Journey to the Golden Cup of Quynh Luu Youth Team

In the history of the Youth - Children Football Tournament of Nghe An Newspaper Cup,Quynh Luuis also always a strong candidate for the championship in each participation. This team has won the Gold Cup many times and many other times "if not second then third".

In the first match of the group stage, the Quynh Luu youth team (in blue shirts) had a resounding victory over the Que Phong youth team. Photo: Duc Anh

Entering the 25th season of the Nghe An Newspaper Cup, Quynh Luu has made very careful preparations for the youth football team. The district's youth football officials have gone down to 33 communes and towns to coordinate with localities and schools to select talented players to join the team. The youth team has been thoroughly trained from physical strength to technique and tactics before participating in the tournament. Before the tournament, Mr. Nguyen Van Ky - Director of the Center for Culture - Sports and Communication of Quynh Luu district shared the goal: "Quynh Luu aims for the championship in the Newspaper Cup".

Defeating Hung Nguyen youth team in the second round, Quynh Luu youth team quickly won a ticket to the semi-finals. Photo: Duc Anh

In the 25th Youth - Children Football Tournament of Nghe An Newspaper Cup, 2023, Quynh Luu youth team is in group B. The group has the presence of youth football teams Que Phong, Hung Nguyen and TX. Hoang Mai...

This is a relatively difficult group as the Que Phong youth team is the “dark horse” of recent seasons, having won the Bronze Medal twice. The Hung Nguyen youth team and the Hoang Mai TX youth team are also the “cradle” of Nghe An football and have been the two strong teams of the tournament for the past 24 years.

In the final match of the group stage, Quynh Luu youth team won against Hoang Mai TX youth team and topped group B. Photo: Duc Anh

The group was “tough”, however, when entering the tournament, the Quynh Luu youth team showed their superior strength and courage. In the first match against the Que Phong youth team, although they conceded the first goal, the Quynh Luu youth team played calmly and deployed their tactics well. In the end, the Quynh Luu youth team had a resounding victory over their opponent with a score of 8-1.

In the second match, against the strong Hung Nguyen youth team, the Quynh Luu youth team rushed to attack as soon as the opening whistle sounded and scored an early goal in the 7th minute. With the lead, the Quynh Luu youth team took the initiative to play solidly, waiting for the opponent to make a mistake to attack. The second goal of the Quynh Luu youth team came from such a counter-attack situation. Winning the match 2-0, with 6 points after 2 matches, the Quynh Luu youth team quickly won a ticket to the semi-finals.

In the semi-final of the tournament, the Quynh Luu youth team defeated the Yen Thanh youth team with a score of 5-3 in the penalty shootout. Photo: Duc Anh

In the final match of the group stage, the Quynh Luu youth team competed with its "brother" TX. Hoang Mai. In the Quynh beach derby, although they did not use all their strength, the Quynh Luu youth team still won against the Hoang Mai TX youth team with a score of 5-4. Winning all 3 group stage matches, the Quynh Luu youth team got 9 points, ranking first in group B.

Quynh Luu's coaching staff and football fans were happy when their team reached the final. Photo: Duc Anh

In the semi-finals of the tournament, the Quynh Luu youth team met the Yen Thanh youth team - a fateful opponent and also a candidate for the championship of every tournament.

Both teams were assessed by experts as “equally matched”. The developments in the match proved this when neither team had an absolute advantage. With a 0-0 draw in the first 2 halves, both teams went into a penalty shootout. On the penalty spot, the Quynh Luu youth team showed more courage than their opponents when they succeeded in all 5 shots. The Yen Thanh youth team failed in the second shot.

In the final match, Quynh Luu youth team quickly took the lead over Vinh city youth team. Photo: Duc Anh

The Quynh Luu youth team’s opponent in the season final is the Vinh city youth team – the tournament’s record holder with 14 championships. However, over the past 9 years, the Vinh city youth team has not been successful. This season, the Vinh city youth team is very strong, with great determination to regain glory.

Players and coaches of Quynh Luu youth team in joy of victory. Photo: Duc Anh

When the final whistle blew, coach Duong Vu Phong's students rushed to attack, creating an overwhelming position against the Vinh City youth team. The Quynh Luu youth team quickly scored 2 goals in the 3rd and 10th minutes of the match thanks to players Le Van Nguyen and Nguyen Dinh Thuong. With the lead, the Quynh Luu youth team proactively played tight defense and counterattacked quickly.

Winning all matches, Quynh Luu youth team convincingly won the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Championship in 2023. Photo: Duc Anh

Not willing to give up, the Vinh City Youth Team launched a strong attack. In the second half, the Vinh City Youth Team scored 2 goals thanks to Nguyen Manh Phu and Ho Viet Manh, leveling the score at 2-2. At this point, the champion's spirit spoke up. The Quynh Luu Youth Team changed their playing style, returning to a fiery attack and scored the 3rd goal thanks to Dang Van Truong.

Leaders of Nghe An province, the Organizing Committee and sponsors presented the Gold Cup to the Quynh Luu youth team. Photo: Duc Anh

Winning 3-2 against Vinh city youth team, Quynh Luu youth team convincingly won the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Championship in 2023.