Yen Thanh young players practice hard to prepare for the Youth - Children Football Cup Nghe An Newspaper

Eat and sleep with the ball

At 3:00 p.m., when the summer sun was still intense, the Yen Thanh young players gathered at the Hoa Thanh commune football field to start practicing. Since the summer break, the frequency of practice has increased, the skill lessons have gradually become more demanding, however, the children have not missed a single session, partly because of their passion for the round ball and above all, they want to have the most thorough preparation, both physically and technically, to be ready to participate in the 26th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament.

Having just rested after more than an hour of practice, Luong Van The Anh - a player of the Yen Thanh Youth Team, was drenched in sweat, his hair was matted, however, his smile was still bright, dispelling all the fatigue. The Anh shared: When I heard the news that I was selected for the district team to participate in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup, I was very happy because this is a big tournament, many of my idols such as Phan Van Duc, Pham Xuan Manh... have also grown up from this tournament. I will be determined to practice, make an effort in each match to bring achievements to my district.

Observing his students compete, coach Vu Duc Quyet - Yen Thanh youth team coach always pays close attention to each player to know their strengths, weaknesses, playing mindset and personal techniques, thereby coming up with reasonable tactics as well as suitable playing positions on the field, promoting the players' qualities.

Mr. Quyet shared: To prepare well for this year's tournament, teachers and students of Yen Thanh district gathered earlier than previous years. However, this year's training and coaching work is a bit different from previous years due to some changes in the tournament's regulations, we have to adapt and find suitable solutions. Regarding the force, the students are mainly selected from communes and community gifted classes, there are no players returning from professional "furnaces".

“According to preliminary assessments, this year’s players are physically and technically weaker than last year’s. However, in return, they are very obedient, highly disciplined, quick to learn, and strictly follow the tactical lessons the teacher requires. Some outstanding individuals are the hope of the team such as Thien Nhan, Huu Hoa, Ngoc Bao, The Anh… Many players, despite living dozens of kilometers away, still come on time when there is a practice schedule, which is very encouraging,” added Mr. Quyet.

If in previous years, teachers and students of Yen Thanh district often practiced on the artificial turf field of Phan Dang Luu High School, this year, the main practice location has moved to Hoa Thanh commune stadium, which is a natural grass field. Sharing about this issue, Mr. Quyet said: Hoa Thanh commune is located near the center, the distance to the practice field for the students will be closer, less difficult, especially on hot summer days. Besides, we also want the students to get used to the natural grass field in the right space, so that they will not be surprised when entering the tournament.

Coach Nguyen Duc Nhan - coach of Yen Thanh Children's Team shared: This year, due to the change in the age of the players, the selection and screening of the players in the localities also took more time. The criteria for joining the team, in addition to football skills, must also have a spirit of dedication, diligence, serious training, and compliance with team discipline. Currently, the Children's team has been preliminarily formed and is ready to participate in the tournament with the highest determination.

It is known that since the children officially started their summer vacation, the Yen Thanh Youth and Children's teams have increased their training frequency. About a week before the tournament, the teachers and students of the Yen Thanh team will practice "closed" together, the children do not return home but eat, sleep, and live right at the team to prepare for the competition.

Strong rear

Yen Thanh is a team with a rich tradition in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup. During the 26 years the tournament has been held, Yen Thanh district has never been absent, although there were years when conditions did not allow it, and only 1 team could participate. With beautiful and dedicated attacking play, Yen Thanh's young players always make their opponents wary every time they enter the tournament.

Not only possessing a talented group of players, the rice-farming team also made an impression with the attention and investment in the sports movement. According to the reporter's records, every time the team gathered to practice, there were always many parents of the players coming to watch and cheer, creating a solid support for the players to confidently enter this important tournament.

As soon as she saw her child taking a break, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue in Hau Thanh commune immediately came to bring water, wipe her sweat, and help her during the hot days. Ms. Hue said: Hearing that her child was selected to join the Yen Thanh district team to compete in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup, the whole family was very happy because this is a big tournament, prestigious for decades. Whenever the newspaper coach has a practice schedule, no matter how busy, the father or mother arranges their work to take their child to compete with them, bringing glory to their homeland.

Mr. Ho Huu Cuong, the grandfather of player Ho Hoang Bao in Vien Thanh commune, could not hide his joy: The whole family has a passion for the king sport. When we heard that our son was selected for the national team, the family held a party to celebrate. My grandfather also volunteered to take his son to practice every day. Seeing our son satisfy his passion for playing football, and playing for his hometown, we are very touched and proud and will always stand by our children in the next season.

Over the years, Yen Thanh district has always been a strong competitor in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament. The Yen Thanh Children's age group won the championship twice in a row in 2011 and 2012, and 2018 was a year of great success for Yen Thanh football when the team won the "Double Championship" of both the Children's and Youth age groups at the Nghe An Newspaper Cup. This is a proud achievement and not easy to achieve in this competitive tournament. This year, the rice-land team will be determined in every match, striving to bring medals home.