The first quarter-final spot has been claimed.

The second round of Group B in the finals of the 4th Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament - 2026 THACO Cup (TNSV THACO Cup 2026) took place yesterday, March 11th, at Nha Trang University Stadium, with unexpected and exciting developments.

Báo Thanh niên•11/03/2026

The disastrous red card

After their 0-3 defeat against the Water Resources University team in their opening match, the Dong Thap University players were highly determined for their game against the Dong Nai University of Technology team. Despite facing a supposedly superior opponent, the team from Dong Nai entered the game confidently, creating a dominant attacking game. Within the first 5 minutes of the first half, Coach Joao Pedro's players missed two scoring opportunities. Following that, Huynh Ngoc Luan, Nguyen Hoang Phuc, and Le Tan Hao had a series of chances but were unable to beat the excellent goalkeeper Ly Toan Tam of the Dong Nai University of Technology team.

A moment of losing control led to Huynh Ngoc Luan fouling an opponent, receiving a second yellow card and being sent off in the 27th minute, putting Dong Thap University in a very difficult situation. From then on, the game shifted as the Dong Nai University of Technology team took control of the match. Playing dominantly, Dong Nai University of Technology scored the opening goal in the 54th minute through Nguyen Gia Huy. Receiving a pass from teammate Vu Minh Khai on the right wing, Gia Huy successfully finished from an open position. That was also the only goal that secured the victory for Dong Nai University of Technology. Despite their best efforts, playing with one less player after Huynh Ngoc Luan's unfortunate red card, the Dong Thap University players were powerless to stop the game.

Suất tứ kết đầu tiên đã có chủ- Ảnh 1. — The Dong Nai University of Technology team secured their place in the quarterfinals early.

Having earned no points after two matches, Dong Thap University is waiting for its chance to compete for a quarter-final spot in the final match against Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. Meanwhile, with a perfect record after two matches, Dong Nai University of Technology has already secured a place in the quarter-finals. After the match, Dong Nai University of Technology coach Le Huu Phat said that striker Huynh Ngoc Luan's red card was the turning point of the game. "Before that, this team played a long ball game that was annoying and caused many difficulties for Dong Nai University of Technology. In particular, striker Huynh Ngoc Luan is a player with good heading ability, a crucial player in Dong Thap University's long-ball style of play," Coach Phat said.

Effort pays off.

In the other match of Group B, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education team bravely held the championship contender, the University of Water Resources, to a draw. Their determined fighting spirit and tenacious play helped the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education team keep a clean sheet against the University of Water Resources in the first half. The University of Water Resources players showcased a controlled style of play. Coach Vu Van Trung's players maintained a slow pace, combining a few unexpected bursts of speed with some quick attacks. Hoang Danh, Bao Trung, Xuan Truong, and especially Duc Hoan had many opportunities from their unconventional plays, but failed to convert them into goals.

Changes in the second half, particularly a faster pace of attack, were implemented by the Water Resources University team. This was also the half where almost the entire Ho Chi Minh City University of Education team retreated to their own half to defend. Their defensive tactics, combined with the talent of goalkeeper Pham Gia Bao, helped the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education team repel many dangerous attacks from the Water Resources University team, resulting in an excellent draw. Their tenacious fighting spirit earned the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education team their first point in the finals, thus keeping their hopes alive for a quarter-final spot. Meanwhile, with 4 points in hand, the Water Resources University team also has a place in the quarter-finals within their grasp.