The Tra Vinh University football team advances to the finals of the 2nd Vietnam Student Football Tournament 2024 – THACO Cup, as the Southwest region’s representative, after a convincing 2-0 win against the Can Tho University team.
The turning-point penalty
The play-off match for the only ticket in the Southwest region to the finals of the 2nd Vietnam Student Football Tournament 2024 – THACO Cup between Can Tho University and Tra Vinh University takes place on the afternoon of March 9 at Can Tho Stadium.
Son Ngoc Tam, the main striker for Tra Vinh University, is unfortunately absent at the game because of his injury. In the third game, he was the player who scored a brace in the 7-1 defeat over the FPT Can Tho University team. The Can Tho University team of coach Chau Duc Thanh has quite a full force; however, their main striker, Trinh Van Quoc Kiet, has just returned from an injury and hasn’t demonstrated much yet.
The match between two representatives who are believed to be the most equal in talent in the Southwest area is immediately balanced at the starting whistle.
In the first half, the ball is mostly distributed to both flanks. The match’s balance is maintained, and the first half finishes with a 0-0 score.
The Tra Vinh University team, however, plays with greater organization in the second half. Coach Tram Quoc Nam of the Tra Vinh University team has changed his technique for telling the players to press high, particularly while competing for high balls. During a threatening move by the opponent in the 63rd minute of the match, the Can Tho University team’s goalkeeper commits a foul in the penalty area. On the penalty mark, Tram Huynh Lam scores the opening goal for the Tra Vinh team.
After conceding a goal, Can Tho University players rush to attack. However, only three minutes after the initial goal, Tram Huynh Cong jumps high and scores a stunning header, bringing Tra Vinh University’s lead to 2-0. In the last minutes of the game, the Can Tho University team attacks continuously but cannot score a goal.
The Tra Vinh University team wins the match 2-0, making them the only participant from the Southwest to go to the finals of the 2nd Vietnam Student Football Tournament 2024 – THACO Cup. This victory also helps Tra Vinh University players repay the debt from losing 0-2 to rival Can Tho University in the 2023 tournament.
Trying their best as the Southwest representative
In the post-match interview, coach Chau Duc Thanh of the Can Tho University team states that the play-off match was expected to be extremely difficult given that the two teams were considered similar in strength. “The Can Tho University players gave it their all, but timing is important in football, and the team that takes advantage of it wins. And, in this encounter, the Tra Vinh University squad performed excellently, particularly the midfielders. Congratulations to Tra Vinh University; may the Southwest representative be successful in the upcoming finals,” says coach Chau Duc Thanh.
For the Tra Vinh University team’s side, immediately after the final whistle, coach Tram Quoc Nam and the players approach the stands to thank the supporters for traveling over 100 kilometers to Can Tho to cheer for them. Even Mr. Nam’s 87-year-old mother appears at the match to support her son and Tra Vinh University players.
Although a few players had minor injuries before the game, according to coach Tram Quoc Nam, the entire squad nevertheless had a great attitude on the field. Tram Huynh Cong and Nguyen Thanh Phat, two players with good height and heading skills, were sent on after the balanced first half. This tactical change resulted in two straight goals for Tra Vinh University almost immediately.
Although a few players had minor injuries before the game, according to coach Tram Quoc Nam, the entire squad nevertheless had a great attitude on the field. Tram Huynh Cong and Nguyen Thanh Phat, two players with good height and heading skills, were sent on after the balanced first half. This tactical change resulted in two straight goals for Tra Vinh University almost immediately.
While discussing the team’s preparations for the finals, coach Tram Quoc Nam reaffirms, “First and foremost, we will play for the reputation of Tra Vinh University, and secondly, we will dedicate ourselves to be worthy of representing the Southwest region at a large and prestigious tournament like the 2nd Vietnam Student Football Tournament 2024 – THACO Cup.”
By Lan Anh
