Cà Mau Football Club (Vietnamese: Câu lạc bộ bóng đá Cà Mau) was a Vietnamese football club based in Cà Mau City, Cà Mau Province. The club was founded in 2006 and spent most of its history competing in the Vietnamese Second Division.
The club's most notable achievement was earning promotion to the V.League 2 in 2015. However, following a tumultuous 2016 season marked by financial difficulties and subsequent relegation, the club competed for one final season in the Second Division before dissolving in 2018.
History
Second Division period (2006–2014) Founded in 2006, Cà Mau Football Club spent the majority of its history competing in the Vietnamese Second Division. Despite frequently finishing in the top 3 of their group (in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, and 2014), the team was unable to secure promotion during this period.
Promotion to V.League 2 (2015) In the 2015 Second Division season, Cà Mau finished second in Group B, earning a spot in the promotion play-off final. In the play-off match on July 3, 2015, at Nha Trang Stadium, Cà Mau faced Bình Định. After conceding a goal in the 73rd minute, Nguyễn Thanh Lợi equalized for Cà Mau in the 80th minute, forcing the match to a penalty shoot-out. Cà Mau won 4–2 on penalties, securing promotion to the V.League 2 (Vietnamese First Division) for the first time in their history.
Withdrawal controversy and 2016 season The club's promotion was immediately jeopardized by financial issues. On October 20, 2015, the Cà Mau Sports Center sent an official letter to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) requesting to withdraw from the 2016 V.League 2 due to a lack of funding (estimated 5-12 billion VND required). The VFF considered promoting Bình Định (the team Cà Mau had defeated in the play-off) as their replacement.
However, in November 2015, after reportedly securing a sponsor, Cà Mau reversed their decision and requested to be reinstated. Following intervention from VPF chairman Võ Quốc Thắng, the VFF approved Cà Mau's participation in December 2015, conditional on the club upgrading Cà Mau Stadium (at a cost of 4.6 billion VND). The club also appointed former national player Trần Công Minh as head coach.
The 2016 V.League 2 season was disastrous for Cà Mau. The financial situation remained dire, with the club falling behind on salary and bonus payments. Players reportedly received only 200,000 VND per day for food before matches. The team's performance suffered, managing only one win the entire season (against Đắk Lắk in the first round). They endured heavy defeats, including a 0–7 loss to TP.HCM and a 0–8 loss to Viettel. Cà Mau finished last in the table with 8 points (1 win, 5 draws, 12 losses) and were relegated back to the Second Division.
Dissolution (2017–2018) The team played its final season in the 2017 Second Division, finishing 7th out of 8 teams in Group B, avoiding relegation.
However, in 2018, the club was officially dissolved due to a persistent lack of funding. Their spot in the 2018 Second Division was transferred to Sanatech Khánh Hòa (later renamed Fishan Khánh Hòa).
Stadium The club's home ground was Cà Mau Stadium, located in Cà Mau City. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 6,000 spectators. To meet the requirements for competing in the 2016 V.League 2, the stadium underwent a 4.6 billion VND renovation and upgrade in late 2015.
2016 season squad Squad for the 2016 V.League 2 season.
League history Season League Position Outcome Notes 2017 Second Division 7th, Group B Safe Final season 2016 V.League 2 10th Relegated 2015 Second Division 2nd, Group B Won Play-off Promoted to V.League 2 2014 Second Division 3rd, Group D Safe 2013 Second Division 3rd, Group C Safe 2012 Second Division 2nd, Group C Safe 2011 Second Division 3rd, Group C Safe 2010 Second Division 3rd, Group C Safe 2009 Second Division 4th, Group C Safe 2008 Second Division 2nd, Group C Safe 2007 2007 Second Division 2nd, Group C Safe 2006 2006 Second Division 2nd, Group C Safe
Other achievements Tien Giang Television Cup (THTG Cup): Runners-up (1): 2013 Group stage (1): 2012
Sponsorship 2007–2008: Khatoco
Managerial history Dương Hữu Cường (2014?–2015) Trần Công Minh (Dec 2015–2016) Lai Hồng Vân (2016 – Technical Director)
References