Determining the final team to earn promotion to the First Division

2026 National Second Division Finals: Lam Dong claims the final promotion berth.

On the afternoon of June 16, the playoff match for the last promotion slot of the 2026 National Second Division Football Finals took place with intense drama at Quy Nhon Stadium (Gia Lai). After afer a 0-0 draw in regular time, Lam Dong Club defeated Truong Giang Gia Dinh 4-3 in a penalty shootout, becoming the third team to secure promotion to the National First Division for the 2026/27 season.

After both teams suffered defeats in their matches on June 13, both Lam Dong and Truong Giang Gia Dinh understood that this was their final chance to achieve their promotion goal. Therefore, both teams entered the match with extremely high determination.

With many experienced and composed players, Truong Giang Gia Dinh was the more proactive team in the opening minutes. In the 10th minute, the team from Ho Chi Minh City had a favorable opportunity to open the scoring when Huu Nhieu fired a close-range shot from about five meters. However, goalkeeper Lam Nhat made an excellent reflex save to keep Lam Dong in the game.

After this incident, the team from the Central Highlands gradually regained balance. D more organized formation and maintained discipline in their play. Although Truong Giang Gia Dinh still controlled the game better for the rest of the first half, they failed to create many truly dangerous chances on goal. On the other hand, Lam Dong also focused mainly on the midfield area to limit the opponent's attacking power and had few notable finishing opportunities.

In the second half, the match became quite balanced as both teams exchanged attacks. However, the ball mostly stayed in midfield, resulting in few dangerous chances. The most notable incident came in the 83rd minute when Truong Giang Gia Dinh's goalkeeper Anh Tri failed to catch a high ball cleanly, causing a gasp among the spectators. Nonetheless, the keeper managed to regain control before Lam Dong players could pounce on the rebound.

In the tense penalty shootout, although Lam Dong missed their first two attempts, goalkeeper Lam Nhat became the hero for the Central Highlands team. After saving two penalties in the first five rounds to tie the score at 3-3, the goalkeeper shined again in the sixth round by blocking another opponent's shot. The final 4-3 victory in the shootout secured Lam Dong the last promotion ticket to the National First Division for the 2026/27 season.

Thus, concluding the 2026 National Second Division Football Finals, the three teams earning promotion to the National First Division for the 2026/27 season are Tre Ha Noi, Hue, and Lam Dong. Notably, Tre Ha Noi and Hue were recognized as co-champions of the Second Division, while Lam Dong claimed the third-place spot and the final promotion slot after a thrilling victory over Truong Giang Gia Dinh.

Final results of the 2026 National Second Division:

– Co-champions: Hue, Tre Ha Noi

– Promoted to the 2026/27 National First Division: Hue, Tre Ha Noi, Lam Dong

– Relegated to the 2027 National Third Division: Tre Phu Dong and Me Kong Can Tho.