Quynh Luu Youth was crowned Champion of the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament

Leaders of Nghe An province, the Organizing Committee and sponsors presented flowers to the two teams and the referee team before the match. Photo: Duc Anh

Delegates and a large audience came to watch the season final. Photo: Pham Bang

The final match of the Youth age group, the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament - 2023 is a competition between the Vinh City Youth and Quynh Luu Youth teams. These are two strong teams, having won the championship many times during the 24 seasons of the Newspaper Cup.

Entering the 25th season, Vinh City Youth Team is in group A. Vinh City Youth Team drew with Yen Thanh Youth Team in the opening match; won against Ky Son, Cua Lo and Do Luong Youth Teams; topped group A.

Quynh Luu Youth Team is in group B. In the group stage, Quynh Luu Youth Team won all the matches against Que Phong, Hung Nguyen and Hoang Mai Youth Teams; topping group B.

Entering the match, both teams quickly launched their attacks. Photo: Duc Anh

In the semi-finals, Vinh City Youth Team defeated Hoang Mai Youth Team in a penalty shootout. Quynh Luu Youth Team defeated Yen Thanh Youth Team in a similar scenario.

Entering the match, both teams quickly launched their attacks. In the 3rd minute of the match, player number 10 Le Van Nguyen of Quynh Luu Youth Team entered the penalty area, received a favorable pass from his teammate, calmly kicked the ball into the top corner of the opponent's goal, opening the score.

Coach and players of Quynh Luu Youth Team celebrate the opening goal. Photo: Duc Anh

With the lead, Quynh Luu Youth Team played very smoothly, creating many dangerous opportunities to threaten the Vinh City Youth Team's goal. In the 10th minute of the match, Quynh Luu Youth Team scored the second goal. The scorer was player number 4 Nguyen Dinh Thuong with a tricky free kick from outside the penalty area.

Conceding two goals quite early, Vinh City Youth Team was not discouraged; they tried to stabilize their formation; organized many dangerous attacks that threatened the opponent's goal... At this time, Quynh Luu Youth Team proactively played slowly and steadily, waiting for the opponent to make a mistake to counterattack.

The first half ended, Quynh Luu Youth Team temporarily led Vinh City Youth Team with a score of 2-0.

In the second half, the Vinh City Youth Team tried to push up their formation, increase pressure, and look for a goal to shorten the score. Photo: Duc Anh

In the second half, Quynh Luu Youth Team continued with a tight defense and quick counterattacks. Vinh City Youth Team tried to push up the formation, increase pressure, and look for a goal to shorten the score.

In the 30th minute of the match, the Quynh Luu Youth Team defender let the ball touch his hand in the penalty area. The Vinh City Youth Team was awarded a penalty. On the penalty spot, player number 7 Nguyen Manh Phu of the Vinh City Youth Team calmly fooled the opposing team's goalkeeper, scoring a goal to shorten the score to 1-2.

Excited about having scored a goal to reduce the score, Vinh City Youth Team launched a strong attack. In the 32nd minute of the match, Vinh City Youth Team scored an equalizer 2-2. From the left wing, player number 2 Nguyen Quang Sang made an accurate cross-wing pass for player number 6 Ho Viet Manh to run in and cushion the ball into the opponent's net.

Quynh Luu Youth Team players rejoice with the victory. Photo: Duc Anh

Being tied, Quynh Luu Youth Team was forced to change their playing style, playing an open game with the other team. In the 37th minute of the match, Quynh Luu Youth Team scored a goal to raise the score to 3-2. The scorer was player number 9 Dang Van Truong. Dang Van Truong's goal was a beautiful long shot from the right wing.

Not accepting defeat, Vinh City Youth Team continued to focus all their efforts on attacking. Quynh Luu Youth Team returned to their style of playing tight defense and quick counterattacks.

The score of 3-2 was maintained until the end of the match. Winning against Vinh City Youth Team, Quynh Luu Youth Team was crowned Champion of the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Championship, 2023./.

Thanh Chung - Duc Anh