U17 SLNA's championship journey at the 2020 National U17 Finals
Trung Kien - September 28, 2020 09:23
(Baonghean.vn) - Before reaching the final match against U17 Nutifood Academy, U17 SLNA had gone through a difficult and challenging journey. However, coach Le Ky Phuong and his team demonstrated the mettle of the team that has won the championship 7 times in this tournament.
This year's SLNA U17 team has received high expectations from home fans because the team is led by experienced and talented coaches such as Le Ky Phuong, Pham Van Quyen, Le Van Hung... The young SLNA players participating in this tournament were mainly born in 2003 and 2004, and are players who have continuously won the championship in the U13 and U15 age groups. Among them, there are also players who were added from the SLNA U19 team and are the pillars of the team such as captain Nguyen Van Bach and Dinh Xuan Tien.
In the qualifying round, U17 SLNA was in the same group with opponents Thanh Hoa, SHB Da Nang, Quang Nam and Thua Thien - Hue. Although only playing 6 matches, U17 SLNA had 5 wins, 1 draw, ranking first in group B with 16 points. Standing in 2nd place in group B was Thanh Hoa with 14 points (4 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss). This result brought U17 SLNA and U17 Thanh Hoa into the final round.
SLNA U17 squad in 2020. Photo: TK
In the group stage, U17 SLNA's chances became wider when their opponents were Phu Yen, Saigon and Nutifood Academy. However, it was only after each match that U17 SLNA's playing style gradually improved and reached its peak form. In the opening match, U17 SLNA came from behind to defeat Saigon 3-1 with goals from Dinh Xuan Tien, Pham Ngoc Dung and Nguyen Van Bach.
When meeting Phu Yen, Coach Ky Phuong's students also won with a similar scenario. The players who scored, bringing a convincing 4-1 comeback for the young team from Nghe An were Nguyen Cong Huy, Dinh Xuan Tien, Tran Dinh Thanh and Ho Van Cuong.
Coach Le Ky Phuong's students are getting better as they go deeper into the tournament. Photo: TK
With the first 2 victories, U17 SLNA quickly won a ticket to the semi-finals with U17 Nutifood. That is why in the 3rd match of Group B, U17 SLNA was not interested in winning the top spot. Instead, U17 SLNA started with a reserve team and lost to Nutifood Academy with a score of 2-4.
The highlight of this match was the improvement in the final minutes when the main players were put on the field one after another. Among them, Ngo Van Bac and Nguyen Van Bach were the players who shortened the gap.
Coach Le Ky Phuong and his team lifted the precious championship. Photo: TK
Entering the semi-final match against host PVF, U17 SLNA continued to show their experience in the way they entered the match. Throughout the match, U17 SLNA applied a defensive counter-attacking style of play. This was a match in which neither side created enough pressure to score the first goal. However, in the nerve-wracking penalty shootout, better preparation and bravery helped U17 SLNA win 4-1. In which, goalkeeper Nguyen Canh Tiep had an excellent interception.
In the final match, U17 SLNA truly revealed its strength by leading Nutifood 3-0 with a double from Ho Van Cuong and Dinh Xuan Tien. The opponent's two equalizers only made the final match more dramatic. Closing the 2020 National U17 Finals, the Nghe An team also won the style award. The titles of best player and best goalkeeper both belonged to U17 SLNA.
(Baonghean.vn) - After defeating U17 PVF in a penalty shootout, coach Le Ky Phuong and his team have officially entered the final match of the 2020 National U17 Championship. Nghe An football fans are expecting Dinh Xuan Tien and his teammates to bring the 8th Championship Cup of the tournament for the U17 age group to SLNA's trophy room.
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