Tuong Duong Children's Team: Trying to enter the quarter-finals of the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth-Children Football Tournament

On weekends, although the early summer sun began to shine brightly and harshly, the players of the District Children's TeamXiangyangwent to the training ground quite early. All eyes were on the Youth - Children Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup - "football festival" for children to be held in early June.

Tuong Duong Football Team practices on artificial turf. Photo: Dinh Tuan

In the middle of the artificial turf, the players were engrossed in the short and long passes and the technical dribbling. Especially the ability to sweep and try to overcome the opponent's defense to gain the advantage and find scoring opportunities. Because the players in the highland border area have been trained every day since childhood by crossing passes and climbing slopes, they have a certain advantage in health and agility.

According to coach Nguyen Duc Thang, although socio-economic conditions are still difficult compared to lowland districts, many children in Tuong Duong are still passionate about football and have the need.practiceregularly. To meet some of the demand, in the past months, the District Culture - Sports and Communication Center has opened training classes for the children with a schedule of 4 sessions/week, on Saturdays and Sundays.

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang talks with young players before practice. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Young players are given attention in physical training. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Therefore, when receiving the plan to organize the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament in 2022, the unit was not passive, because it had a core team of players who had been practicing regularly for a long time. After that, we continued to go to schools and hamlets in the area to select more talented children to supplement, aiming to build a fairly even and complete team between the lines.

Nowadays, on a normal day, theyoung playersstill go to school, only practice football on weekends. When the school year program ends, they will be trained every day to both strengthen and develop the inherent qualities of a player, and create cohesion among the whole team to create collective strength.

Practicing kicking technique. Photo: Dinh Tuan

And the goalkeeper's reflexes. Photo: Dinh Tuan

“At present, the children are focusing on physical training and getting acquainted with some techniques. Because the standard of living in the remote district of Tuong Duong is lower than in other areas, their physique and physical strength are somewhat limited. There are not many training grounds, so there are no conditions to demonstrate their qualities.techniqueTherefore, physical strength and technique are the factors that are given top priority,” said coach Nguyen Duc Thang.

Being able to practice together, the players were really excited, almost not feeling tired, everyone wanted to win a place to go to Vinh city to compete with their peers in the districts, cities and towns in the province. In particular, there was a player named Vang Nha Dam in Tam Dinh commune, 20 km from the district center, whose family members took turns taking him to the training ground.

The joy of the players of the Tuong Duong Youth Football Team when they can practice and prepare for the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang added: "The goal of this year's tournament is to give the children the opportunity to exchange, learn and compete, creating a premise and gradually building a foundation forYouth Teamin the following years. And if there is a chance and a bit of luck, I will try to reach the quarter-finals”./.