Nghi Loc Children's Football Team aims to play their best and try their best in every match.

Overcoming the sadness of the "lowlands"

9 years ago, Nghi Loc district youth football was not a memorable name on the "football map" of Nghe An. When the neighboring "neighbors" such as Vinh City, Do Luong, Yen Thanh... were "big guys" who had their names on the golden board of the Youth - Children's Football Tournament many times.Nghe An Newspaper Cup- The youth football tournament has the longest history in the province; meanwhile, Nghi Loc youth football has only won the Bronze Medal once in this tournament.

However, with strong investment in developing youth football and school football,Youth and Children Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper CupFor the 19th time in 2015, Nghi Loc youth football rose up strongly, surpassed many strong teams and convincingly won the championship.

Nghi Loc Children's Team was established on the basis of screening and selecting the best young players in the locality. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

From here, Nghi Loc is no longer the "lowland" of youth football in the province but gradually becomes a "force" that makes all youth football teams in the province wary. In the Youth - Children Football Cup seasons of Nghe An Newspaper from 2016 to 2019, although they could not repeat the championship achievement, the youth football teams of Nghi Loc district all entered the top 8 strongest teams and had 3 more precious Bronze Medals.

Through the Youth - Children Football Cup Nghe An Newspaper seasons, many football talents of Nghi Loc district have caught the eye of scouts of Song Lam Nghe An Football Club. Nghi Loc young players have played outstandingly such as: Khanh Toan, Quang Vinh, Cong Dat, Anh Duc..., were signed contracts by Song Lam Nghe An Football Club, brought in for intensive training.

Since the beginning of May 2023, the team has entered a training session to prepare for the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament in 2023. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

However, the joy often does not last long. In the 24th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament in 2022, despite having high expectations - with the goal of reaching the semi-finals, the Nghi Loc Children's Football team could not get past the group stage...

Talking about the sadness of the past year, Mr. Le Trung Hieu - an officer of the Center for Culture - Sports and Communication of Nghi Loc district, coach of the Children's team said: Compared to the forces of previous years as well as the teams in the same group, Nghi Loc Children's team is somewhat weaker. The teams in the Youth - Children's Football Tournament Cup Nghe An Newspaper are all very strong. Therefore, the home team's failure to pass the group stage is a reasonable result.

The young players have been trained from basic techniques to tactics and psychology in approaching the match… Photo: Dinh Tuyen

What we have received in the 24th season in 2022 is that the young players have had more things to learn, practice and create the premise for better results in the 25th season in 2023. Along with that, the joy is that the district's youth football fans and parents always accompany, support and encourage the team to overcome the inferiority complex of failure to continue moving forward.

Towards the joy of round ball

Entering the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children's Football Tournament in 2023, Nghi Loc Children's team has prepared quite early. The team was established on the basis of screening and selecting the best young players from the gifted football classes of Song Lam Nghe An Football Club located in the district.

Practicing long shots. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

From the beginning of May 2023 until now, the Nghi Loc District Children's Team has entered a training session to prepare for the tournament. The children have been trained in many skills, tactics and psychology to approach the match... Every morning and evening, on the artificial turf fields of Nghi Loc District, the teachers and students of the children's football team are enthusiastic about exercises to improve physical strength, endurance, and hitting and defending techniques.

What is special is that outside the field, there are many parents and fans of the district's youth football team, watching every step and ball of the young players. The district's youth football fans expect the Children's team to "make a difference" this season. As for the players' parents, they just hope "their children are happy".

Mr. Ho Hai Nam accompanies his son during training and competition. Photo: Thanh Chung

Mr. Ho Hai Nam (47 years old, in Nghi Dien commune) - parent of young player Ho Xuan Viet shared: This year is the second year my child has participated in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Football Tournament. This is a very healthy, useful and interesting playground for the children. Therefore, the family is very supportive and encouraging for my child to participate in the tournament. Last year, I always accompanied my child, this year and the following years as well...

Accompanying their children, many parents still drive their children 25-30km every day to attend team training sessions, keeping up with training and coaching programs, for example, young players whose homes are far away in Nghi Thiet commune, or Nghi Van commune (close to Yen Thanh district).

This year, Nghi Loc Children's Team does not have many outstanding individuals. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Talking about the team participating in the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament in 2023, Coach Le Trung Hieu said: The strength of this year's team is only average, there are not many truly outstanding individuals. In the team, there is only 1 player signed by Song Lam Nghe An Football Club. This player is participating in the national tournament and will join the team only close to the match day.

Therefore, this year's children's team does not focus on achievements but enters the tournament with a relaxed mindset, playing their best, trying their best in each match, the further they go into the tournament, the better.

The whole team aims to play their best, try their best in every match, and get as far into the tournament as possible. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

At this time, Nghi Loc Children's Team has completed basic technical training such as kicking and volleyball. Tactical exercises are being gradually deployed. In the next few days, the team will have friendly matches with Cua Lo and Hung Nguyen teams so that the young players can get used to the competition atmosphere. Through the friendly matches, there will be more suitable adjustments in personnel and positions.

Although not focusing on the goal of achieving results, Nghi Loc football team still receives a lot of attention and support from local authorities and sectors. Mr. Phung Thanh Phuong - Director of Nghi Loc Culture - Sports and Communication Center said: The district has been creating the most favorable conditions for the children to practice and participate in the tournament. Currently, the Center has assigned specialized departments to serve the advance work, prepare food and accommodation for the players, plan transportation and travel during the tournament days... We believe that Nghi Loc Children's Football Team will compete with all their might, creating good impressions in this year's season./.