Ninh Binh and Ho Chi Minh City Police reach the National Cup final: A clash between two extremes.
After defeating The Cong Viettel and Nam Dinh in the semi-finals, Ninh Binh and Ho Chi Minh City Police will face off in a dramatic match for the 2025/26 National Cup championship on June 14th.
The semi-finals of the 2025/26 National Cup have concluded with dramatic scenarios, determining the two best teams to advance to the final: Ninh Binh and Ho Chi Minh City Police (CA TP.HCM). While Ninh Binh demonstrated overwhelming strength against V-League runner-up The Cong Viettel with a 4-1 victory, the Southern representative also created a major upset by defeating Nam Dinh 4-2 right at Thien Truong Stadium.
Ninh Binh and the resilience of a "new force" under coach Chu Dinh Nghiem.
Ninh Binh's 4-1 victory over The Cong Viettel was not just a scoreline, but also a testament to their professionalism and the character of a championship contender. Facing a highly disciplined team, Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's side chose a calm approach, cleverly exploiting their opponent's mistakes.
Ninh Binh capitalized on the gaps left by The Cong Viettel's high defensive line. Gia Hung opened the scoring, and Hoang Duc doubled the lead. Even when the opposition narrowed the score to 1-2, the Ninh Binh players maintained their focus, with Bao Toan and Fred Friday sealing the victory in the final minutes. Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's tactical imprint was evident as he transformed the star players into a unified unit, providing excellent cover for the defense, where goalkeeper Van Lam consistently maintained his stability.
Ho Chi Minh City Police: The powerful resurgence of Southern pride.
In the other bracket, Ho Chi Minh City Police created one of the most emotional matches of the season by defeating Nam Dinh 4-2. Scoring four consecutive goals in the first half demonstrated the team's incredible explosive ability. Although Nam Dinh tried to narrow the gap in the second half, their fighting spirit helped the Southern team hold firm.
This victory is significant, rekindling hope for Southern football amidst a shifting balance of power towards Northern teams. The brilliance of the overseas Vietnamese players is becoming a solid foundation for CA TP.HCM to dream of winning the national championship after many years of waiting.
Anticipate a high-stakes showdown in Ninh Binh.
The final match, taking place on June 14th in Ninh Binh, promises to be a clash between two opposing styles: the stability and discipline of Ninh Binh and the explosive, emotional style of Ho Chi Minh City Police. Ninh Binh has the home advantage and a well-balanced squad, while Ho Chi Minh City Police is in high spirits after relieving the pressure of a turbulent season.
This year's National Cup has truly transcended the shadow of a secondary competition, becoming a fiery arena where glory will only be reserved for the most resilient team at the decisive moment. Fans are anticipating a captivating match to determine the most deserving winner of the silver trophy for the 2025/26 season.