The dream journey of the U13 Champion Song Lam Nghe An

Asserting power

From the past to the present, Song Lam Nghe An has always been considered the cradle of youth football training in the country. In youth tournaments organized by the Vietnam Football Federation, this team is always considered a candidate for the championship. Notably, before the 2023 National Youth Football Tournament took place, U13 Song Lam Nghe An held the record with 9 championships. Of which, 5 consecutive times recently, they stood on the highest podium of this tournament. Therefore, when entering the qualifying round of the 2023 National U13 Tournament, the name U13 Song Lam Nghe An always makes opponents wary.

In the qualifying round, U13 Song Lam Nghe An is in Group D with U13 Binh Dinh, U13 Hoang Anh Gia Lai, U13 Hong Linh Ha Tinh, U13 Khanh Hoa. The general feeling of the teams when facing U13 Nghe An is just hoping for a draw. Therefore, they often enter the match with a defensive, concrete style of play. However, with superior strength, U13 Song Lam Nghe An had no difficulty penetrating the opponent's defense.

Specifically, in the qualifying round of the 2023 National Youth Football Tournament, U13 Song Lam Nghe An had a dream opening match when they created a rain of goals against U13 Binh Dinh. At the end of the match, U13 Nghe An won overwhelmingly 10-0. The only team that made coach Le Manh Huy's students share points in the qualifying round was U13 Hong Linh Ha Tinh, the team that reached the final of this year's season. In that match,U13 Song Lam Nghe Ancompletely dominated the game, creating many opportunities in front of the opponent's goal, but Nghe An's defense lost focus at some points, so the final result of the match was 3-3. However, in the final match, they easily defeated Khanh Hoa with a score of 7-0 to hold the top position in Group D, winning a ticket to the final round of the National Youth Football Tournament in 2023.

Setting an "unprecedented" record

In the final round, the reigning U13 Champion Song Lam Nghe An was in the same group with Dak Lak, Tay Ninh and SHB Da Nang. This is a fairly easy group for coach Le Manh Huy's students. Therefore, when entering each match in this group, the Nghe An strikers always have the mindset of being the stronger team and they often enter the field with the goal of winning.

In the opening match of the 2023 National Youth Football Championship finals, U13 Song Lam Nghe An faced U13 Dak Lak. Although the team from the Central Highlands actively played a crowded defense, coach Le Manh Huy's students had no difficulty finding a way into the team's goal, thereby winning with a score of 6-0.

In the second match, U13 Song Lam Nghe An continued to dominate U13 Tay Ninh. Bui Van Tu's double and Pham Nguyen Tuan Anh's goal helped the young team from Nghe An win 3-0.

In the final round of matches in the group stage, U13 Song Lam Nghe An only needed a draw against Da Nang to automatically take first place in Group B and secure a ticket to the quarter-finals. However, coach Le Manh Huy's players still entered the match with the desire to win. And this team had a convincing match, thereby holding the leading position in Group B.

It was thought that when entering the Quarterfinals, according to the knockout format, U13 Song Lam Nghe An would have more difficulty finding a way into the opponent's goal. Because opponents often study this team's playing style very carefully and find ways to overcome it. However, the Nghe An strikers proved their superior class when crushing U13 Hai Duong with a score of 7-0.

That scenario continued to be repeated in the Semi-final match, although U13 Binh Duong did not hesitate to use almost the entire team for defensive duties, U13 Song Lam Nghe An showed their sharpness in finding a way into the opponent's goal. And with an all-out attacking style, U13 Binh Duong could not stand firm against the reigning Champion. U13 Song Lam Nghe An continued to win with a big score of 4-0.

Entering the final match of the 2023 National U13 tournament, U13 Song Lam Nghe An will face U13 Hong Linh Ha Tinh. This is considered the Nghe Tinh Derby, promising to bring a lot of drama to the audience. Because U13 Hong Linh Ha Tinh also had a very successful season. They have proven their strength, when overcoming a series of very strong opponents. Especially U13 Hoang Anh Gia Lai in the Semi-final to be present in the most important match of the tournament.

And as expected, U13 Song Lam Nghe An encountered many difficulties against this neighboring team. The goal of U13 Hong Linh Ha Tinh was to draw to find a lucky penalty shootout. The Hong mountain team proactively played low, at times up to 9 players gathered in front of the penalty area to prevent U13 Song Lam Nghe An from penetrating. That made U13 Song Lam Nghe An unable to find the opponent's net in the first half. Only when the second half started, with the determination to win at all costs in the two regular halves, the Nghe An strikers pushed up their formation, pressing right on the U13 Hong Linh Ha Tinh field.

Under the terrible pressure of U13 Song Lam Nghe An, U13 Hong Linh Ha Tinh could not stand firm. Striker Bui Van Tu brought home the only goal of the match, helping U13 Song Lam Nghe An successfully defend the National Youth Football Championship title in 2023. And with this coronation, U13 Song Lam Nghe An is holding the record with 10 times reaching the highest position of the National U13 tournament.

“The players had an impressive tournament, winning convincingly in all matches, scoring 24 goals and conceding none. In addition, they always entered the field with a positive attitude, wanting to contribute beautiful matches for the fans. This generation of players also has many promising faces. I believe that if they are properly trained, they will become talented strikers in the future.”

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Nghia - Deputy General Director of Song Lam Nghe An Sports Joint Stock Company, Director of Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center

U13 Song Lam Nghe An has gone through a memorable journey at the 2023 National U13 Championship. This year's championship that coach Le Manh Huy and his team achieved is the result of many factors. In particular, the Nghe An players have always upheld discipline, solidarity, overcome difficulties and always followed the tactics set by the coaching staff. U13 Song Lam Nghe An has set an "unprecedented" record and is worthy of the pride of Nghe An fans./.