Song Lam Nghe An and its quiet transformation in 2023
(Baonghean.vn) - Looking back at 2023, Nghe An football did not stand out with achievements, high rankings or championship records, but this was a year with many changes and important steps of construction and preparation towards a more solid and systematic development stage.
Focus on youth training
In 2023, Song Lam Nghe An continues to focus on youth training. In particular, the input work is given special attention by the Board of Directors of the Youth Training Center, especially the work of checking the records and age of athletes. With the support of the authorities, all young talents joining the "furnace" of Song Lam Nghe An are confirmed by the Judicial Department and go through a rigorous selection process. This is an important key to help athletes develop in accordance with their age.
In 2023, Song Lam Nghe An only won one championship in the U13 age group, but in the U15, U19 and U21 tournaments, the Nghe An team all participated in the finals, the U9, U11 and U17 teams won Bronze Medals. In a period when training centers across the country are investing heavily and making a lot of progress, while facing many difficulties in disbursing funds for youth training, this is a great effort by the Club, sponsors and the province.
Signing a nutrition consulting contract with the Japanese company - NIKKOKUTRUST is a correct decision of the leaders of Song Lam Nghe An. Improving, adjusting and enhancing the quality and nutrition of meals for athletes is an important factor to help young players develop better in terms of physique, fitness, and strength in training and competition. After a period of work, in early 2024, young athletes of Song Lam Nghe An will begin to get used to new eating and living habits.
At the national U17 team level participating in the U17 Asian Cup, Song Lam Nghe An contributed a series of talented faces such as goalkeeper Bao Ngoc, center back Phan Van Thanh, midfielder Le Dinh Long Vu, Pham Nguyen Quoc Trung. Players such as Nguyen Van Tam, Nguyen Trong Tuan, Bui Thanh Duc, Phung Van Nam are also in the plan of coach Hoang Anh Tuan.
In the championship of U23 Vietnam at the U23 Southeast Asia tournament, Song Lam Nghe An had the contribution of many players such as goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet, players Tran Nam Hai, Le Nguyen Hoang, Dinh Xuan Tien and Le Dinh Long Vu. In the journey to win tickets to the U23 Asian Finals, there were also contributions from these faces. And in the championship of SEA Games 32 were Ho Van Cuong and Dinh Xuan Tien. Recently, in the training session to prepare for the U23 Asian Finals, Tran Manh Quynh and goalkeeper Cao Van Binh were also present.
In the 2023/24 season, Song Lam Nghe An also showed a plan to develop young talents to prepare for the future with specific actions. Although the VFF's requirement for registering young players aged 16-22 in the V.League is a minimum of 3, Song Lam Nghe An has 11 players aged U22 registered and most of them are trusted to have the opportunity to play. There are still shortcomings of young players in competition, but over time, their experiences in 2023 are very important and valuable.
Development of cooperation and trade
In 2023, Song Lam Nghe An will continue to receive the support of major brands. Among them, Grand Sport and Eurosun will continue to extend their contracts with the Nghe An team. Song Lam Nghe An Club also welcomes two new sponsors, Nikkokutrust Vietnam and Starbalm (Sports Medicine). The attention to nutrition and medicine in sports shows a serious investment in the health of players.
Also in the past year, Song Lam Nghe An has worked and officially signed a cooperation agreement with Mito Hollyhock Club. In this cooperation program, Mito Hollyhock will provide consulting and support in building a management system and managing the team in the direction of improving the professional capacity of the departments. In the future, it will aim to help Song Lam Nghe An complete its organizational structure according to the model of a Japanese football club, not only being autonomous in the field of football expertise but also independent in the ability to operate the team and attract and diversify funding sources for the club.
At the same time, the cooperation between Song Lam Nghe An and Mito Hollyhock will continue to expand in youth training and club linkage, sharing and development, promoting the club's image. From there, seek more new cooperation and sponsorship opportunities, contributing to helping Song Lam Nghe An develop sustainably and long-term, in a professional direction.
In addition to Mito Hollyhock, a leading football team in Japan, Tokyo FC, has also sent representatives to work in Vietnam. Tokyo FC's goal when coming to Song Lam Nghe An is to combine training and searching for Song Lam Nghe An talents to play football in the top environment of J.League 1 in the future - something that Thai football has been very successful in recent years, helping Vietnamese players reach new heights.
Recently, Song Lam Nghe An has expanded its relationships and successfully sent U17 players to Japan for a short-term training session. U12 Song Lam Nghe An players also had a useful and successful tournament in Hunan Province, China. It is expected that in the next few months, another Song Lam Nghe An youth team will leave for a youth friendly tournament in China.
Also related to youth football, in addition to expanding international cooperation and exchange, Song Lam Nghe An, together with Nghe An Newspaper and the Department of Culture and Sports, successfully organized the 25th Youth and Children's Football Tournament of Nghe An Newspaper Cup - a useful playground for young talents in the province. At the same time, maintaining the grassroots gifted football tournament, aiming to evaluate the training quality of 25 gifted classes in districts, cities and towns.
In V.League 2023, Song Lam Nghe An only finished in 9th place and is currently ranked 10th on the rankings, but with internal preparations and efforts to improve and enhance training quality, it is hoped that young talents of Song Lam Nghe An will soon mature. From there, gradually improve the club's achievements and continue to contribute at the national team level in the coming years.