ROUND 1 ACTION IS COMPLETE!!!!
After the first day of the VietCredit 2020 Championships, we would like to congratulate all the teams that came out to compete! The round of 16 saw extremely intense matches that ultimately lead to an unlikely final… Undoubtedly, the best teams of the day made it through the competition, but as always a little luck played into the fortune of some, and against others.
We would like to say thank you again to everyone that joined us including all the spectators, players, support team, and others. With special thanks to our partners and sponsors from VietCredit, Hafele, Kamito, and City International Hospital who helped make the day exciting, fun, and safe for everyone!
Down to the action…
Starting with our host VietCredit Teams, they put on an impressive showing making it to the 3rd round of the competition. They played clean football, and moved the ball well through both the back and front halves of the field. They played strong teams though in all their games, and unluckily were able to convert on a number of chances that would have seen them play Warriors for the eventual Winners bracket finals.
Warriors FC conversely started quite smoothly and dominated the games up to the Winner’s Division semi-finals, where they played against Saigon Fusion. Fusion FC had a fast start and was attack minded early, but the match was eventually taken over by Warriors. Then in the Finals of the Winner’s division they came up against Ban Viet Bank. This was another tight match, but unfortunately Ban Viet Bank had to play Hafele FC before this match who was extremely strong as well, and one of the favorites to win the round. This however proved to take a toll on them, as Ban Viet Bank ultimately lost, but would have a chance at redemption later in the tournament. Warriors FC now only had to wait to see who they would face off against in the finals. With a likely opponent being one of the 3 others teams mentioned above.
Our other highlighted team, Minh Nhat FC’s story is not so clear cut though. They faced Ban Viet Bank in the 2nd round and were defeated 1-0 which put them into a tough spot. Now in order to progress to the end, they would need to play 5 games more in a row, & 7 games back-to-back in order to overcome and become champions of Round 1. In an unlikely turn of events, they managed to stay competitive somehow, playing Hafele in the quarterfinal of the lower bracket, and then Vietjet FC in the Semi’s.
Now though, the team that had sent them to the Lower bracket in only the 2nd round, was their final test in the bracket finals… Ban Viet Bank was the fresher of the teams, but Minh Nhat was determined. Minh Nhat had already played 6 games with minimal rest between, and their players were beginning to show fatigue. Both teams went into the game with confidence, but it was Minh Nhat FC that was able to return from nearly insurmountable odds to win against the team that had handed them their loss in the 2nd game of the day.
Now in the Round 1 finals, Warriors were again the fresher of the teams and looked strong in every game. Minh Nhat knew that luck would be a factor as their players were struggling with cramping and exhaustion from the grueling schedule. As the final game kicked off, both teams had opportunities, but somehow Minh Nhat was able to net the only goal of the game when the final whistle blew. They had done what seemed a nearly impossible task and risen to the challenge by putting the Warriors on the back foot going into the grudge match to determine the Round 1 Winner.
This time the Warriors and Minh Nhat seemed more evenly matched, and both teams were able to put the ball into the back of the net when regular time ended. Finally it went to penalties, and after a back and forth battle that went to 7 penalty kicks….. the players from Minh Nhat were rewarded for their extreme perseverance as they were crowned Champions of Round 1!
They now await their future opponents who will be determined in the coming weeks at Football Arena & SPKT, on July 19th & August 2nd respectively.
We invite you to join in the action and be a part of history with us either as a competing football club, or as a spectator to cheer on your favorite team!
One thing is for sure, you don’t want to miss a minute of the action at the VietCredit 2020 Championships as we come closer to the finals on August 23rd. Live from the fields with a very special broadcast to see who will be the Champion of Vietnam’s Biggest 7-Side Tournament!
Minh Nhat FC has booked their spot, who’s next?
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