Young stars of the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Children's age group 2022 season

"Little Squirrel" Nguyen Sinh Loi - "Goal Hunter" for Phu Dien Children's School

"Little Squirrel" Nguyen Sinh Loi (blue and white shirt) is always a bridge "formidable" opponent of the opponents. Photo: Duc Anh

Born into a small trading family in Dien Kim commune (Dien Chau), Nguyen Sinh Loi has an endless passion for football. Seeing his passion for football, when he was in 4th grade, Loi's parents let him join a gifted football class opened in Dien Chau district. With talent and passion and a good guide, Loi quickly joined the game and became a promising player in this gifted class. Catching the eye of Mr. Luong Vinh Phuc - Head Coach of Dien Chau Children's Football Team, with his speed and good shooting ability, he was placed in the position of winger.

At the 2022 Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children's Football Tournament, Nguyen Sinh Loi excellently scored 10 goals against the opponent, helping Dien Chau Children advance to the final and win the runner-up position.

In the first match against Nhi Dong Ky Son, Nguyen Sinh Loi scored 3 consecutive goals in the 18th, 19th, and 20th minutes of the first half, making a hat-trick to help Nhi Dong Dien Chau take a 3-goal lead. In the second half, this player continued to score a goal that "hit" the opponent's net, contributing to Nhi Dong Dien Chau's 8-star victory over the mountain town team.

With 10 goals scored throughout the season, Nguyen Sinh Loi was honored as the "Top scorer" of the Children's age group of the Nghe An Newspaper Cup 2022 season. Photo: Duc Anh

In the match against Nhi Dong Nam Dan, Nguyen Sinh Loi also scored 2 excellent goals, bringing a 4-1 victory for Nhi Dong Dien Chau. In the match for a ticket to the quarter-finals, this small player also had 2 accurate shots, bringing victory to the Phu Dien team. In the quarter-final match against Yen Thanh team, number 3 Nguyen Sinh Loi was injured and had to leave the field early, so this key player did not score any goals for Nhi Dong Dien Chau.

In particular, in the fierce and competitive match in the semi-finals, the small player wearing the number 3 shirt, Nguyen Sinh Loi, scored 2 excellent goals, contributing to the 4-2 victory over Nhi Dong Quy Hop and winning the right to enter the final.

"Goal hunter" Nguyen Sinh Loi (left) on the field. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In the final match, although they regretfully lost to Nhi Dong Tan Ky, Nhi Dong Dien Chau had a very brave match and won the runner-up position. In this match, Nguyen Sinh Loi continued to show his role as the "shooter" of Nhi Dong Dien Chau.

With his outstanding contributions and 12 goals, Nguyen Sinh Loi, number 3 of Dien Chau Children's Club, excellently won the title of "Top scorer" this season.

Number 1, Pham Gia Bao - the extraordinary "goalkeeper" of Tan Ky Children's School

Goalkeeper Pham Gia Bao - Nhi Dong Tan Ky celebrates with teammates. Photo: Thanh Cuong

On the journey to the championship this season, Nhi Dong Tan Ky only conceded 1 goal with 6 wins. This achievement is considered "unique" in the Youth Football - Children's Cup Nghe An Newspaper seasons. To have this "undefeated" achievement of Nhi Dong Tan Ky, we must mention the excellent contribution of goalkeeper Pham Gia Bao.

Born into a family of farming parents in Tan Huong commune (Tan Ky), passionate about football, despite difficult circumstances, the family still created conditions for Pham Gia Bao to participate in the amateur class of Song Lam Nghe An Club held in Tan Ky district. Joining the Tan Ky Children's Team to participate in the Youth - Children's Football Tournament Nghe An Newspaper Cup, because the house was far away, Bao's parents took turns driving him there and back. During busy season days, Bao would hitchhike with other parents. Despite many obstacles, Bao never missed a practice session and was rarely late.

"Golden Glove" Pham Gia Bao in joy when Tan Ky Children won the Golden Cup of the season. Photo: Duc Anh

During the training process, Bao was also very serious and disciplined. Coach Mai Thai Uy of Tan Ky Children's Team said: "Realizing that Pham Gia Bao has the qualities of agility, good physical strength, and the ability to judge and catch the ball accurately, we chose him for this position. He has tried very hard to excellently complete the assigned role."

