Becamex Ho Chi Minh City 2-1 Cong An Ho Chi Minh City: Friendly Thriller Fires Up City Rivalry

Becamex Ho Chi Minh City edged out neighbours Cong An Ho Chi Minh City 2-1 in an entertaining international club friendly on 23 August 2026. The match, played as part of mid-season preparations, delivered plenty of intensity and quality despite being a warm-up fixture, with both sides using the opportunity to sharpen their squads.

Match Overview

Hosted in Ho Chi Minh City, the friendly carried genuine local bragging rights. While the result will not go down in official league standings, it offered both coaches valuable insight into their tactical setups and player fitness levels. The fans who attended were treated to an open, attacking game that felt far more competitive than a typical summer exhibition.

First Half: Becamex Strike Early

Becamex started brightly and were rewarded for their aggressive press in the 14th minute. A well-worked corner routine found midfielder Nguyen Huu Minh at the far post, and he headed home to give his team the lead. The early goal lifted the home side, who maintained a high tempo and forced a series of defensive errors from Cong An.

Cong An gradually grew into the game as the half wore on. Their central midfielders began to find more time on the ball, and they carved out a couple of half-chances with quick combinations through the middle. However, Becamex’s goalkeeper was rarely tested, and the home side went into halftime with a well-deserved advantage.

Second Half: Cong An Answer, Becamex Respond

The visitors came out with renewed purpose after the interval. Their pressure paid off in the 61st minute when striker Le Van Phong reacted quickest to a rebound and smashed the ball into the top corner, leveling the match. The equalizer set up a lively final half-hour that had the look of a genuine derby.

Becamex, though, showed resilience. They pushed forward once more, and it was substitute Tran Quoc Thang who proved decisive in the 76th minute. The forward collected a pass on the edge of the box, shifted past two defenders, and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any match and capped a determined display from the home side.

Key Takeaways for Both Coaches

• Becamex Ho Chi Minh City: The team displayed excellent attacking instincts and a strong bench, with the impact of substitutes turning the game in their favour.
• Cong An Ho Chi Minh City: Their second-half improvement suggests they are building fitness, but defensive concentration remains a concern ahead of competitive fixtures.

Friendly with Real Value

International club friendlies are often about rotation and observation, but this match had real bite. For Becamex, the victory provides a morale boost and confirms that their attacking players are in good rhythm. For Cong An, despite the defeat, the workout against an active pressing team will have exposed areas to work on in training.

Both clubs now continue their preseason programs with a clearer idea of their starting lineups. Even without league points at stake, this Ho Chi Minh City derby will have given the supporters plenty to talk about — and shows that these two teams will be worth watching when the official season begins.