Runner-up SAWACO suffers shocking defeat on opening day.

SAWACO, the reigning runner-up in the Southern region, unexpectedly lost their opening match at the 2026 Vietnam Workers and Employees Football Tournament.

SAWACO (in red) unexpectedly lost in their first match - Photo: QUANG THỊNH

On the afternoon of June 7th, the SAWACO team suffered a 0-2 defeat against the Southern Ho Chi Minh City Oil and Gas Construction Workers' Union in the first match of Group E of the Southern regional qualifiers for the 2026 Vietnam Workers and Employees Football Tournament.

Despite not having the same abundance of players as last year, few expected the reigning runner-up in the Southern qualifiers and the third-place team in the national finals to stumble in their opening match.

Despite fielding a lineup of star players like Van Tuan, Hoang Nam (Nam Nhoc), and Van Cap from the start, SAWACO still couldn't overwhelm their opponent.

Struggling to find the back of the net, SAWACO unexpectedly conceded a goal to the oil and gas industry representative in the 16th minute. Vo Van Chau Phi opened the scoring for the Southern Ho Chi Minh City Oil and Gas Construction Union, much to the surprise of SAWACO fans.

The Southern Ho Chi Minh City Oil and Gas Construction Workers' Union (right) creates a sensation in front of runner-up SAWACO - Photo: QUANG THỊNH

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Having conceded an unexpected goal, SAWACO pushed forward and made a series of substitutions in an attempt to find an equalizer. Head coach Bá Đạt successively brought on Nguyễn Phúc, Nghĩa Nhân, Văn Đạt, and Quốc Nam to refresh their playing style.

However, before these adjustments could take effect, SAWACO's net was shaken for the second time. In the 39th minute, taking advantage of the opportunity, Nguyen Van Hai finished accurately to increase the score to 2-0 for the oil and gas industry team.

Despite having 20 minutes remaining, Hoang Nam and his teammates were unable to score a single goal against their opponents. Ultimately, SAWACO suffered a 0-2 defeat against the Southern Ho Chi Minh City Oil and Gas Construction Union.

This defeat puts defending runner-up SAWACO at risk of being eliminated in the group stage. This is because only the group winners and the two best-performing second-placed teams advance from the regional qualifiers.

In 2026, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and Tuoi Tre newspaper, in coordination with the Vietnam Football Federation, will continue to organize the Vietnam Workers and Public Employees Football Tournament.

Entering its 4th season, the tournament brings together 48 teams from all over the country, continuing to affirm its position as a prestigious annual competition for workers, civil servants, and laborers nationwide.

This contributes to promoting the physical training and sports movement, and improving the cultural and spiritual life of workers in particular and society as a whole.

The total prize money for the tournament amounts to 900 million VND, with the national champion receiving 200 million VND.

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Notably, this is the fourth consecutive season that the Vietnam Workers and Employees Football Tournament has had the honor of receiving the support of its diamond sponsor - Truong Hai Group ( THACO ).

THACO's commitment, along with its partners such as Revive Sports Water, Dong Luc Sports Group, Vietnam Cable Television Corporation (VTVcab), FPT Television Company Limited (FPT Play), and many other businesses, has contributed to strongly spreading the humanitarian values, solidarity spirit, and community significance of the tournament.

The Southern regional qualifiers will take place from June 7th to 10th, 2026. The season will conclude with the national finals, tentatively scheduled to be held in Ho Chi Minh City from July 16th to 19th, 2026.

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THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/a-quan-sawaco-thua-soc-ngay-mo-man-20260607164348055.htm