Vietnamese student football champion wants to fight against strong Cambodian team

First defeat in 11 games

From a rookie who first appeared, the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team took fans from one surprise to another. Coach Nguyen Cong Thanh's team had a 9-match unbeaten journey to convincingly win the championship of the 3rd Vietnam Youth Student Football Tournament - 2025 THACO Cup (TNSV THACO Cup 2025). Becoming 1 of 2 representatives of Vietnam competing in the 2025 International Youth Student Football Tournament - THACO Cup, the Thanh Hoa team continued to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 matches, when defeating the Nanyang Technological University team (Singapore) in the opening match.

In the final match of Group B, the 2025 International Student Football Tournament - THACO Cup, the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team tasted defeat. The reigning champion of Vietnamese student football lost 0-1 to the excellent Malaysian University team. With this result, the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team finished second in Group B and faced the Life University team in the semi-finals (first in Group A).

Ngan Nhu Dung (right) is still the factor expected to make a difference for the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism team.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Coach Nguyen Cong Thanh said that the defeat against the Malaysian representative will bring the players of the Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism “back to earth”. From there, the desire to win and the determination of the whole team will increase when entering the knockout match in the semi-finals, when they will face the representative of Cambodian student football.

Strong opponent, but…

Life University is a formidable team in the tournament. This was proven in the group stage, when the Cambodian representative made a spectacular comeback to defeat the host team Ton Duc Thang University with a score of 3-1, before defeating the Lao University team 2-0.

Regarding the opponent in the semi-final match, coach Nguyen Cong Thanh commented: “Life University is a strong opponent. They have a balanced force, with better quality than the average level of student football. In particular, the Cambodian team has a very good physical foundation. Against a strong opponent, Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism will try their best. We will play an open game with Life University.”

Kea Piseth (19) is currently leading the scorer list with 3 goals.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

The standout player on the Life University team is Kea Piseth. This 20-year-old student is leading the tournament’s top scorer list, with 3 goals after 2 matches. Although Kea Piseth is assigned to play as a midfielder, he has a very good ability to score goals. In addition, Kea Piseth also makes a great contribution to the team’s overall play when appearing at most of the “hot spots” on the field.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nha-vo-dich-bong-da-sinh-vien-viet-nam-muon-doi-cong-voi-doi-manh-cua-campuchia-185250327122411884.htm