On the sidelines of the field: 'I'm black because I ate duck!'

Quy Chau Children's fans comfort the players after the match ended. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Despite playing very well and trying their best against a stronger opponent, Nhi Dong Cua Lo, luck did not "smile" on Nhi Dong Pho Nui Quy Chau. In the first half of the match, they continuously pressed the field, many opportunities were created but no goals were scored. At the beginning of the second half of the match, unfortunately, Nhi Dong Quy Chau's number 11, Vi Manh Quan, in a clumsy move, kicked an own goal, opening the score for Nhi Dong Pho Bien.

Immediately after that, this player scored an equalizer, leveling the score. In the following time of the match, despite trying to break away, no goals were scored, ending the match with a 1-1 draw.

To comfort the young players, Quy Chau fans rushed in: “You played well! You got black spots because you ate duck. Da told us not to eat duck before the match.”

"Just sip to quench your thirst!"

Players limit drinking water during competition. Photo: Thanh Phuc

During the break between the two halves, the players were sweating profusely and were dehydrated, so as soon as they got on the field, they grabbed the water buckets. Some of the experienced players only took small sips, but some of them drank the bottle in one gulp to quench their thirst.

Worried that the children would drink too much and get upset stomachs and not be able to run, the teachers had to advise them: “Just sip, don’t drink. After the match is over, let them drink freely.” Not being able to quench their thirst, many children lamented: “They even control plain water.”

"Wherever you go, I will follow"

Ms. Dau Kieu Le and her son, young soccer player Doan Tuan Tu. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Leaving a special impression on the stands today was fan Dau Kieu Le from Nghi Tan ward (Cua Lo town), mother of player Doan Tuan Tu. She is both a fan and a caregiver and also follows the matches closely, directing every move on the field for her son. Sometimes “Tu, run to the sidelines”, “Tu, go low to get the ball”, “Tu, get close to the opponent”…

It turns out, she has 5 years of experience following the Cup, from her first son, Doan Phu Quy, who played for Cua Lo Children's Team at the age of 10, then moved to the Youth Team for 3 more seasons, and is now playing for Hanoi U19. This year, her second son plays for Children's Team, and she also determined that in 5 years, she will still "carry the ball with her son", "Wherever he goes, I will follow".