Off the pitch: First experiences
The support of family, the experiences, and the beautiful spirit of sportsmanship created memorable moments outside of the matches at the 2026 Nghe An Newspaper and Radio & Television Cup Youth and Children's Football Tournament.
Special young audience
On the morning of August 8th, in the Gymnasium - where the youth football matches were held.childThere were two very special spectators: an 18-month-old "little spectator" sitting quietly in his grandfather's arms, intently watching the ball roll on the field.
The man carrying the "little spectator" was Mr. Nguyen Sac Than (73 years old), from Vinh Phu ward. Choosing a less crowded spot in the stands opposite the entrance, Mr. Than brought along a hand fan, some snacks, and a bottle of water to "serve" his grandson throughout the match. Occasionally, when the audience applauded after a beautiful play, the boy would curiously look towards the field and smile with delight. Mr. Than, meanwhile, hardly missed a single moment of the children's matches taking place.
"I'm passionate about sports and have enjoyed watching this tournament for many years. Because it takes place during the day, it's convenient for me to travel, and I come to watch every year. Watching the children compete is a lot of fun; they're young but they play with great enthusiasm, innocence, and dedication," Mr. Than shared.
This year, juggling the "duty" of babysitting and fulfilling his passion, he brought his grandson along to cheer on the team. Throughout the trip, the boy was very well-behaved, happily eating snacks and drinking water. When reporters took photos, he readily cooperated and posed very "professionally." The love of football is found in such simple things, from the grandfather's embrace to the curious gaze of his young grandson.
Restless sleep
After the draw with the Quynh Anh Youth team, the Quynh Phu Youth players quickly gathered in small groups to chat on the field. Interestingly, the topic that excited them the most wasn't the play that had just taken place, but rather... their sleep the previous night.
For many of the young players from Quynh Phu Children's Football Club, this was their first time away from home to participate in a major tournament. Staying in the hotel with their teammates and participating in group activities with their teachers was a special experience that made many of them so excited that they couldn't sleep. They chatted animatedly; some talked about how the air conditioning was too cold at night and they had to use blankets. Others tossed and turned because they were in unfamiliar surroundings. Some couldn't sleep at all because they kept thinking about the match the next morning…
Among them, Tran Duy Hoang is a "special case". After a strenuous match, player Duy Hoang suffered a minor leg injury.
Seeing his mother's worried expression, Duy Hoang honestly replied, "I only managed to fall asleep around midnight. Then at 3 a.m., I woke up automatically and couldn't fall back asleep because I was so nervous and anxious!"
For adults, a sleepless night is not a pleasant experience. But for young players participating in the tournament for the first time, it's a beautiful memory. Because besides the matches, they are gaining their first experiences of independence and the exciting days away from home that come with childhood.
The color bluecompanionship
During the match between Yen Thanh Children's team and Thanh Vinh Children's team this morning, one section of the stands stood out with its uniform blue color. Many of the Yen Thanh Children's team's supporters wore identical shirts, matching the color of the young players' uniforms.
The reason for this uniformity is that before the tournament started, the fans unanimously contributed funds to have custom-made uniforms. The blue color matched the players' outfits as a way to affirm their solidarity and boost the confidence and strength of the young players as they stepped onto the field. Indeed, throughout the match, the stands of the "blue fans" were incredibly lively with cheers and applause.
When the final whistle blew, signaling a 1-0 victory for Thanh Vinh Children's team, several players couldn't hide their disappointment. As the team gathered together, coach Vu Duc Quyet gently encouraged them: "That's how it is in football; there are wins and losses. You all played very well today, it's just a pity you lacked a little luck. We shouldn't be sad, but rather see this as motivation to try harder in the next matches!"
After words of encouragement from Coach Vu Duc Quyet, the disappointment on the players' faces gradually gave way to smiles. The way the coach gently shared with his students was similar to the unwavering support that parents gave to the team from the stands. From the blue shirts they prepared themselves to the continuous applause, everything created a blue of belief and unity. For the young players,lessonIn terms of solidarity, optimism, and the ability to bounce back after defeat, these qualities are sometimes more valuable than a victory.
