Nghe An Newspaper Cup 2019: Will TN Que Phong be the dark horse of the tournament?

The spirit of urgent training of the Que Phong youth players. Photo: Ho Phuong

Up to now, the youth and children's football team of Que Phong district has never once touched the gold cup of the Youth Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper. In particular, there have been many years when the players of the land of yellow tea flowers had to say goodbye to the tournament early because of the disastrous defeats against strong opponents. Therefore, from the mentality of the competition to the investment in the players, Que Phong has always considered themselves as "the underdog". They consider the early elimination from the Youth Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup as a normal thing.

However, in recent years, the players' spirit has been somewhat encouraged by the high achievements of the youth players participating in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup tournament in 2017. In that year, the Que Phong district youth excellently eliminated Thai Hoa on penalties in the quarter-finals and then for the first time in history reached the semi-finals of the tournament.

Recalling that time, Mr. Nguyen Van Sau, coach of Que Phong youth team, who has been leading the team to competitions for more than 15 years, proudly said: “In 2017, with a fairly even squad, along with a number of outstanding individuals, the players created a "unique" earthquake in the history of Que Phong district youth team, as well as this dramatic tournament, which was reaching the semi-finals.

Que Phong youth aims for a successful tournament. Photo: Ho Phuong

Following its predecessor, the central stadium of Que Phong district in the last days of May is busier than ever. The players and the coaching staff of Que Phong district are urgently preparing to "set off" down the mountain to compete.

For nearly a month now, the youth soccer team has been practicing at a very high intensity, almost every day the young warriors are on the field, regardless of the heat or the rain.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Long, one of the two coaches assigned to train the players, shared that thanks to the care and support of the parents, the training work of the team's management board has been very favorable. Not only that, with the high intensity of training and strict adherence to the training plan, we are confident of a positive result in this year's tournament.

The Que Phong youth players are determined to create an "earthquake" in the fiery pan of Vinh city. Photo: Ho Phuong

"If we put the strength of the teams on the scale, we dare not, however, with the spirit of competition and training efforts, the young Que Phong still hopes to be the team that causes many surprises in this year's tournament."

Nguyen Dinh Long, Que Phong youth coach

All preparations have been completed. Photo: Ho Phuong