Dong Thap University 'plays big' with foreign coach, spends more than half a billion dong on student prize

The foreign coach and the experience of two assistant players of Dong Thap national team will create momentum for the team representing the Southwest region.

Among the southern football teams that won the qualifying round of the 2025 National Student Championship to go to Hanoi to participate in the Finals, the Dong Thap University football team is the most notable phenomenon. Not only did it create impressive results when it overcame teams in the same region with convincing wins, but Dong Thap University also "played big" with a strong investment for the football team to fly to the capital. The school's Board of Directors decided to spend more than half a billion VND to fully equip the team with performance jackets, cold-proof jackets, medical equipment, medicine, suitable accommodation arrangements, pocket money and for the entire team of 30 members to fly from Can Tho on November 15.

Associate Professor Dr. Ho Van Thong, Principal of Dong Thap University, emphasized: "As one of the two representatives of the Southwest region present at the final round, we determined that this is an opportunity for education and physical training, improving the team's ability and the school's brand in the best way. Therefore, the Board of Directors has focused on investing and creating conditions in all aspects so that the whole team can confidently set off, contributing beautiful football moves with the spirit of fairplay, both serving the student audience well and contributing to bringing the most positive image to the tournament. We do not set the goal too high, but will strive for each match and will make efforts to surprise the opponents."

Trường ĐH Đồng Tháp 'chơi lớn' có HLV ngoại, chi hơn nửa tỉ đồng giải sinh viên - Ảnh 2. — Principal Ho Van Thong (right) presented encouragement awards to the coaching staff and captain of Dong Thap University football team.

To be able to shock at the finals, the strongest point of the Dong Thap University team is that it is the only team with a foreign coach. That is Mr. Joao Pedro, a Portuguese, one of the coaches with personality, who appeared about a year ago and quietly brought strong changes to the team. Since he first arrived in Dong Thap, he did not know much about school football and immediately encountered 3 goalless draws in the qualifying round of the Vietnam Youth Student Tournament in early 2025.

Trường ĐH Đồng Tháp 'chơi lớn' có HLV ngoại, chi hơn nửa tỉ đồng giải sinh viên - Ảnh 3. — Coach Joao Pedro expressed his determination in the finals.

But in just a short time, with the effort to learn and determination to apply knowledge from an advanced football background to the school, plus the hard work to study for a professional coach A certificate organized by VFF, Mr. Joao Pedro has helped the football team "transform". 2 tournaments including the Dong Thap University Cup in July and the Southern region qualifying round at the end of October showed that the Dong Thap University football team has improved day by day, completely different from what it showed more than 9 months ago.

Trường ĐH Đồng Tháp 'chơi lớn' có HLV ngoại, chi hơn nửa tỉ đồng giải sinh viên - Ảnh 4. — Dong Thap University team players determined to cause shock in the final round

Trường ĐH Đồng Tháp 'chơi lớn' có HLV ngoại, chi hơn nửa tỉ đồng giải sinh viên - Ảnh 5. — Confident and eager, Dong Thap University team determined to conquer the final round

Not stopping there, with the support of the Dong Thap Province Football Federation, the Dong Thap University football team has 2 assistant coaches who are former famous Dong Thap players. They are Nguyen Van Moc and Nguyen Van Hau. Van Moc, born in 1987, played at the same time as Phan Thanh Binh, Bui Tan Truong, Nguyen Quy Suu, Nguyen Van Ngan, and recently led the Dong Thap student team to win the Phu Dong Sports Festival in Hai Phong. Van Hau is a left-back who was called by coach Toshiya Miura to the Vietnam U.23 team in 2014 but was unable to compete in the SEA Games due to injury.

Trường ĐH Đồng Tháp 'chơi lớn' có HLV ngoại, chi hơn nửa tỉ đồng giải sinh viên - Ảnh 6. — Vice President of Dong Thap Football Federation Nguyen Van De encouraged the team before departure.

The appearance of this assistant duo has brought a lot of valuable experience, supported a lot in directing tactics... promptly supporting coach Joao Pedro to make necessary adjustments before and during the match.

Mr. Vuong Thanh Trung, General Secretary of Dong Thap Football Federation commented: "A student football team but with professional investment from famous former players, will certainly strongly promote the team's growth. Both Van Moc and Van Hau are dedicated teachers who grew up from good players, so they will convey well to the students."

Trường ĐH Đồng Tháp 'chơi lớn' có HLV ngoại, chi hơn nửa tỉ đồng giải sinh viên - Ảnh 7. — Two former Dong Thap players Van Hau (4) and Van Moc (11, front row, 2nd from left) are the assistant coaches of Dong Thap University team.

With serious preparation, in-depth investment and a desire to affirm its new stature, Dong Thap University football team promises to stand side by side with traditional teams in the south such as Nong Lam University, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports... determined to create a new look in the final round.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/truong-dh-dong-thap-choi-lon-co-hlv-ngoai-chi-hon-nua-ti-dong-giai-sinh-vien-185251115103311283.htm