Many interesting unknowns
Almost having to stop in the group stage, coach Pham Thai Vinh of the defending champion team of Ho Chi Minh City University of Sports and Education was very cautious. “The Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry team is in very good form, as shown by the fact that they and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (National University of Technology) have a winning record in the group stage. We met them 1 year ago. year and even though they won, it will still be very difficult. They will be a huge challenge for us, with their physical play. Of course, we will have plans to prepare for the play-offs on January 15. I trust the teacher UPES will once again strive together to be able to participate in the finals,” coach Pham Thai Vinh shared.
Team of Polytechnic University – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (left)determined to pass the qualifying round to participate in the finals
This year, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics is a phenomenon when they participated for the first time and successfully reached the play-off round, where they will meet Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Head coach Tran Dinh Thanh said: “Once we get here, we will meet everyone in the finals. With the spirit of playing hard, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics is determined to do our best to be able to participate in the finals.”
Having participated in the play-off round in the first season but absent in season II – 2024, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) is considered a new but old face. Head coach Nguyen Quoc Nam shared: “This year the HUTECH team has new faces besides some players who played in the play-offs 2 years ago, so it’s not too surprising. Personally, I think all the teams have made it here.” They have all affirmed their strength. The HUTECH team will have to review the video to have the best approach to the match.”
As one of the two teams with a winning record, University of Science and Technology (National University of Ho Chi Minh City) is determined to appear in the finals for the first time. Master Huynh Van Thinh, Deputy Head of Student Affairs, Head of the football team, expected: “This year our football team is very well prepared, especially with great support from the Polytechnic Alumni team, so we can compete.” Our opponent in the play-off round is Saigon University of Technology. I hope good preparation will help our team pass the qualifying round to participate in the big Vietnamese student football festival. .
Determine 2 pairs of Southwest semi-finals
At the end of yesterday’s competition day, January 13, the Southwest region qualifying round determined 4 teams to win the right to enter the semi-finals: South Can Tho University (first group 1), Cuu Long University (second group 1), Tra Vinh University (first in group 2), Vinh Long University of Technical Education (second in group 2).
According to the rules, the team ranked first in group 1, Nam Can Tho University, will meet the second-ranked team in group 2, Vinh Long University of Technical Education, in semi-final 1. Semi-final 2 is the encounter between the Tra University team. Vinh with the Mekong University team. The 2 winning teams will enter the final to choose the champion team to win tickets to attend the finals in Ho Chi Minh City.
With what was shown in the group stage, the Tra Vinh University team showed that it was the brightest candidate, winning all 3 matches with a wide margin. However, the South Can Tho University team and the Cuu Long University team also showed a solid, tight and effective playing style, promising to create surprises.
Today, January 14, the first two play-off pairs of the Ho Chi Minh City area will take place between the team of Polytechnic University (National University of Ho Chi Minh City) and the team of Saigon University of Technology (15 hours); Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology – Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (5:30 p.m.). Also today, the final match of the group stage of the South Central – Central Highlands region will take place with two pairs of Quy Nhon University vs. Pacific University; Khanh Hoa University meets Nha Trang University.
According to yesterday’s draw results, the 4 play-off pairs in the Ho Chi Minh City area are: Polytechnic University (National University of Ho Chi Minh City) – Saigon University of Technology (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).
