Off the pitch: 'Facing a strong team isn't scary, what I fear most is the coach making me eat three bowls of rice.'

The coaches of Thanh Chuong Children's team are diligently taking care of the players. Photo: Thanh Phuc

"Eat heartily, three bowls at each meal..."

During the competition daysNghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children's Football TournamentThe Thanh Chuong Junior Football Players receive attentive and thorough care from their coaches, from meals to sleep. Each meal, in addition to delicious food according to the players' standards, also includes fruit and yogurt.

In particular, every meal was closely monitored by the coaches, who insisted that each player eat three bowls of rice. "Eat heartily, three bowls at each meal, eat plenty of food. 'You can't do anything on an empty stomach.' If you don't eat, you'll be in trouble when you play." At home, being a picky eater, player number 10 Dinh La Thang sighed: "I'm not afraid of facing strong teams, but what I fear most is the coaches making me eat three bowls of rice."

Drums with leather drums and marching drums.

The impressive drum ensemble of the Dien Chau Children's Team. Photo: Thanh Phuc

A large and enthusiastic crowd cheered on the Dien Chau Children's team in this morning's quarter-final match. Besides the familiar faces of mothers and older sisters in the stadium, there was also a large group of young children of all ages, from kindergarten to elementary and middle school, in the stands. They wore headbands, carried drums, and held drumsticks; the mothers even brought along colorful vuvuzela horns.

Whenever the home team launches a fierce attack or the goalkeeper catches the ball, the lively sounds of the drums and gongs resound continuously, along with the boisterous and urging sound of the trumpets. And when the home team falters or loses momentum, the drums, trumpets, applause, and cheers continue without interruption. Because, for the mothers, "Just making it to the provincial tournament is already a great achievement."

Defeating opponents to reach the quarterfinals is already amazing. And, kids, at an age where you know how to eat, sleep, and study well, playing with all your might and giving it your all like this is already top-notch. So winning or losing is no longer the issue!

"Lullaby fills us with sorrow."

The sadness and tearful expressions of the young Nam Dan players. Photo: Thanh Phuc

After a 3-0 defeat against Tan Ky Children's Team, Nam Dan Children's Team was eliminated from the tournament with regret. Unwilling to accept "the truth," the players from Uncle Ho's hometown burst into tears. Parents hugged and comforted them in every way possible, offering all sorts of snacks their children liked. But the sadness did not subside. Tears flowed, along with regret and a sense of melancholy.

"Who would cry over a loss? Save your tears for next year when we win and we can cry in celebration. But today, you all did well. We were playing against the reigning champions, so there's nothing to regret about losing," the Nam Dan team coach comforted his players.

Thanh Phuc