Strong candidates for the 2022 National U21 Youth Championship

1.Nutifood JMG Academy

One of the candidates for the championship of this year's tournament is U21 Nutifood JMG Academy, the current champion of the 2021 National U21 tournament. And right in the qualifying round, the young players of coach Guillaume Graechen proved their superior strength when they won all 4 matches, scored 20 goals and only conceded 4 goals, topping Group D.

Striker Nguyen Quoc Viet (Nutifood JMG Academy) is the top scorer of the 2021 National U21 tournament. Photo: VFF

In the U21 Nutifood JMG Academy squad, there are very prominent names such as conductor Hoang Vinh Nguyen, Nguyen Thanh Khoi and especially the "king of youth tournaments" striker Nguyen Quoc Viet. In 4 matches in the qualifying round, this young striker scored in all 4 matches, scoring 8 goals.

With a squad of many excellent players, led by experienced coach Guillaume Graechen, U21 Nutifood JMG Academy will be the leading candidate for the title of Champion of the 2022 National Youth U21 Tournament.

2.U21 Hanoi Club

This is also one of the teams with very good results in the national U21 tournament in recent years. Last year, it was the Hanoi U21 club who won the runner-up position after a 0-1 defeat to Nutifood JMG Academy.

Striker Nguyen Van Tung is an excellent striker of the Hanoi U21 club. Photo: VFF

In the qualifying round, Hanoi U21 club did not play really well when they only ranked 2nd in group A with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. However, coach Pham Minh Duc's team will still be a strong candidate for the championship when possessing manyoutstanding individualin the squad such as goalkeeper Quang Van Chuan, defender Vu Tien Long and striker Nguyen Van Tung... These are all key players of the Vietnamese youth teams. With the experience of coach Pham Minh Duc, the U21 Hanoi club will know what to do to compete for the championship with other teams.

3.U21 Song Lam Nghe An

As one of the two hosts of the tournament,U21 Song Lam Nghe Anwill certainly be highly appreciated in this tournament. Especially after coach Nguyen Van Tien's team won the Gold medal in men's football at the 2022 National Sports Festival. And in fact, the U21 Song Lam Nghe An squad is quite high quality with outstanding faces such as defender Ho Khac Luong, Ho Van Cuong, midfielder Tran Manh Quynh, Tran Nam Hai, or U20 Vietnam player Dinh Xuan Tien. Besides, playing at home with the enthusiastic cheers of the home crowd, U21 Song Lam Nghe An will be greatly strengthened in the race for the championship.

Dinh Xuan Tien is the hope of the host U21 Song Lam Nghe An. Photo: VFF

In the first time hosting the tournament, the coaching staff and players of U21 Song Lam Nghe An will be determined to keep the cup in their hometown, thereby ending a successful season of youth football in Nghe An.

4.U21 Viettel club

Possessing many excellent young players, it is not surprising that Viettel Club U21 topped Group A of the qualifying round with a record of 3 wins and 2 draws. Coach Nguyen Thanh Hai's students won against Hanoi Club U21 with a score of 3-0, Pho Hien U21 with a score of 1-0 and Hai Phong U21 with a score of 5-2.

With players who have made their names known in youth tournaments such as goalkeeper Doan Huy Hoang, defender Phan Tuan Tai, Nguyen Hong Phuc, midfielder Nguyen Van Tu... Viettel Club U21 will certainly be a tough opponent in the race to win the 2022 Thanh Nien National U21 Championship.

5.U21 Hoang Anh Gia Lai

Winning all 4 qualifying matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding only 2, U21 Hoang Anh Gia Lai is proving to be one of the championship candidates of this year's tournament. Coach Huynh Van Anh's team also owns many notable players such as central defender Van Trieu, midfielders Duc Viet, Nhi Khang, Hoang Tu, Huu Phuoc. Especially young striker Vu Minh Hieu who has scored 5 goals after 3 qualifying matches. Bringing to the tournament with their best players, U21 Hoang Anh Gia Lai is determined to bring home the national U21 championship trophy for the second time after the first championship in 2017.

U21 Hoang Anh Gia Lai will still be a championship candidate with an even squad. Photo: Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club.

In addition to the above championship candidates, U21 Becamex Binh Duong, U21 Dong A Thanh Hoa and U21 Dong Thap are ready to be the "dark horses" creating interesting surprises for the tournament.