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, and now Minh Tam has also stepped into the spotlight with his performances in this V-League season and his latest goal at the CFA Team China 2026.

If Minh Tam continues his explosive play at the CFA Team China 2026, this player will have the chance to be part of Vietnam's U21 squad for the 2026 ASIAD in Japan.

Vietnamese youth football has been rising strongly recently with achievements at the U23 Southeast Asian Championships, SEA Games, and 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, featuring players like Dinh Bac, Thai Son, Le Van Thuan, Cong Phuong... The emergence of Minh Tam gives Vietnam's U23 team more options on the forward line, confidently aiming for future major tournaments.