After a tense penalty shootout, the Hoang Mai Town Children's team emerged victorious in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup.

The final match of the Children's age group in the 26th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children's Football Tournament 2024 is a rematch between the Quy Hop District Children's team and the Hoang Mai Town Children's team. In this year's tournament, both teams were in Group B. In the group stage match, the Quy Hop District Children's team won against the Hoang Mai Town Children's team with a score of 3-0, securing first place in the group. The Hoang Mai Town Children's team finished second in Group B.

For the Quy Hop District Children's Team, winning the gold cup in the children's age group has been a long-held dream. In the 2023 season, they missed out on the gold cup after losing 1-3 to the Tan Ky District Children's Team in the final. In the 2024 season, the Quy Hop District Children's Team successfully "avenged" their defeat by winning against the Tan Ky District Children's Team in the quarterfinals.

Similarly, the Hoang Mai Town Children's team is also eager to replicate their achievement from the 2017 season. In that season, the Hoang Mai Town Children's team won the championship after a convincing 2-1 victory over the Tan Ky District Children's team.

Entering the match, the Hoang Mai Town Children's team employed an early offensive strategy. And they reaped the rewards in the very second minute. After a beautiful attacking combination, the ball was threaded into the penalty area of ​​the Quy Hop District Children's team. Player number 2, Le Thac Hoang Duy – the captain of the Hoang Mai Town Children's team – raced down the wing and skillfully finished, scoring the opening goal of the match.

Having taken the lead, the Hoang Mai Town Children's team played with fluidity, constantly launching attacks and putting pressure on their opponents. The Quy Hop District Children's team, on the other hand, were psychologically tense and played with heavy legs.

In the 7th minute of the match, the score was increased to 2-0. Player number 7, Dau Duy Quoc Viet of the Hoang Mai Town Children's team, dribbled the ball, broke through the center, and faced goalkeeper Bui Nhat Duy of the Quy Hop District Children's team. Bui Nhat Duy managed to block Dau Duy Quoc Viet's shot but was helpless against the rebound shot by Le Thac Hoang Duy immediately afterwards.

Having conceded two quick goals, the Quy Hop District Children's team finally woke up, playing with renewed effort and gradually regaining control of the game. The Hoang Mai Town Children's team then switched to a tight defensive strategy with quick counter-attacks. Defender number 5, Le Duong An, was a steel shield in front of the Hoang Mai Town Children's team's goal.

In the final minute of the first half, the Quy Hop District Children's team scored a goal to reduce the deficit to 1-2. Player number 4, Cao The Ngoc, dribbled the ball, broke through down the right flank, and unexpectedly unleashed a long-range diagonal shot, scoring a valuable goal for his team.

Entering the second half, both teams actively launched attacking moves with the goal of scoring more goals. The Quy Hop District Children's team and the Hoang Mai Town Children's team both had good opportunities but failed to capitalize on them.

In the 25th minute of the match, the Quy Hop District Children's team scored the equalizer, making the score 2-2. From a throw-in on the right wing, the ball was lofted into the penalty area of ​​the Hoang Mai Town Children's team. Player number 8, Cao Hoang Nhat, positioned himself well and headed the ball skillfully into the net of the Hoang Mai Town Children's team.

With the equalizer scored, the Quỳ Hợp District Children's team, their spirits high, continuously pressed their opponents, forcing them to defend desperately. No further goals were scored in the remaining minutes of the second half. With the score tied 2-2 after regulation time, the two teams proceeded to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.

In the tense penalty shootout, the Hoang Mai Town Children's team won 3-1 and became champions of the 26th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children's Football Tournament in 2024.