Malaysian University praises Vietnamese student champion, ready to 'break rules' to win

Malaysian University team carefully analyzes Vietnamese representative

In Group B of the International Youth Soccer Tournament - THACO Cup 2025, the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team had its opening match on the evening of March 24. Against Nanyang Technological University, the reigning champion Vietnam Youth Soccer played impressively and won convincingly.

The Malaysian University team, which drew 1-1 with Nanyang Technological University, followed this match very closely. A representative of the Malaysian University team told Thanh Nien Newspaper: "Both teams played very well. However, the Vietnamese team had better tactics, higher morale, and always defended very disciplined. Overall, the Vietnamese team played well and was also very well organized."

Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team had a smooth start at the international youth tournament - THACO Cup 2025

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

The Malaysian University team also paid attention to many individuals on the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team. Among them, the most outstanding player in the eyes of the Malaysian University team analysts was midfielder Doan Trong Tung. Player number 6 of the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team always knew how to control the midfield, opening up many dangerous attacking situations for the home team. It can be said that he is the "soul" in the playing style of the reigning Vietnamese student football champion.

The confrontation between Trong Tung and Zirky Bin Hafis (No. 29) in the midfield will likely decide the outcome of the match between Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Malaysia University. In the match against Nanyang Technological University, Zirky also played extremely well. He is a star of Malaysia University, trained at Wolves Club (England), and met stars such as striker Hwang Hee-chan (Korean team), and center-back Justin Hubner (Indonesia team).

What is the Malaysian University team preparing?

The Malaysian University team not only carefully analyzed the match between Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Nanyang Technological University, but also reviewed the video of their opponents in the 2025 THACO Cup Vietnam Finals. Coach Mohd Yazli Yahya said they will make some tactical adjustments in the upcoming important match.

Players of the Malaysian University team (in yellow shirts) do not need to fast or abstain from eating or drinking on the day of the match with the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

It is likely that the Malaysian team will not press as hard as they did in the 1-1 draw with Nanyang Technological University. In that match, they dominated the Singaporean team in the first half but could not maintain the high intensity of the game for 80 minutes. They were somewhat exhausted due to not having enough food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and unfortunately were equalized.

This is also the reason why the Malaysian University team decided to "break the rules". Mr. Hairi Hashim, head of the Malaysian University team, said: "In the match against Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism (taking place at 3pm on March 26), we allowed the players to eat and drink like normal days to ensure their physical strength".

The goal of the Malaysian University team in the upcoming match is 3 points to not only win a ticket to the semi-finals but also aim to finish the group stage in first place.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dh-malaysia-khen-ngoi-nha-vo-dich-sinh-vien-viet-nam-san-sang-pha-le-de-thang-185250325103735363.htm