A nail-biting battle for the two final tickets.

The Laotian goalkeeper played the hero.

The first match of the semi-finals of the TNSV THACO Cup 2025 was an exciting clash between two newcomers. The Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team was participating in the tournament for the first time, while the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team had just earned a spot in the finals this season. Both teams delivered an engaging match, with two distinct halves. In the first 40 minutes, the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team launched an all-out attack, putting significant pressure on their opponent's goal. Conversely, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team once again demonstrated their strength through discipline and tactical prowess.

The rookie team from Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism became a sensation in the finals.

As coach Ta Hong Ha had stated before the semi-final match, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team had prepared very thoroughly, and this was proven throughout the 80 minutes of regulation time. The only representative from the Ho Chi Minh City region in the semi-finals approached the game wisely, proactively conceding possession to the Thanh Hoa team and focusing on defense, using many long balls. In the second half, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team showed a completely different face. Coach Ta Hong Ha's players surged forward to dominate, creating numerous dangerous opportunities and scoring chances. However, what the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry players lacked was sharpness in their final finishing.

The two teams drew 0-0 and had to decide the winner through a penalty shootout. On the penalty spot, Lao goalkeeper Thatsa Xaiyasone played the hero. In the fourth round, Xaiyasone confidently stepped up and successfully converted his shot, then immediately saved a shot from a player from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team. Ultimately, the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team won 5-3 on penalties and secured the first ticket to the final of the TNSV THACO Cup 2025.

Winning the match on penalties for the second time.

The second semi-final match between the Da Nang University of Physical Education and Sports and the Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports was also a closely contested encounter. Notably, the clash between these two teams, considered strong contenders for the championship, unfolded similarly to the first semi-final between the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In the first half, the ball was almost exclusively circulated in the Da Nang University of Physical Education's half. The Central Vietnam team seemed to have no noteworthy attacking moves towards the opponent's penalty area. Conversely, the Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports continuously threatened goalkeeper Phan Viet Cuong's goal. The ball was put into the net once in the first half, but the referee disallowed the goal for the Northern Vietnam team due to a prior foul. In the second half, the situation shifted as the Da Nang University of Physical Education and Sports played more dominantly. However, the attacks from the team from the Han River were still not sharp enough to overcome the Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports' defense. And for the second time in the semi-final match, a penalty shootout decided which team would advance to the final.

The Da Nang University of Sports and Physical Education team once again demonstrated their knack for penalty shootouts (winning against Ton Duc Thang University in the quarter-finals), securing a 7-6 victory and the remaining spot in the final.

Thus, the Da Nang University of Sports and Physical Education team and the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team will compete for the championship in the match taking place on the afternoon of March 16th.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nghet-tho-2-tam-ve-chung-ket-185250314223529475.htm