In an impressive start to their campaign in the National First Division, FC Thai Nguyen achieved a historic victory against Quy Nhon United, winning 2-1 on September 13, 2026. This win not only marked their first match in the league but also came with a remarkable cash reward of 1.15 billion VND, boosting the team's morale as they embark on their inaugural season in professional football.

The match took place in front of over 6,000 enthusiastic fans at their home ground. FC Thai Nguyen wasted no time in making their mark, with Victor Mansaray scoring the opening goal just six minutes into the game. He later doubled the lead in the 39th minute, showcasing his skills and establishing himself as the standout player of the match. Quy Nhon United managed to pull one back with a header from Gia Viet just before halftime, but they could not find an equalizer in the second half.

Following the match, the team was rewarded with a significant financial boost. The Vice Chairman of the Thai Nguyen Business Association, Nguyen Van Thang, presented 500 million VND to the team, with an additional 50 million VND awarded to Mansaray for his outstanding performance. The club's president, Vu Phi Ho, contributed another 300 million VND, while various local business leaders each donated 100 million VND, further emphasizing the strong support behind the team.

This substantial financial backing is indicative of the resources available to FC Thai Nguyen, with 32 sponsors committing over 115 billion VND to support the club this season. However, head coach Pham Minh Duc acknowledged that there are areas for improvement, particularly regarding the team's fitness levels, as they struggled to maintain pressure in the latter stages of the match.

With this impressive debut and substantial rewards, FC Thai Nguyen aims to convert their strong financial foundation into competitive success in their first season in the National First Division. The anticipation now lies in how well they can leverage these resources to achieve their ambitions in professional football.