Defending Runner-Up SAWACO Eliminated in Group Stage of Vietnam Workers' Football Championship

The 2026 Vietnam Workers' Football Championship saw a major upset as defending runner-up SAWACO was unexpectedly eliminated in the group stage of the southern regionals. The team's hopes of advancing were dashed after a 1-1 draw against Dong Nai 1 in their final Group E match on June 9. This result left SAWACO with only 4 points, securing them third place in the group and an early exit from the tournament.

This premature departure marks a significant disappointment for SAWACO and its fans, especially given their strong performance in previous years. The team was the runner-up in the southern regionals last year and secured third place in the national finals in 2025. Their elimination this year is considered a major shock within the competition.

The team's struggles began with a loss to the Southern Construction and Oilfield Equipment Company of Ho Chi Minh City (Công đoàn Xây lắp dầu khí miền Nam TP.HCM) in their opening match. This initial setback prevented SAWACO from mounting the comeback needed to advance, a feat achieved by other teams in different regional groups.

The Southern Construction and Oilfield Equipment Company topped Group E and advanced to the quarterfinals. The Vietnam Workers' Football Championship, organized annually by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour and Tuổi Trẻ newspaper in coordination with the Vietnam Football Federation, continues to be a prestigious platform for workers across the country. This year's tournament features 48 teams nationwide, aiming to promote sports and enhance the cultural and spiritual lives of laborers.