Defending champion SACOMBANK surprisingly eliminated from Vietnam Workers' Football Tournament

SACOMBANK, the reigning champion, has been unexpectedly knocked out of the Southern qualifying round of the 2026 Vietnam Workers' Football Tournament. The "earthquake" occurred at the Ton Duc Thang University stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on June 9, where the defending champions were defeated in the quarterfinals.

Facing the Dong Nai 4 Trade Union team, SACOMBANK, boasting a squad including notable players like Nguyen Thanh Dat and Huynh Long Man, was heavily favored. However, Dong Nai 4 Trade Union scored an early goal in the 14th minute through Ngo Tri Tai, who capitalized on a rebound. Following the early lead, the Dong Nai team adopted a defensive strategy for the remainder of the match.

Despite having 45 minutes to equalize, SACOMBANK's players, including Long Man, could not find the back of the net and ultimately succumbed to the narrow 1-0 defeat. This loss means SACOMBANK is no longer the champion of the Southern qualifying round or the 2025 national finals.

However, the bank-backed team may still have a chance to compete in the national finals, scheduled for July 16-19, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City. The tournament, now in its fourth year, is a significant annual event for workers and laborers across Vietnam, attracting 48 teams. It aims to promote physical fitness and enhance the cultural and spiritual lives of participants. The total prize pool for the tournament is 900 million Vietnamese dong, with the national champion receiving 200 million dong.

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Earthquake occurred at the stadium... when the champion SACOMBANK had to stop at the quarterfinals of the Southern qualifying round.