Nghi Loc: Determined to compete with all their might in the 2022 Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament

From the "trough" to the throne of glory

On Sunday morning, at the artificial turf field of Nguyen Duy Trinh High School, the Nghi Loc district children's football team is having an important practice session before entering the tournament.TN-ND Football TournamentNghe An Newspaper Cup2022. On the training ground, the players are enthusiastic about offensive and defensive drills and drills.

In 2022, Nghi Loc district will have a children's football team participating in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children Football Tournament. Photo: Thanh Chung

Outside the field, there were many parents and fans of the district’s youth football team watching every step and ball of the young players. All were hoping and trying to pursue the dream of “making it big” in the most prestigious youth football tournament in Nghe An.

In previous years, Nghi Loc was still the “lowland” of youth football in the province. In the 18 previous times of organizing the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament, the district’s football teams only won the Bronze Medal once… This changed when in 2015 (the 19th time), the Nghi Loc youth football team surpassed all to convincingly win the championship.

The players of Nghi Loc Children's team are all being trained at the district's gifted class. Photo: Thanh Chung

The 2015 championship has truly “awakened” Nghi Loc youth football. People strongly support the development of youth football. Talent classes have been opened. And the growing movement has also led to the teams’ achievements gradually improving.

The Nghi Loc Youth and Children Football Teams participating in the Newspaper Cup in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 were all considered “strong teams”. Although they could not repeat the championship achievement, the district’s youth football teams also reached the semi-finals of the tournaments 3 more times and won 3 more Bronze Medals.

At this time, Nghi Loc Children's Team has entered the tactical training phase with attack and defense exercises. Photo: Thanh Chung

Through the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament, many football talents of Nghi Loc district were discovered and signed contracts with Song Lam Nghe An Football Club, bringing them back for intensive training. At this time, Team 1 of Song Lam Nghe An Club has 1 player from Nghi Loc youth football team, Nguyen Ba Duc. In addition, Nghi Loc players such as Khanh Toan, Quang Vinh, Cong Dat, Anh Duc are all prominent names in the youth teams of Song Lam Nghe An Club.

It must be said that, since 2015, Nghi Loc has no longer been the "dark horse" of the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament but has gradually become a strong team that makes opponents wary and wary. And only bad luck can prevent the team from reaching the podium of glory.

Trying to continue the tradition

Coach Le Trung Hieu instructs young players on how to move. Photo: Thanh Chung

Entering the 14th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament in 2022, like other localities in the province, Nghi Loc youth football also faced many difficulties. Due to the prolonged impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, combined with the difficulties of both players and coaches, the Nghi Loc Youth Football Team could not be established and participate in the tournament. The district only has 1 Youth Football Team participating in this tournament, said Mr. Le Trung Hieu - Officer of the Nghi Loc District Culture, Sports and Communication Center, coach of the Youth Football Team.

Practice exercises on set pieces - free kicks in front of the goal. Photo: Thanh Chung

All the players of Nghi Loc FC participating in this year's tournament are players being trained in the district's gifted class. Mr. Le Trung Hieu added: In terms of strength, Nghi Loc FC is not as strong as previous years. Although the team has 4 players being monitored by Song Lam Nghe An Club, overall the quality is not high. Skilled players are small, and players with good physique do not have good technique.

Organizing competitive matches. Photo: Thanh Chung

In addition, due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, the gifted class has not been able to organize many training sessions. The young players have only practiced regularly 3 times a week in the past 2 months. At this stage, the Nghi Loc ND team has completed the basic technical training phase. Coach Le Trung Hieu is trying to convey to the children tactical training exercises, how to handle situations and additional physical training exercises.

Coach Le Trung Hieu evaluates and draws lessons for the students after the training session. Photo: Thanh Chung

Coach Le Trung Hieu shared his joy before the tournament: This year, the Organizing Committee has renewed the regulations by increasing the number of players participating in the tournament from 12 to 16. This is very encouraging because there are more players participating in the playground, a meaningful tournament in the summer. Besides, the innovation also contributes to encouraging the youth football movement; creating conditions for the district to train the next generation of players, creating momentum for next year's season.

Discussing with parents about completing the documents for the young players to participate in the Bao Cup. Photo: Thanh Chung

Revealing the team's goal, Mr. Phung Thanh Phuong - Director of Nghi Loc Culture, Sports and Communication Center said: Nghi Loc hopes that the ND team will make it to the semi-finals. However, comparing the strength with previous years and participating teams, the possible goal is to actively learn and compete; compete with all your might, try your best in each match, and get as far into the next round as possible... to maintain and continue the tradition of the past years; create the premise for next year's season.

It is known that next week, Nghi Loc Youth Football Team will contact and organize friendly matches with youth football teams from neighboring districts, cities and towns to evaluate and review their forces before entering the tournament; as well as recalculate their goals./.