Nghia Dan aims to reach the final of the Youth-Number Football Tournament, Nghe An Newspaper Cup

The young players eagerly await

At the stadium of the Cultural, Sports and Communication Center of Nghia Dan district, despite the hot weather these days, the teachers and students of the Youth and Children's football teams are still actively practicing. From early morning, 34 players of both teams have gathered.

Young players of both teams during a training session. Photo: Minh Thai

The players of the Children's team are the outstanding faces of school football in Nghia Dan district. Overcoming the challenges and difficulties in the early days in a completely new environment, with all the honor and pride of being selected for the district team, under the dedicated guidance of the Coaching Board, the attention and creation of all conditions of the District Culture, Sports and Communication Center, the whole team focused, diligently practiced according to the lesson plan, perfected basic techniques, improved physical strength, and was ready to enter the competition day.

A player of the Children's team enthusiastically practices. Photo: MT

It is known that although the team has been training since the beginning of 2022, due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, the team has only been able to practice again since the beginning of April. At present, the whole team is racing against time to achieve the best physical strength and performance on the opening day of the qualifying round.

After the warm-up exercises, the team was divided into groups to practice tactical coordination. The "attacks" were instructed by the coaching staff to be practiced smoothly, which were small coordination in the middle, 2 wings and fixed situations. After practicing all the exercises, the children played games according to the training plan of the coaching staff to relax their bodies in preparation for new exercises.

Student Truong Tuan Huy (born 2011) in Trung Chinh hamlet, Nghia Lam commune said that, along with eagerly waiting for the opening day of the tournament, in the past few days, he and other members of the team have actively participated in training, with the goal of achieving high results.

The heat did not stop the players' training spirit. Photo: MT

Along with the Children's team, the Youth team is mostly players selected from the district's TN-ND football tournament in 2020. Although they were gathered from the end of 2021 and practiced until the Lunar New Year holiday, due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, the team was only able to gather and practice again from the beginning of April.

Nguyen Ngoc Phi (born in 2009) in Lien Tay hamlet, Nghia Son commune, said that every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoon, his parents take him to practice football at the district's Culture, Sports, and Communications Center. For him, sports, especially football, are his passion. His dream in the future is to become a good player and contribute to the Song Lam Nghe An football team that he loves.

Aiming for the Finals

The young players were engrossed in their training sessions, while the coach followed them closely to adjust each technical move. Outside the field, many parents, after dropping their children off at the field, stayed behind as regular spectators to watch the activities of both teachers and students. An eager training atmosphere was truly taking place here.

Mr. Truong Tuan Linh, whose son Truong Tuan Huy was selected to join the team for training, said: "Since he was little, Huy has been passionate about playing football. I am very happy that he was selected to join the Children's team to participate in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup. The house is about 15 km from the district, but every day I take him there and back regularly, not letting him miss any training session."

Players of two age groups take souvenir photos. Photo: MT

There is only about 1 month left until the opening day of the 24th Youth - Children Football Tournament Nghe An Cup. At the present time, along with the training efforts of the children, it is also the most "stressful" time for the coaches.

Talking to us, Coach Truong Van Minh said: “To prepare for the 24th Nghe An Newspaper Cup in 2022, although the players are still busy studying and taking exams, the coaching staff has taken the opportunity to arrange reasonably, practicing 3 sessions a week. Children are on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and teenagers are on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. After the players have summer break, we plan to increase the practice sessions, especially, in the time before the competition, we will mobilize for concentrated training, in order to promote the highest team spirit”.

The "rewards" that the Organizing Committee gives to the children after each practice session. Photo: MT

This year, the players' physique and condition are better than previous years. The coaching staff is improving the players' skills and tactics.

Mr. Luong Ba Vien, Deputy Director of the Center for Culture, Sports and Communications of Nghia Dan district, said: "We have built an early and specific training plan, assigned staff in charge to work with a high sense of responsibility, ready and proactive to compete. With the determination and competitive spirit of both teams, we believe that both teams of Nghia Dan district Youth and Children will pass the qualifying round to reach the final round of the 24th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children Football Tournament in 2022".