Thep Can Tho defeated Xuan Thien Phu Tho 2–0 at home on October 17 in round three of the 2026/27 first division. Pham Van Son and captain Bui Van Hieu scored after half-time to give Nguyen Van Dan's team its first win, Tuoi Tre reported.

Both sides had one point from their opening two matches. Can Tho had lost to Hung Yen and drawn with Long An, while Phu Tho had drawn against Khanh Hoa before losing to Hung Yen.

Pressure eventually produces a breakthrough

Can Tho held 61% possession in the opening half and attempted five shots, two on target. Phu Tho managed one attempt, but the interval arrived goalless.

Thaileon came close when a goalkeeper intervention sent the ball against his head and onto the post. The Brazilian left the field before half-time.

The home side maintained pressure after the restart. Van Son opened the scoring from a rebound after Huu Thuc sent the ball into the penalty area.

Captain secures the points

Van Hieu had earlier been denied in a one-on-one and hit the crossbar from distance. In the eighty-sixth minute, he rounded goalkeeper Tien Tao and finished into an empty net for 2–0.

Quoc Trung missed a further late opportunity, leaving the two-goal margin intact.

The table cited after the match placed Can Tho sixth on four points from three games and Phu Tho last on one. Those positions reflect the reporting point. The confirmed development is Can Tho's first victory after taking only one point from its first two fixtures.