Cong Phuong "ignites" school football at the launch ceremony of UEH League 2025

Cong Phuong shares about developing Vietnamese student football

At noon on April 16, at the hall of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (UEH), the atmosphere exploded when striker Nguyen Cong Phuong and the stars of Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc appeared at the launching ceremony of the UEH League 2025 Student Football Tournament.

After the resounding success of the first season in 2024, UEH continues to organize UEH League 2025 with an expanded scale and more professional organization, promising to bring an attractive sports playground to the student community.

Công Phượng — Exchange session of 5 Binh Phuoc stars and UEH students

At the ceremony, hundreds of UEH students were present early to attend and witness the stars and the tournament's group draw. However, the real "focus" of the event was the presence of 5 players currently playing for Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc Club (National First Division), including: Cong Phuong, Bui Tan Truong, Huynh Tan Sinh, Ho Tuan Tai and Le Thanh Binh.

Among them, Cong Phuong, former HAGL striker and one of the icons of Vietnamese football at one time, attracted special attention from UEH students. During the exchange, he received enthusiastic cheers and a series of questions from students. Many "hardcore fans" could not hide their excitement when they saw and talked with their idol.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cong Phuong gave advice to Vietnamese students on their path to pursuing their passion for amateur or professional football.

Cong Phuong shared: "In my opinion, a school must have a football team and build the team in a professional direction. Of course, there must be many sponsors to build it.

Therefore, schools and sponsors working together to build a football foundation not only for students but also towards the development of Vietnamese football is a very good path. In this UEH League tournament, I hope that many schools will follow this model."

According to Phuong, "In Japan, each school usually has a football team built according to a professional model, practicing daily and competing year-round in the Student League. Thanks to investment from major sponsors, young players have a very good development environment. What impresses me most is their competitive spirit: they always enter the field with extremely high will and determination, even in friendly matches with professional teams."

The UEH League 2025 will officially kick off on April 20, bringing together 10 teams from faculties, institutes and dormitories under the university. A total of 49 matches will take place from April to November 2025 at the UEH Sports Complex Stadium - Nguyen Van Linh (Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City). Phase 1 will take place from April 19 to May 18 and phase 2 of the tournament will continue from August 10 to November 23.

This year, the competition has expanded to include: full-time male university students, transfer students, international joint program students and exchange students studying at UEH. In particular, UEH alumni and students from other universities and colleges also have the opportunity to compete, creating a diverse and colorful tournament.

The tournament is a round-robin format. The top four teams from the group stage will advance to the semi-finals. The pairings are determined by ranking: first vs. fourth, second vs. third. The two winners will advance to the final, while the remaining two teams will compete for third place. The two teams with the lowest results from the group stage will compete in a play-off against new teams to qualify for the following season.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/cong-phuong-truyen-lua-cho-bong-da-hoc-duong-o-le-ra-mat-giai-ueh-league-2025-196250416152637406.htm