Funny stories from the sidelines of the Nghe An Newspaper Cup.

Yes, strong, strong.

The match between Vinh City Youth Team and Nam Dan Youth Team this morning was quite intense, as it was the decisive match for a place in the semi-finals. Therefore, all tactics were employed by the coaches.

Overwhelmed with tension as his team trailed 1-0, the coach of the Vinh City Youth team kept shouting, "Push forward!" and "Mark them tightly!" But the players still couldn't score. Frustrated, the coach yelled, "You're not strong or decisive at all!" It wasn't until the 49th minute, when player number 7, Tran Minh Hoang, scored the equalizer, marking the end of the match, that the players gathered around the coach and asked, "Why, coach? Everyone said we were strong!" At this point, the coach finally smiled and said, "Well, strong, strong."

A football match between TN TP. Vinh and TN Nam Đàn. Photo: QA

As long as you win, it doesn't matter who scores the goal.

With the goal of securing the top spot in the group, not only did the players give their all, but the fans of Vinh City also mobilized their full support. Just when everyone was about to give up as the match was nearing its end, a brilliant play from a home team player equalized the score at 1-1. The joy was indescribable, as this meant TN Vinh City earned 7 points, topped Group A, and secured a place in the semi-finals.

The cheers were indescribable, some people even cried with joy, but then suddenly someone asked, "Who scored that goal?" and nobody knew.

Even if we lose, we still get killed.

Despite knowing they would be eliminated after the match against TN Hung Nguyen, having yet to earn any points, the TN Thanh Chuong players still played their hearts out. In the final minute of the match, player number 8, Nguyen Tuan Phong, still managed to score a consolation goal for the team, narrowing the final score between TN Hung Nguyen and TN Thanh Chuong to 4-1.

With their victory over TN Thanh Chương, TN Hưng Nguyên earned 6 points, securing second place in Group A and advancing to the semi-finals along with TN TP.Vinh. Meanwhile, TN Thanh Chương had to leave disappointed, with many players sadly apologizing. One player innocently asked his mother, "Mom, if we lose, will we get to eat duck?", to which his mother replied, "If we lose, we'll eat duck," causing everyone present to burst into laughter.

Young players always receive special attention. Photo: QA

Wow, I haven't been eliminated yet?

That was the innocent remark of a player from Hung Nguyen Youth Team when he came to cheer on the Hung Nguyen Youth Team this morning. The story is that, encouraged by his older teammates in the Youth Team, the younger brother bravely joined the Youth Team, with the reward being a trip to Cua Lo for the two brothers after the match.

But because they lost all their matches, Hung Nguyen Youth Team had to leave the tournament early, while Hung Nguyen Youth Team, having defeated Thanh Chuong Youth Team, earned 6 points, securing second place in Group A and advancing to the semi-finals along with Vinh City Youth Team. Therefore, the old man was so anxious that he pressed his brother, "Wow, we haven't been eliminated yet?"

The Hung Nguyen Youth Team greets their seniors in the Hung Nguyen Junior Team. Photo: QA

"Press the button where I'm going to put this bag."

“I know your face, turn the camera,” “Press the share button on the left,” “Press the button I’m showing you when you’re done…” The phone calls from the inbox blared as Mr. Hoa, a supporter of the Do Luong Youth team, held his phone to film the match between Do Luong Youth and Quynh Luu Youth. The person on the other end shouted, and he tried to follow the instructions, much to the annoyance of those nearby: “Tell her to open the Nghe An Newspaper,” “Open the newspaper and watch it…” Leaning forward to follow the running of a small, slender player, Mr. Hoa explained, “That won’t work, they’re filming everywhere, I told her not to take my eyes off the little guy.”