A boost for Southeast Asian student football.

The 2025 International Youth Tournament - THACO Cup provides teams with opportunities to hone their skills, engage in cultural exchange, and serve as a bridge to bring Southeast Asian football closer together.

" THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING A MEANINGFUL PLAYGROUND "

The 2025 International Student Football Tournament - THACO Cup, organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper, has reached its final stages. Throughout the 9 days of competition and 10 matches, there were top-notch performances from the strongest student football teams representing various countries. The fighting spirit for their school and homeland motivated the players to give more than 100% effort, creating exciting matches.

The University of Laos team thanked their fans after securing a place in the final.

Photo: INDEPENDENT

Despite a packed schedule with 9 matches in one month (including both the Vietnamese and international student tournaments), the players from Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism bravely defeated their strong opponent, University of Life (Cambodia), to reach the second final of this year's tournament. Similarly, the University of Laos team, despite a slow start and a loss to University of Life, bounced back to victory to reach the final. And there were also many exciting and unpredictable chases that added to the beauty of student football.

That is the guiding principle of the 2025 International Student Tournament: to create a platform for players to prove themselves and strive tirelessly, as well as to build a bridge for students from Southeast Asian countries to come closer together, learn from each other, and create a harmonious and cohesive environment.

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the tournament organizers, Thanh Nien Newspaper, and everyone who made this meaningful event possible for Nanyang Technological University in particular and other student teams in general. For student players, showcasing their skills on such a large stage is an honor and a crucial stepping stone for their growth. We came here to compete together. On the field, we are rivals. Off the field, we are all friends," shared Muhammad Syafiq Bin Juffri, team leader of Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).

The team leader from Singapore expressed great affection for the tournament.

The only female team leader at the tournament.

Ms. Phouvanh Simanovong, Head of the Lao University delegation, shared her thoughts: "We have learned many meaningful things at this year's tournament. Lao players have had the opportunity to compete with student teams from other countries to gain experience and learn about solidarity. Winning or losing is not important; we will always strive both mentally and physically to deliver the best performance."

As for Life University, the tournament "provided a platform to connect teams. Hopefully, we will strengthen our solidarity. We hope the tournament will be held for many more years."

LET'S MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER

At the gala held on March 27th, the six teams participating in the 2025 International Student Football Tournament - THACO Cup sang and danced together enthusiastically to music featuring melodies from various brotherly nations such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Despite language and cultural differences, the spirit of solidarity among the nations, the enthusiasm of the students, and their love of football brought them all together in a spirit of brotherly friendship.

Mr. Doan Minh Xuong, Head of the School Football Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Football Federation, emphasized: "The International Student Football Tournament not only provides a boost to the school football movement, but also creates a beneficial exchange platform, helping fans understand where Vietnamese student football stands compared to other Southeast Asian countries." Coach Kim Sang-sik of the Vietnamese team affirmed that he eagerly awaits Thanh Nien Newspaper inviting representatives from South Korea to Vietnam to compete in the International Student Football Tournament so that both sides can hone their skills and demonstrate their abilities.

Referee Tran Ngoc Nho, one of the judges at the tournament, affirmed: "The tournament has opened up opportunities for exchange, learning, and cultural exchange among students from different countries, connecting friendships and camaraderie in Southeast Asia. Hopefully, the tournament will be expanded to other Asian countries, taking advantage of the opportunity to promote the image of Vietnamese students to international friends."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cu-hich-cho-bong-da-sinh-vien-dong-nam-a-185250330000310707.htm