PETALING JAYA: National midfielder Endrick dos Santos has won his first Vietnamese domestic title after Cong An Ho Chi Minh City lifted the National Cup with a hard-fought victory in Ninh Binh on Sunday.
Coached by Phung Thanh Phuong, Ho Chi Minh City defeated Ninh Binh 2-1 in the final at Ninh Binh Stadium to end a 20-year wait for the club’s most coveted domestic honour.
Brazilian winger Raphael Utzig struck in the 16th minute before English-Vietnamese striker Lee Williams doubled the lead in the 34th.
Ninh Binh pulled one back through striker Geovane Magno in the 74th minute but could not find an equaliser.
Brazilian Dos Santos, a naturalised player for Harimau Malaya since 2023, was a key figure throughout the campaign, anchoring the midfield with his movement and passing range.
In the cup run, he featured in three matches, contributing a goal and three assists.
He also registered a goal and an assist across 16 league appearances as the club finished fifth in the Vietnamese top flight.
For Dos Santos, the triumph carried a weight beyond the final scoreline.
“This is a very important trophy for the club,” he said.
“After more than 20 years, we’re champions again. I’m happy to be a part of this history.”
The 31-year-old, who spent seven seasons in Malaysia before making the move to Vietnam, said the switch had reinvigorated his career.
“I needed to challenge myself a bit more, so I decided to leave. In two years here I managed to become champion and take the club to the Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup.”