In the first match against Hung Nguyen Children's School, goalkeeper Pham Gia Bao was excellent when he successfully blocked many dangerous balls that the opposing players threatened the goal. When the second half was in the middle, after a strong collision with the opponent's ball, goalkeeper Pham Gia Bao was injured and had to call an ambulance. At this time, the coaching staff of Tan Ky Children's School was very confused and somewhat "out of breath" when forced to choose a replacement goalkeeper.

Fortunately, Bao quickly recovered, and in the next match, in the encounter with Nhi Dong Con Cuong, although considered the "upper hand", Tan Ky's goal was shaken many times. In many situations, because of being absorbed in attacking and eager for victory, Tan Ky's defenders rushed forward to attack, the vast space in front of the goal created opportunities for the opponent to counterattack, but with the "steel shield" Pham Gia Bao, the whole team had a solid foundation to play with peace of mind. In this match, Nhi Dong Tan Ky won with a score of 6-0.

With the excellence of goalkeeper Pham Gia Bao, throughout the season, the Tan Ky Children's team only conceded 1 goal against Nam Dan Children's Team in the Quarterfinals. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Leaving the strongest impression was in the semi-final match against an opponent considered to be “equally matched” Nhi Dong Do Luong, goalkeeper Pham Gia Bao once again demonstrated the mettle of a “goalkeeper”. In this intense, fierce match, the two teams played an open game, the game was evenly matched, and there were many dangerous situations that caused trouble for Nhi Dong Tan Ky’s goal. However, with the excellence of “golden glove” Pham Gia Bao, Tan Ky still kept a clean sheet, winning 2-0 against Nhi Dong Do Luong to enter the final.

In the championship match, goalkeeper Pham Gia Bao made excellent saves from the opponent, continuously saving the home team and becoming a spiritual support for his teammates to advance, winning against Dien Chau Children's Football Club, stepping up to the podium of glory, adding the prestigious Gold Cup to Tan Ky Children's Football Club. At the end of the season, after 6 matches, Pham Gia Bao only conceded 1 goal, and was voted by experts as "Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament".

No. 7, Pham Van Anh - "pure gold" of Tan Ky Children's School

Number 7, Pham Van Anh of Tan Ky Children's Football Club with a "divine" header. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Small stature, quiet and somewhat shy is the first impression of young player Pham Van Anh, striker of Nhi Dong Tan Ky. However, on the field, in matches, Pham Van Anh "transforms" into a completely different person: Aggressive, agile, dedicated and has endurance.

The title of “Best Player of the Season” in the children’s age group concluded the memorable journey and successful competition of number 7 Pham Van Anh. This is a well-deserved reward for this player as he had an excellent performance in the past season. In this year’s tournament, Pham Van Anh was always in the mainstay position of the team, playing all the matches and competing from start to finish without a single minute of rest. In 6 matches, Pham Van Anh scored 5 goals to “open the way” to help the home team reach the pinnacle of glory.

The joy of victory of Tan Ky young players. Photo: Duc Anh

Not only that, Pham Van Anh is also a player with beautiful passes, precise dribbling, creating opportunities for other players of the home team to score. In necessary situations, this striker retreats to become a defender, covering for his teammates, creating a solid "wall" for the home team.

Commenting on Pham Van Anh, Mr. Le Van Hung - Coach of U15 Song Lam Nghe An, Head of the Referee Team said: “Pham Van Anh is the “golden 10” of Nhi Dong Tan Ky. I highly appreciate his agility, flexibility, skillful technique and intelligent playing style. In particular, this young player has a maturity beyond his age, that is, he does not become too individualistic because of his desire for the ball. In him, the team spirit and cooperation are very high. In ball situations, when he sees that his teammates have a better opportunity, he will pass the ball so that his teammates can finish the shot.”

Pham Van Anh in a ball dispute. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Born into a farming family, living far from Lat town, but because he had a passion for football, since he was in 2nd grade, Pham Van Anh was sent by his parents to attend the district's gifted football class. Every day, his parents took turns taking him to and from school. When he heard that he was honored as "Best Player of the Season", Pham Van Anh was very happy and moved. He said: "I would like to send this joy to my parents who have worked hard for me, taking me to practice every day on their old motorbike. This is also a gift I want to send to the teacher who I consider my father and friend, Coach Mai Thai Uy, who has guided, instructed, and always taken care of and stood by me. This is also the reward I received from my friends - the young players in the Tan Ky Children's Football Team who accompanied me to the final destination of the tournament. My dream is to become a professional player."