Fiery semi-final matches

Today, March 20th, two highly anticipated semi-final matches of the 4th Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament - 2026, THACO Cup (TNSV THACO Cup 2026), will take place at Nha Trang University Stadium. These matches will be broadcast live on FPT Play and the YouTube and Facebook platforms of Thanh Nien Newspaper.

OPPORTUNITY IS DISTRIBUTED EQUALLY

The first semi-final match, taking place at 1:30 PM, is a clash between the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology team and the University of Water Resources team. The team from Hanoi is considered the favorite, but the representative from Ho Chi Minh City is also ready to spring a surprise.

The Water Resources University team (right) is in excellent form.

PHOTO: INDEPENDENT

Coach Vu Van Trung said that the Water Resources University team highly appreciates the values ​​that the THACO Student Tournament brings, above all, creating a top-level playing field for students nationwide. Therefore, last year's Water Resources University team was "very hurt" to be eliminated in the qualifying round and not participate in the finals. "Missing one season did not discourage the Water Resources University team; on the contrary, we learned a lot from it, and thus prepared more thoroughly in terms of personnel and expertise with the determination to return this season. There is nothing better than for us to overcome the opponent that eliminated us in the northern regional qualifying round last year, the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team, which is also the defending champion, to be in the semi-finals of this year's tournament," Coach Vu Van Trung shared.

The strength of the Water Resources University team comes from their control-oriented and cunning playing style. In particular, the coaching staff of the Water Resources University team possesses the ability to accurately analyze and assess their opponents, thereby devising appropriate tactics. This was clearly demonstrated in their quarter-final victory against the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team, where they neutralized their "ace" Ngan Nhu Dung, intercepting their ball-handling plays from afar and leaving their opponents frustrated. In attack, Nguyen Hoang Danh and Tran Duc Hoan play with sharp reflexes and excellent teamwork. Certainly, the players of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology team will have a very difficult time stopping the powerful attack of the Water Resources University team. Coach Vu Van Trung cautiously stated: "We cannot underestimate the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology team because they have a difficult defensive style. In my opinion, the chances are evenly distributed, and we will prepare as best as we can to achieve our ultimate goal of winning."

After narrowly making it to the quarterfinals, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology team caused a shock by defeating the FPT Polytechnic College team in the quarterfinals thanks to their tenacious defense and the talent of goalkeeper Phan Ngoc Bao (who started the match) and goalkeeper Ho Anh Minh (who shone when brought in to take penalties). Coach Phan Anh Minh hopes his players will continue to showcase their abilities and fighting spirit as in the quarterfinals to overcome the Water Resources University team.

A fair and balanced competition

At 3:45 PM, the second semi-final match, considered quite evenly matched, took place between the Dong Nai University of Technology team and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team.

The strength of the Dong Nai University of Technology team was clearly demonstrated in their recent matches. In the group stage, they defeated Ho Chi Minh City University of Education 2-0, Dong Thap University 1-0, and drew 0-0 with the University of Water Resources. In the quarterfinals, coach Le Huu Phat's team convincingly overcame the host team, Nha Trang University, 2-0. Team captain and striker Nguyen Phu Hong Phuc, with his skillful and intelligent play and sharp finishing ability, promises to continue shining.

Coach Le Huu Phat said that the opposing team had grasped the players and playing style of the Dong Nai University of Technology team, so the whole team had prepared thoroughly for the semi-final match. With players who could change the course of the game and a well-balanced, cohesive team, the Dong Nai University of Technology team was considered slightly superior to the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team. The team from Dong Nai had not conceded a goal since the beginning of the tournament and also impressed with their fair-play spirit, having not received any yellow or red cards.

Meanwhile, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team stood out for their ability to build a collective playing style and organize a solid defense. Thanks to this, in the group stage they drew with the strong FPT Polytechnic College team, and in the quarterfinals, coach Tran Van Dung's team overcame the reigning runner-up, the Da Nang University of Sports and Physical Education team. Coach Tran Van Dung stated that some key players, such as captain Thach Tuan Tuong, suffered injuries and overwork after the quarterfinal match, and are working hard to recover in order to give the audience a great semi-final match.

Last season, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team impressively reached the semi-finals, and this time they aim to reach the finals of the TNSV THACO Cup 2026 for the first time. This is also the goal of the Dong Nai University of Technology team after their best achievement of finishing in third place in 2024.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nay-lua-2-cap-dau-ban-ket-185260319225309153.htm