Off the pitch: The "attraction" of idols

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they completely forgot about the opening ceremony.

This afternoon (June 8th), at the Opening CeremonyFootball LeagueIn the Nghệ An Newspaper and Radio & Television Cup for Youth and Children, amidst a perfect and professional scenario, there was a "hilarious yet awkward" moment involving two young players from the Cửa Lò Children's team.

While their teammates were lining up and entering the field, the two young players, Nguyen Dinh Nhat Long and Nguyen Thanh An, were still huddled together in a corner. They were so engrossed that when the MC called out their team's name and the rest of the group had already walked a considerable distance, the two boys suddenly realized they had been left behind.

Knowing they were "offside," without a hint of embarrassment, Nhat Long and Thanh An happily grinned and ran into the line to get into the stands. Witnessing this adorable scene, the audience couldn't help but laugh with delight at the innocence of the young players. Who knows what "secret" tactics the two Cua Lo strategists were discussing at that moment to make things difficult for their opponents this year?

"Obsession"" under the name "children"

While coaches struggle with tactics on the pitch, off the field they face another equally challenging problem: the mischievousness and hyperactivity of young players, especially children.

During the days of the Nghe An Newspaper and Radio & Television Cup Youth and Children's Football Tournament, most teams from distant areas were accommodated in a hotel. For many players, this was their first time away from home, staying with friends in a completely new environment. And from there, a series of hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking stories began to emerge, causing parents to break out in a sweat.

One parent shared: "The kids were playing around, teasing each other, running from room to room. On the very first night, the young players even broke the hotel bed."

Parents of the Que Phong team expressed their sympathy:The children here are the same. They're playing and making so much noise that the hotel owner had to come up and threaten to kick them out and move them to another hotel. However, the situation hasn't improved completely. In just over a day, all the hotel window curtains have already torn.

With his extensive management experience, Mr. Lang Van Dung - the father of player Lang Tuan Dat from the Quy Chau Children's team - said:"A characteristic of children their age is their hyperactivity and mischievousness – this is unavoidable."Many children are coming down for the first time.The streets are full of strange and exciting things to explore. From the roads...The facilities, elevators, and modern equipment all pique the children's curiosity. Therefore, in addition to their professional duties, the coaches and caregivers also have to take on the role of 'babysitters,' closely monitoring the children almost 24/7 to ensure they have a fun and safe season."

Nevertheless, behind those stories that cause headaches for adults lies the characteristic innocence of school-age children. For many young players, the tournament is not just about the matches, but also about their first time living away from home, becoming more independent, and creating unforgettable memories with their peers.

The "attraction" of idols

One of the most memorable experiences for the young players this season was the opportunity to meet their idols.

On the afternoon of June 8th, when the Song Lam Nghe An players appeared at the training ground after the opening ceremony of the tournament, striker Michael Olaha and his teammates were almost "surrounded" by special fans from the Nghe An Newspaper and Radio & Television Cup.

Upon spotting their idols, the young players quickly borrowed their parents' phones to take photos, holding out jerseys and pens to ask for autographs. But the professional players could barely move because of the overwhelming and adorable crowd of fans. Every face lit up with excitement at receiving an autograph or a commemorative photo.

When asked if they would wash the signed jerseys of their idols, some of the young players looked at each other and laughed."I still need to wash it so I can play in the upcoming matches, but I'll try to wash it gently to prevent the ink from fading.""A player said cheerfully."

Earlier, on the evening of June 7th, when invited by the organizers to watch the match between Song Lam Nghe An and Public Security for free, a young player from the Que Phong team gave his coach and parents a scare when he was so busy chasing after his idol Michael Olaha to get his autograph that he got separated from his teammates for several minutes.

This shows just how passionate and enthusiastic our young players are about football!

He's not just a teacher, he's also a father!

The youth's football field is not just filled with resounding joy. In another corner of the opening day, reporters' cameras captured a heartwarming image, a beautiful story about family, proving that behind these "young warriors" there is always a strong support system like family.

Before the Duc Chau Commune Youth Team's match against the Yen Thanh Commune Youth Team, right at that moment...Opening CeremonyDuring the match, Captain Nguyen Quoc Tan (12 years old) of the Duc Chau Youth team suddenly experienced health problems. Seeing his young student's face pale and his steps unsteady due to sunstroke, coach Le Hong Chung immediately noticed and helped Quoc Tan out of the ranks, taking him to the shadiest area to rest.

Sharing his thoughts with us, teacher Le Hong Chung said while fanning his students:"It's probably because the weather is so hot today. The air conditioning was nice and cool in the car, but as soon as they got out and were exposed to the intense sun, the children experienced a sudden change in temperature and consequently got seasick."sunny".

On the training field, the coach may be strict, but when the children are exhausted, he is their warmest support. The Duc Chau commune football team is not simply a team competing in a tournament, but a small family – where the father always extends his arms to protect and care for his children, from their physical health to their mental well-being, before each match.

The coach's attentive care helped player Quoc Tan recover quickly so he could join his teammates in the match against Yen Thanh Youth Village. Regardless of the outcome, with Duc Chau as his "home," the spirit of love and teamwork will always "win."