Tra Vinh University reached the final round for the second consecutive time

"Breathtaking" victory

The final round of the Southwestern region qualifying match took place yesterday, January 17, at Can Tho Stadium between Tra Vinh University and Nam Can Tho University. Tra Vinh University was highly appreciated, establishing a good attacking position but also being very cautious when assigning someone to follow "like a shadow" against the most formidable striker of Nam Can Tho University, Tu Chi Minh. Many opportunities were created by the players of Tra Vinh University, but on a day of excellent performance, goalkeeper Pham Dang Khoa had excellent reflexes, saving the home team at least twice.

Trường ĐH Trà Vinh lần thứ hai liên tiếp đến VCK- Ảnh 1. — Nguyen Van Giau *(middle)* scored the only goal to help Tra Vinh University team win a place in the final round.

When the match entered the second minute of extra time, the fans of both teams thought that the winner would have to be decided by penalty kicks, but the Tra Vinh University team suddenly scored a goal thanks to Nguyen Van Giau. Receiving a long pass from his teammate, Giau headed the ball dangerously, causing goalkeeper Dang Khoa to not control the ball well, causing the ball to bounce out and the player rushed in to finish successfully. Nguyen Van Giau's golden goal helped the Tra Vinh University team win a thrilling 1-0 victory over the Nam Can Tho University team, thereby winning the only ticket from the Southwest region to Ho Chi Minh City to participate in the final round.

Coach Tram Quoc Nam of Tra Vinh University said: “This was a very difficult final match because Nam Can Tho University organized an effective defense. We controlled the game well, created many opportunities, although the goal was late but completely deserved. Tra Vinh University is proud to represent the Southwest region to participate in the TNSV finals for the second consecutive time.”

The journey to the regional championship of Tra Vinh University was convincing when they won all 3 group stage matches against Vinh Long University of Technical Education (4-0),FPT University Can Tho (4-1), Tay Do University (6-0). In the play-off, Coach Tram Quoc Nam's students beat Cuu Long University with a score of 1-0 and defeated Nam Can Tho University in the final. In last year's final round, Tra Vinh University excellently won a ticket to the quarterfinals. This time, Coach Tram Quoc Nam expects his students to aim for higher achievements.

It is difficult to stop the host Nha Trang University.

At 3:00 p.m. today, January 18, at Nha Trang University Stadium, the final match of the South Central Highlands regional qualifying round between Nha Trang University and Quy Nhon University took place to determine the last ticket to the final round of the THACO Cup 2025.

Participating in the tournament for the first time, Quy Nhon University team made an impression with a perfect record of winning in the group stage against Nha Trang College of Tourism (2-1), Thai Binh Duong University (4-1). In the semi-finals, coach Thai Binh Thuan and his team defeated Da Lat University 5-0. Meanwhile, the home team Nha Trang University affirmed their strength with victories against Da Lat University (5-0), Khanh Hoa University (2-0) in the group stage. In the semi-finals, coach Nguyen Anh Tu and his team defeated Nha Trang College of Tourism 2-1.

Coach Thai Binh Thuan of Quy Nhon University team said: “Quy Nhon University team is thinner than its opponents. There is not much time to practice before the tournament because of lack of practice ground, some students are busy with semester exams. What the coaching staff is most satisfied with is that the students have a very good competitive spirit, eager to show themselves in their first time coming to the tournament.”

Meanwhile, Coach Nguyen Anh Tu said: “Our goal from the beginning was to win a ticket to the final round. With what we have shown in the recent matches, the Quy Nhon University team has shown its ability and comprehensiveness, but I believe that the students will have high concentration and be able to develop their full potential.”