A nail-biting race in the northern region.

The competition for the three tickets to the 4th Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament - 2026 THACO Cup (TNSV THACO Cup) in Group A - Northern region promises to be exciting until the very last minute.

The title contender is back.

The previous season's Vietnam National University of Water Resources qualifying round was a nightmare for the Water Resources University team. Despite having home advantage and participating as the defending runner-up, Nguyen Hoang Danh and his teammates unexpectedly fell to Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism in a penalty shootout in the play-off series. The Water Resources University team drew 0-0 in 80 minutes of regular time, then failed to beat the excellent goalkeeper Thatsaphone Xaiyasone in the penalty shootout.

The class of the Water Resources University has been affirmed in the Vietnamese student football tournament, with two runner-up finishes. To date, coach Vu Van Trung's team remains the only team to have reached the final twice. However, the setback in last season's qualifying round on home ground serves as a strong warning to the team with the best track record in Vietnamese student football. It shows that if they don't stand firm and resilient at crucial moments, defeat can strike at any time.

Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism eliminated Thuy Loi University in the qualifying round last season.

PHOTO: TUAN MINH

In Group A of this year's qualifiers, the Water Resources University continues to have the home advantage. This is a pitch that Coach Trung and his team are familiar with, having trained year-round. The passion of the home fans also promises to ignite the Water Resources University, creating immense pressure on their opponents.

In Group A, the Water Resources University is in the same group as Hanoi University of Industry, Phenikaa University, and Dai Nam University. Hanoi University of Industry is the most formidable opponent. Last season, this team was undefeated in the qualifying round to advance to the play-offs. Here, Hanoi University of Industry played a tight and scientific counter-attacking game, with quick and skillful transitions, almost successfully defeating Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports. Dai Nam University has accumulated experience from three seasons of the Vietnam National University Student Sports Tournament, while Phenikaa University, though new, is very well organized according to a professional private model, with a well-planned training schedule to build physical fitness and tactical skills from an early age, ready to spring a surprise.

Coach Vu Van Trung and his players had a warm-up with the student football tournament last month, so they already have a good sense of competition and are in good physical condition. Coach Vu Van Trung has given his players time to rest and recover before returning to training. The advantage for the Water Resources University is that they have retained their core players, and their attacking and ball-control style of play is well-established. Coach Vu Van Trung is mainly focusing on improving his players' finishing skills to avoid wasting opportunities. In Group A of this year's qualifying round, the top three teams will advance. The Water Resources University will not need a penalty shootout, but in return, Duc Hoan and the other strikers need to make the most of every opportunity to win each match. They need to focus from the opening match to regain their rightful position in student football. "We are seriously preparing and determined to return to the finals," said Coach Trung.

The rookie enigma

This year's northern qualifying round features two interesting dark horses:FPT Polytechnic College and the Banking Academy (both in Group B, sharing the same group as Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports and Dong A University of Technology). Although not yet prominent names in 11-a-side student football, both schools have developed 5-a-side and 7-a-side football, thus laying the groundwork for a generation of players with comprehensive skills, agility, and dexterity.

The football movement has helped the Banking Academy and FPT Polytechnic College to have well-organized football teams, from training and game development to medical care and media relations. These "new breezes" are ready to challenge the old power structure in the northern region's student football scene.

In addition, the qualifying round also includes ambitious teams determined to return to the finals, such as the National Economics University and the Vietnam Maritime University, which have been training since early on. The National Economics University team, in particular, has an annual internal tournament system to scout talent and help players maintain their competitive edge. These two teams, along with Phuong Dong University, will challenge the defending champions, Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in Group C, promising fierce competition for a spot in the finals.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dua-tranh-nghet-tho-khu-vuc-phia-bac-185251230213729297.htm