Vietnam U19 discovers some promising factors before Southeast Asian tournament; Arsenal legend passes away

U19 Vietnam discovers some promising players before Southeast Asian tournament

Before entering the U19 Southeast Asia 2024 and the U20 Asia 2025 qualifiers, U19 Vietnam participated in an international friendly tournament in China. The team played 3 matches against strong opponents such as U19 China, U19 Korea and U19 Uzbekistan. In all 3 matches, U19 Vietnam only lost by a narrow margin to their opponents. More importantly, the young players have accumulated international competition experience and demonstrated their receptiveness and promising tactical thinking.

It should be added that U19 Vietnam participated in the tournament with a less than optimal force. Some players born in 2005 and 2006 are still playing with their home clubs in the Second Division, First Division and to some extent the V.League. Some other cases such as Long Vu and Cong Phuong can only concentrate close to the time the team leaves.

However, in their first participation in an international tournament, the U19 Vietnam players also showed their potential. One example is central defender Nguyen Ngoc Chien of Binh Duong. This is a versatile player who can play from central defender to midfielder. Even in the trial by coach Hua Hien Vinh, Ngoc Chien fulfilled the task of playing central midfielder in the 4-2-3-1 formation of U19 Vietnam. Accordingly, Ngoc Chien is 1m80 tall, possesses strength, thinking, and quick tactical understanding. Similarly, central midfielder Quang Dung also showed his potential. Some other players such as Dang Khoa (Hue), Kha Duc, Nhac Minh (Ba Ria Vung Tau) also demonstrated their abilities when participating in this tournament.

After completing their international experience, U19 Vietnam will have a 2-week break. On June 25, the team will regroup to prepare for the U19 Southeast Asian Championship. Based on their performance, U19 Vietnam will have more confidence heading into the tournament in Indonesia.

Huynh Nhu received an offer to continue playing in Europe.

After completing his contract with Lank FC, Huynh Nhu returned to Vietnam to rest after the 2023/2024 season. However, the striker born in 1991 confirmed that he has not made a final decision about his future. The reason is because the player from Tra Vinh has received many transfer offers.

According to VTC News, Huynh Nhu has just received another invitation from Europe. Therefore, she and her agent are still considering whether to stay in the old continent for another year or stay in Vietnam to compete. Huynh Nhu is 33 years old and does not have much time left to compete at the top level, so she thinks very carefully before deciding.

In Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City I and Thai Nguyen T&T are ready to "roll out the red carpet" to have the service of the star born in 1991. Recently, the head coach of Ho Chi Minh City I Club - Ms. Doan Thi Kim Chi was present at Tan Son Nhat airport to welcome Huynh Nhu. However, this is not a guarantee for a successful transfer because Thai Nguyen T&T is willing to spend a lot of money.

The Northern representative wants to spend more than 1 billion VND to convince the captain of the Vietnamese women's team to sign a 2-year contract. This is a record amount for a female player.

Huynh Nhu's future will greatly affect the situation of the 2024 national women's football championship. Thai Nguyen Club is currently ranked 3rd, with 14 points and 5 points behind the leading team, Ho Chi Minh City I.

If Huynh Nhu is in the squad, Coach Doan Viet Trieu will be more confident in his goal of surpassing Hanoi I or even Ho Chi Minh City I. This coach has many other stars such as Bich Thuy, Kim Thanh, Tran Thi Thu, My Anh or Minh Chuyen.

In the last 2 seasons, Huynh Nhu scored 10 goals for Lank FC. She made a great contribution to help the team finish 6th last season. This season, Lank FC successfully escaped the narrow door and stayed in the league. Huynh Nhu made a great contribution when she had a beautiful assist for her teammate to score the only goal to help Lank FC defeat Amora with a score of 1-0 in the second leg of the play-off.

Arsenal legend, Rooney's former teammate passes away

Arsenal and Everton legend Kevin Campbell passed away on June 15 at the age of 54 after a short hospital stay.

Information about the passing of the player born in 1970 was confirmed by Arsenal through the announcement: "We are very saddened to learn that our beloved former striker Kevin Campbell has passed away after a short illness.

He was much loved by everyone at the club. We send our condolences to his family at this difficult time.

"Rest in peace Kevin"

Legend Campbell made a name for himself after breaking into the Arsenal first team in 1988.

He made 213 appearances for Arsenal between 1988 and 1995, scoring 59 goals in all competitions.

During his time at the Gunners, he won the English First Division (currently the Premier League), FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup.

After spells in Nottingham and Türkiye, he made 137 appearances for Everton, scoring a further 39 goals and playing alongside youngster Wayne Rooney.

Legend Campbell once played with former player Rooney in Everton shirt.

At Everton, he became the club's first black captain.

Campbell played for the Toffees from 1999 to 2005, then played for West Brom and Cardiff City, before retiring in 2007.

During a career spanning two decades, the late striker Campbell scored 149 goals and made 521 appearances in professional tournaments.

He holds the record for most goals scored in the Premier League despite not playing for England.

The late legend's son Tyrese, 24, has played 146 games for Stoke City since 2018 but is yet to have his contract extended.

Barca prodigy makes EURO history

Lamine Yamal shined in Spain's 3-0 victory over Croatia in Group B of EURO 2024 on the evening of June 15.

At 16 years and 338 days old, Lamine Yamal was in the starting lineup in his first EURO 2024 appearance. He set a record as the youngest player to appear in the tournament's history.

The Barcelona prodigy also became the youngest goal assister in EURO history. Yamal made a perfect pass for Dani Carvajal to tap the ball into the Croatian net in the 45+2 minute.

According to statistics from Opta, Yamal had 5 tackles, successfully completed 3 out of 4 dribbles (second most in the match), created 3 scoring opportunities (most), had 3 shots (most) and had 1 assist.

Revealing the bonus structure at EURO 2024

Following approval by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) executive committee last December, the total prize money for teams participating in EURO 2024 will be €331m (£282.87m) - the same as at EURO 2020.

The 24 nations that have successfully qualified for EURO 2024 automatically receive €9.25m (£7.93m), ahead of the football party in Germany.

Each team will receive €1m (£860,000) for a group stage win and €500,000 (£429,000) for a draw, while there is no bonus for a loss. Therefore, the minimum a country can earn is €9.25m (their participation bonus) if they fail to win all three group stage matches.

Each nation that reaches the last 16 will receive €1.5m (£1.29m) and the prize money for progressing further into the tournament will increase with each round.

Quarter-finalists will receive €2.5m (£2.14m) and semi-finalists will receive €4m (£3.43m), while the winners of EURO 2024 will receive €8m (£6.86m). The losing finalists will walk away with €5m (£4.29m).

The maximum amount a country could earn from EURO 2024 is €28.25m (£24.23m) if they win all their games en route to the title.

Mai Anh