Foreign Coach Makes First Appearance at Vietnam Student Championship

Dong Thap University approaches the final stage of the 4th Vietnam Student Youth Football Championship 2026 (TNSV Cup 2026) holding a special position as the sole team guided by a foreign head coach.

Final Round The 4th Vietnam Student Youth Football Championship 2026 will take place from March 7th to March 22nd at the Nha Trang University Stadium, featuring the top 12 teams from regional qualifiers. Among these talented teams, Dong Thap University stands out as the only representative from the Southwest region and the only team in this final round coached by a foreign head coach.

Making their debut on the national stage, the team from the land of lotus flowers enters the tournament with impressive credentials. During the Southwest regional qualifiers, Dong Thap University played four matches without conceding a single goal. This perfect defensive record reflects their thorough preparation and solid technical foundation developed through regular training.

The Western region representative’s playing style impresses with its high discipline, synchronized teamwork across all lines, and clear tactical thinking. Many goals come from swift counterattacks, demonstrating the coaching staff’s well-planned strategies rather than relying solely on individual moments of brilliance.

Behind this transformation is head coach João Pedro, a 39-year-old Portuguese strategist. Trained in Europe and having worked in Singapore, India, and England, he brings modern coaching philosophies to Vietnamese school football. Despite language barriers upon arriving in Vietnam, his enthusiasm and assertive coaching style consistently motivate the players.

The 2025 season was an unforgettable experience for this coach. At that time, Dong Thap University drew all three group matches and was eliminated early, leading many to doubt the foreign coach’s capabilities. However, returning in 2026, João Pedro confidently asserted that the team would show a different face, and indeed, one draw and three wins in the qualifiers proved his claim was justified.

The European coach’s strength lies in his ability to organize professional tactical training sessions and conduct thorough opponent analysis. He often watches matches from the stands with his assistants to assess the overall gameplay and then makes appropriate tactical adjustments. With this foundation, Dong Thap University is not only a newcomer to the 2026 finals but also a notable dark horse, especially since they have the distinct advantage of being the only team with a foreign coach on the bench.