Farewell to the reigning champion.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry deserves to advance.

The Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team deservedly earned a spot in the finals of the 2025 THACO Student Tournament after dominating the defending champions, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports, throughout the regular time. Coach Ta Hong Ha's players created numerous scoring opportunities, but Phuc Tai, Quang Duc, and Cong Bao unfortunately missed them. Fans of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports breathed a sigh of relief when referee Tran Van Trong blew the final whistle after 80 minutes of regulation time. However, in the tense penalty shootout, the defending champions failed to capitalize, losing 3-4 to the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team. Thus, after the runner-up, the University of Water Resources, was eliminated, the defending champions also had to leave the tournament in the qualifying round, demonstrating the intense and uncompromising competition of the 2025 THACO Student Tournament.

Sharing his thoughts after defeating the defending champions and securing his first-ever qualification for the 2025 THACO Student Sports Cup Finals, Coach Ta Hong Ha said: “What makes me happiest about my players in this decisive match is that they maintained excellent physical condition and high spirits. We prepared thoroughly and understood the strength of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports team, having faced them before. The fact that we couldn't overcome our opponent in regular time made me quite worried, fearing that my players might be psychologically affected during the penalty shootout, but they performed very well. I would like to express my gratitude for the dedication and effort of my players. Now the whole team can relax and enjoy the Lunar New Year. After the holiday, we will begin preparing for the 2025 THACO Student Sports Cup Finals.”

Defending champions Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports (right) lost their spot in the finals.

With the defending champions, Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports, currently undergoing a transition and rejuvenating their squad, and lacking a top-class goalscorer like Nguyen Minh Nhat from last season, they have accepted defeat. This is a necessary pause for this historically rich team to return stronger and more formidable in the next season.

Collapsed after a series of "shootouts"

The final playoff match of the Ho Chi Minh City regional qualifiers between Van Hien University and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education had to go to a penalty shootout to determine which team would qualify for the finals. This was the third of four playoff matches in the Ho Chi Minh City region to go to a penalty shootout, demonstrating the fierce and evenly matched competition between the teams.

In this match, coach Tran Manh Hung of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology Education surprisingly left striker Trieu Hong Chinh on the bench. When brought on, he shone with a beautiful free-kick goal in the 62nd minute, breaking the deadlock. However, in the 72nd minute, Truong Dai Vu scored with a close-range finish to equalize the score at 1-1 for Van Hien University. In the penalty shootout, both teams successfully converted their first four penalties, but then captain Le Quang Hoang of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology Education missed his final penalty, allowing Van Hien University to capitalize and win 5-4, securing the last remaining spot from the Ho Chi Minh City region in the finals. Heartbroken after the penalty shootout, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology Education players collapsed on the field.

Meanwhile, in the semi-finals of the Southwest region qualifiers held yesterday, January 15th, Tra Vinh University team won 1-0 against Cuu Long University team, and Nam Can Tho University team defeated Vinh Long University of Technology and Education team with a score of 5-1. With these results, Tra Vinh University and Nam Can Tho University will face each other in the final on January 17th to determine the winning team that will represent the Southwest region at the finals in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today, January 16th, two semi-final matches of the South Central - Central Highlands regional qualifiers took place at Nha Trang University's stadium: Nha Trang University (first in Group 1) vs. Nha Trang College of Tourism (second in Group 2), and Quy Nhon University (first in Group 2) vs. Da Lat University (second in Group 1).