Ninh Binh, 14 June 2026 – Ho Chi Minh City Police FC were crowned champions of the 2025/26 Vietnamese National Cup after defeating Ninh Binh FC 2-1 in the final on June 14, lifting the trophy on their opponents’ home ground.
The triumph marked the club’s third National Cup title, adding to previous successes in 1998 and the 2000/01 season. The victory also secured a place for Ho Chi Minh City Police FC in next season’s ASEAN Club Championship.
Backed by a passionate home crowd, Ninh Binh FC entered the final determined to seize the initiative and quickly took control of possession. Confident in their quality and home advantage, the hosts pushed forward in search of an early breakthrough.
However, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC remained faithful to the tactical approach that had served them well throughout the campaign. Coach Phung Thanh Phuong instructed his side to stay compact defensively, absorb pressure, and strike on the counterattack whenever opportunities arose.
Despite leaving star striker Nguyen Tien Linh on the bench, the visitors carried a significant threat through their attacking trio of Lee Williams, Khoa Ngo, and Raphael Utzig.
The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute. Following a corner delivered by Minh Trong, Raphael Utzig rose highest inside the penalty area and powered a close-range header into the net to give Ho Chi Minh City Police FC a 1-0 lead.
The goal unsettled Ninh Binh, who continued to attack but began leaving gaps at the back. Those defensive vulnerabilities were exposed again in the 37th minute when Raphael Utzig produced a perfectly weighted through ball from midfield. Lee Williams timed his run brilliantly, beat the offside trap, rounded goalkeeper Dang Van Lam, and calmly slotted into an empty net to double the advantage.
Trailing by two goals, Ninh Binh intensified their efforts after the break. Midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc, along with Geovane and Quoc Viet, repeatedly tested goalkeeper Patrick Le Giang, but the visitors’ defense remained resilient.
The hosts finally found a lifeline in the 74th minute when Geovane converted a penalty to reduce the deficit to 2-1. The goal sparked hopes of a comeback, and Ninh Binh threw everything forward during the closing stages.
Despite relentless pressure and six minutes of added time, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC held firm to protect their lead and secure a memorable victory.
The final whistle sparked celebrations among the visitors as they completed a remarkable cup run, claiming the 2025/26 National Cup title and earning qualification for continental competition next season. For Ninh Binh FC, the defeat ended an impressive campaign just one step short of silverware, while Ho Chi Minh City Police FC added another major trophy to their growing history.
Leave a Reply