'Fierce' play-off round in Ho Chi Minh City.

Many intriguing unknowns

Having narrowly avoided elimination in the group stage, coach Pham Thai Vinh of the defending champions, Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports, is being very cautious. “The Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team is in excellent form, as evidenced by their perfect record in the group stage along with the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City). We faced them a year ago and although we won, it was a tough match. They will be a huge challenge for us, with their physically demanding style of play. Of course, we will have strategies in place for the play-off match on January 15th. I believe that the UPES team will once again work together to qualify for the finals,” coach Pham Thai Vinh shared.

The team from the University of Technology – VNU-HCM (left) is determined to qualify for the finals.

This year, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) is a phenomenon, having excelled in their first participation, reaching the play-off round where they will face the University of Technology Ho Chi Minh City. Head coach Tran Dinh Thanh said: “Having made it this far, facing anyone is like facing the final. With the spirit of giving our all, UEH is determined to do everything possible to qualify for the finals.”

Having participated in the play-offs in the first season but absent from the second season in 2024, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) is considered both a new and familiar face. Head coach Nguyen Quoc Nam shared: “This year, the HUTECH team has some new faces alongside a few players who played in the play-offs two years ago, so it's not too surprising. Personally, I think all the teams that have reached this stage have already proven their strength. The HUTECH team will have to review the video footage to come up with the best approach to the match.”

As one of the two teams with a perfect winning record, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (VNU-HCM) is determined to participate in the finals for the first time. Mr. Huynh Van Thinh, Deputy Head of Student Affairs and Head of the team, expressed his expectations: “This year, our team has prepared very thoroughly, especially with great support from the University of Technology Alumni team, so we are performing well. Our opponent in the play-off round is Saigon Technology University. I hope that our good preparation will help our team overcome the qualifying round and participate in the big event of Vietnamese student football.”

Determine the two semi-final pairings for the Southwest region.

At the end of yesterday's competition on January 13th, the Southwest regional qualifiers determined the four teams that qualified for the semi-finals: Nam Can Tho University (first in Group 1), Cuu Long University (second in Group 1), Tra Vinh University (first in Group 2), and Vinh Long University of Technology and Education (second in Group 2).

According to the regulations, the top-ranked team in Group 1, Nam Can Tho University, will face the second-ranked team in Group 2, Vinh Long University of Technology and Education, in the first semi-final. The second semi-final will be a clash between Tra Vinh University and Cuu Long University. The two winning teams will advance to the final to determine the champion, who will then qualify for the final tournament in Ho Chi Minh City.

Based on their performance in the group stage, Tra Vinh University's team has shown itself to be the strongest contender, winning all three matches with a significant margin. However, Nam Can Tho University and Cuu Long University's teams have also demonstrated solid, disciplined, and effective gameplay, promising to spring surprises.

Today, January 14th, the first two playoff matches of the Ho Chi Minh City region will take place: between the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) and Saigon Technology University (3 PM); and between HCMUT and Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (5:30 PM). Also today will be the final round of group stage matches for the South Central - Central Highlands region: Quy Nhon University vs. Pacific University; and Khanh Hoa University vs. Nha Trang University.

According to yesterday's draw results, the four play-off matches in the Ho Chi Minh City area are: Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (VNU-HCM) – Saigon Technology University (play-off 1); Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology – Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (play-off 2); Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry – Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports (play-off 3); Van Hien University – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education (play-off 4).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nay-lua-play-off-vong-loai-khu-vuc-tphcm-18525011323343951.htm