Ton Duc Thang University determined to 'block the way' of the Cambodian team in the opening match

Ton Duc Thang University team wants to change their fate

The 2025 International Youth Student Football Tournament - THACO Cup will kick off tomorrow (March 22), with the participation of 6 teams. In Group A, the host Ton Duc Thang University shares the same group as Lao University and Life University (from Cambodia). In Group B, Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism (champion of the 3rd Vietnam Youth Student Football Tournament - 2025 THACO Cup) competes with Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and Malaysia University.

The tournament will kick off at 4pm tomorrow, with the opening match between Ton Duc Thang University and Life University of Cambodia.

Ton Duc Thang University team (red shirt) looking for a new start

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Every year, the opening match, the host Ton Duc Thang University is used to the exciting atmosphere, but also full of pressure. However, except for the opening match of the first Vietnam Youth Student Football Tournament - 2023 (winning 4-0 against Tay Nguyen University), in the last 2 seasons, the host Ton Duc Thang University only drew and lost on the opening day.

Specifically, in 2024, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Long and his team lost 1-2 to Da Nang University of Physical Education and Sports. In the recently concluded season, the team drew 0-0 with Tra Vinh University.

"In recent years, the Ton Duc Thang University team did not play well in their opening matches, mostly drawing and losing. The pressure in such matches is huge, while the student players are still very young and it is not easy to overcome," said coach Nguyen Dinh Long.

"I will encourage the whole team to play better, be more determined, and take advantage of the home field advantage to get a favorable result in the opening match against Life University of Cambodia. Hopefully the result will be from a draw to a win."

Hope to reach the final

Speaking about the two opponents in the same group, Coach Nguyen Dinh Long commented: "Both Life University (from Cambodia) and Lao University are strong. They have a good preparation process and a very good squad. I understand that the foreign players all have good qualities. However, Ton Duc Thang University will try to contribute in each match, with the hope of reaching the final match of this year's tournament."

Ton Duc Thang University was very close to victory against Da Nang University of Physical Education and Sports in the quarter-finals of the 3rd Vietnam Youth Student Football Tournament - 2025 THACO Cup.

Coach Nguyen Dinh Long's team led 3-2 until the 78th minute, and then in the penalty shootout, the home team was only one successful penalty kick away from the semi-finals. However, football has no "if". Two crucial mistakes in the same match caused the home team to stop, in what coach Nguyen Dinh Long described as "bitter".

"After the final round ended, we returned to practice. We understand that the foreign opponents are very strong, so this playground will be more difficult and challenging. Therefore, right after the domestic tournament ended, the whole team returned to practice to improve their physical strength and playing style. The player structure of Ton Duc Thang University team is still the same. The whole team will play the tournament fully and successfully, with the slogan of playing hard, studying hard", Mr. Nguyen Dinh Long affirmed.