Thai Son Bac Secures Historic Treble by Defeating Sahako to Win the 2026 National Futsal Cup

The 2026 Vietnamese futsal season reached a dramatic crescendo on September 14 at the Lanh Binh Thang Gymnasium in Ho Chi Minh City, where Thai Son Bac completed a domestic clean sweep by clinching the National Futsal Cup 2026. Facing off against their fierce rivals Sahako FC in a high-stakes championship match, the defending champions demonstrated tactical discipline, resilience, and clinical finishing to secure a 4-2 victory. This triumph not only added another prestigious piece of silverware to the club’s trophy cabinet but also cemented an unprecedented treble for the team within a single calendar year, having previously triumphed in the National Futsal Championship in late July.

The path to the final was fraught with tension and demanded peak physical and mental endurance from all participating squads. In the semi-final fixtures held just days prior, Thai Son Bac navigated a challenging encounter against Tan Hiep Hung Ho Chi Minh City, ultimately prevailing with a narrow 2-1 scoreline. Meanwhile, Sahako FC produced one of the most thrilling performances of the tournament, overcoming heavyweight contenders Thai Son Nam Ho Chi Minh City in a nine-goal thriller that ended 5-4. These results set the stage for a blockbuster final showdown between two of the most formidable tactical units in Vietnamese club futsal, drawing large crowds of passionate supporters to the iconic Lanh Binh Thang venue.

An Action-Packed Final Unfolds

As the referee blew the whistle to commence the championship match, both teams immediately pressed high, showcasing their intent to control the tempo. Thai Son Bac drew first blood merely five minutes into the encounter. A powerful free-kick delivered by Nguyen Thac Hieu caused panic in the Sahako penalty area; the ball deflected off Y-zen Nie Kdam in a chaotic scramble, wrong-footing goalkeeper Doan Minh Quang and crossing the goal line to give the defending champions an early 1-0 advantage.

However, Sahako refused to be rattled by the early setback. Maintaining their composure, they intensified their attacking sequences and leveled the score just six minutes later. Tran Thanh Phong demonstrated exceptional positional awareness inside the box, finishing clinically past the Thai Son Bac defense to equalize at 1-1 and reigniting the hopes of the Sahako faithful.

The momentum, nonetheless, proved temporary as Thai Son Bac capitalized on defensive lapses just before the halftime interval. Head coach Costa Garcia’s tactical adjustments paid dividends in the 16th minute when Vu Ngoc Anh capitalized on a loose ball to restore the lead. Shortly after, in the 18th minute, Nguyen Da Hai converted a penalty with supreme confidence, stretching the advantage to 3-1 and putting Thai Son Bac firmly in the driving seat heading into the break.

Tactical Resilience and Championship Mentality

Entering the second half, Sahako recognized the urgency of their situation and threw numbers forward, dominating possession and pinning the reigning champions back in their own half. Their relentless pressure earned them a penalty in the 28th minute, presenting a golden opportunity to narrow the deficit. However, Nguyen Da Hai failed to convert from the spot, missing the target and keeping the scoreline at 3-1, a reprieve that offered Thai Son Bac a vital sigh of relief.

Capitalizing on the psychological boost of surviving the penalty scare, Sahako redoubled their efforts. Their persistence was rewarded in the 30th minute when Dinh Bay Thanh unleashed a ferocious shot following a well-executed set-piece, successfully beating the goalkeeper and reducing the deficit to 2-3. The atmosphere inside the arena reached a fever pitch as Sahako sensed a potential comeback.

Yet, true champions are defined by their ability to weather storms and strike decisively on the counter-attack. Thai Son Bac exhibited precisely this championship pedigree in the 34th minute. Launching a swift, lightning-fast counter-attack orchestrated by the technical brilliance of Mota, the foreign star effortlessly eluded the Sahako defensive line before unselfishly squaring the ball to Nguyen Da Hai. With the goal gaping, Da Hai made no mistake, slotting home to secure his brace and seal a definitive 4-2 victory for his side.

A Historic Treble and Season Overview

The final whistle confirmed Thai Son Bac’s triumph, marking their third consecutive National Futsal Cup title—a remarkable dynasty in domestic knockout competition. More importantly, under the astute leadership of Spanish head coach Costa Garcia, the club successfully completed a clean sweep of major domestic honors for the 2026 season. This unprecedented achievement follows their magnificent campaign in the National Futsal Championship in late July, where they also claimed the top honors, solidifying their status as the undisputed powerhouse of contemporary Vietnamese futsal.

Meanwhile, the third-place playoff earlier in the day showcased the immense depth of talent within the domestic league. Thai Son Nam Ho Chi Minh City rebounded from their heartbreaking semi-final defeat to dismantle Tan Hiep Hung with a resounding 6-1 victory. Despite the heavy loss, Tan Hiep Hung was graciously awarded the Fair Play title, recognizing their exemplary sportsmanship and competitive spirit throughout the grueling tournament.

Broader Implications for Vietnamese Futsal

The conclusion of the 2026 National Futsal Cup provides significant insights into the current landscape of the sport in Vietnam. The consistent dominance of clubs like Thai Son Bac and Thai Son Nam underscores the effectiveness of structured youth development programs, professional coaching staff, and sustained financial investment. The integration of high-caliber foreign players, such as Mota, alongside seasoned national team veterans has noticeably elevated the tactical complexity and technical execution of domestic matches.

Furthermore, the competitive fire displayed by runner-up Sahako and semi-finalist Tan Hiep Hung indicates that the gap between the elite champions and the chasing pack is gradually narrowing. This heightened level of domestic competition is widely viewed by sports analysts and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) as a crucial catalyst for the national team’s ongoing development. With core players gaining high-pressure tournament experience, the overall talent pool available for international duty continues to expand, boding well for Vietnam’s ambitions in upcoming continental and global qualifiers.

As the 2026 futsal calendar draws to a close, Thai Son Bac stands firmly in the spotlight, basking in the glory of a historic treble. Their methodical rise, tactical adaptability, and unwavering winning mentality serve as a gold standard for professional futsal clubs across the region, setting an exceptionally high benchmark for the seasons to come.