The student football team unexpectedly made history in Vietnamese football

Van Hien University created a historic moment as the first student team to secure a victory in a professional competition, beating Dong Thap in round 4 of the 2025/26 National First Division.

On the afternoon of October 17, Thong Nhat Stadium witnessed a special milestone in Vietnamese football when Van Hien University became the first student team to win in a professional league. In the 4th round of the 2025/26 National First Division, coach Nguyen Dinh Hung’s squad defeated Dong Thap 1-0, marking a historic achievement for the nation’s football scene.

The most impressive player was midfielder Doan Cao Danh, who scored the only goal of the match in the 78th minute. From a seemingly low-risk situation, he skillfully maneuvered near the penalty area before unleashing a powerful long-range shot that struck the far corner of the goal. Dong Thap’s goalkeeper Tien Manh could only watch helplessly. This goal not only secured Van Hien’s first full 3 points but also provided a significant morale boost for the young team.

Notably, Van Hien University was established only in March 2024 and within just over a year has already competed in the First Division – the second-highest professional football league in Vietnam.

Starting as a student team, Van Hien is demonstrating the great potential of combining academic education with sports development. This approach is highly regarded by experts as it helps cultivate quality football talent within the university environment.

Before round 4, Van Hien had earned only 1 point from 3 matches and was eliminated early from the National Cup. Therefore, the win against Dong Thap was crucial, lifting them to 8th place with 4 points and temporarily moving them out of the relegation zone. Conversely, Dong Thap continued to decline with only 2 points from 4 matches, dropping to 10th place and facing heavy pressure from their supporters.

In other matches, Ho Chi Minh City Club won decisively against Thanh Nien Ho Chi Minh 5-0 at Ba Ria, with goals from Chu Van Kien, Vo Ngoc Duc, Duong Quang Trung Hieu, Nguyen The Dung, and Nguyen Ha Long, temporarily taking the top spot in the standings. Round 4 will conclude on October 18 and 19 with the following fixtures: Long An vs. Dong Nai, Quang Ninh vs. Khanh Hoa, Bac Ninh vs. Quy Nhon United, and Phu Tho vs. PVF Youth.