Vietnam Police II had a flawless run to the final. In the group stage, they defeated Singapore 3-0, Australia 10-3, and Timor Leste 3-0 to top Group B. In the semi-finals, they overcame Thailand 2-1. Meanwhile, Cambodia also topped Group A with victories against Vietnam Police I, Thailand, and Laos. They then drew 2-2 with Timor Leste in the semi-final before prevailing 11-10 in a penalty shootout.
For the final, Vietnam Police II fielded 9 professional players from the PVF-CAND first division team: goalkeeper Truong Thai Hieu, defenders Dao Van Chuong, Phung Viet Truong, Tran Ngoc Son, Nguyen Van Dung, midfielders Ngo Duc Phu, Nguyen Huy Hung, Nguyen Nhu Tuan, and forward Tran Duc Nam. The remaining two spots were filled by former Vietnam national team players Mai Tien Thanh and Hoang Dinh Tung. The substitutes included Phi Minh Long, Nguyen Ngoc Duy, Tay Van Toan, and Tran Van Hoa.
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Tran Duc Nam celebrates his goal, making it 2-0 for Vietnam Police II against Cambodia in the final of the 2025 Southeast Asian Police Football Championship at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi on 15/7/2025. Photo: Organizing Committee |
Tran Duc Nam celebrates his goal, making it 2-0 for Vietnam Police II against Cambodia in the final of the 2025 Southeast Asian Police Football Championship at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi on 15/7/2025. Photo: Organizing Committee
The Cambodian team also featured several players from the Visakha club, currently competing in the Cambodian Premier League, as well as Nigerian forward Ekejiuba Valentine.
At Hang Day Stadium, the match heavily favored the home side. In the 5th minute, Nguyen Nhu Tuan opened the scoring with a close-range header. In the 32nd minute, a Cambodian player misplaced a pass in midfield. Tran Duc Nam gained possession, spotted the opposing goalkeeper off his line, and shot from the center circle to double the lead.
Vietnam maintained complete control in the second half. In the 69th minute, a swift counter-attack saw Duc Nam carry the ball before passing it left. Vu Manh Duy controlled the pass, surged into the penalty box, and scored with a left-footed shot into the far corner. In the 80th minute, Ngo Duc Phu's shot from a tight angle sealed the 4-0 victory.
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Vu Manh Duy (left) scores to make it 3-0 for Vietnam Police II against Cambodia. |
The championship earned Vietnam Police II a prize of 30,000 USD (750 million VND). Runners-up Cambodia received 15,000 USD. Thailand and Timor Leste, finishing third, each received 5,000 USD. Laos received the Fair Play award.
Vietnam Police II forward Tran Duc Nam secured two individual awards: Best Player and Top Scorer (8 goals). The Best Goalkeeper award went to Nattawoot Saengdara of Thailand.
This year's tournament was hosted by the Ministry of Public Security, in collaboration with the Department of Political Affairs (X03), the Department of Physical Education and Sports, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), T&T Group, and SHB Bank. The tournament was part of the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the People's Police Founding Day (19/8/1945 – 19/8/2025) and the 20th anniversary of the National Security Protection Day (19/8/2005 – 19/8/2025).
Hieu Luong
