Song Lam Nghe An disagrees with the regulations of the 2025 Yamaha Cup National U13 Tournament
On May 31, the Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center officially sent a dispatch to the Organizing Committee of the Yamaha Cup 2025 National Youth Football Tournament (U13), expressing disagreement with some regulations of this year's tournament. The dispatch clearly stated the shortcomings in the organization, the division of competition areas and the selection of teams for the final round.
On May 23, 2025, the Yamaha Cup 2025 Organizing Committee issued Notice No. 1020/TB-LĐBĐVN to participating units. Immediately after that, Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center (under Song Lam Nghe An Sports Joint Stock Company) issued a letter of comments to the Vietnam Football Federation and related units.
One of the contents isLam River Nghe AnThe document clearly stated that there was an unreasonable distribution of teams in the regions. Specifically, Region 1 has 12 teams, Region 2 has 14 teams and Region 3 has up to 18 teams. Notably, the geographical division is unreasonable and causes difficulties in moving. For example, Luxury Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh teams - both in the North - were placed in Region 2 to compete in Dak Lak (Central Highlands). Meanwhile, Region 1 (North) only has 12 teams. The representative of Song Lam Nghe An said that this difference affects the fairness in the competition situation between regions.
In addition to the geographical issue, Song Lam Nghe An also paid special attention to the selection format for the final round. According to the current regulations, the second-placed teams will have their achievements compared to select the best team to continue. However, the competition schedule between the three regions does not take place simultaneously, raising concerns about the possibility of match-fixing or lack of transparency in the late matches. This is believed to create an information advantage for the teams competing later, leading to a lack of fairness and transparency in the results.
In the document, Song Lam Nghe An made a number of specific proposals. Regarding the number of teams in each region, as the tournament is approaching, the unit requested the Organizing Committee to take note to gain experience for the following seasons. Regarding the selection of teams for the final round, the unit recommended that the Organizing Committee clearly determine the number of teams entering the final round in each region in advance, instead of waiting to compare the results between the second-place teams. This will ensure transparency and fairness, while limiting the risk of match-fixing.
At the end of the document, Mr. Ho Le Duc - General Director of Song Lam Nghe An Sports Joint Stock Company - expressed his wish to receive attention and positive feedback from the President of the Vietnam Football Federation, the Competition Department and the Organizing Committee of the Yamaha Cup 2025, so that the tournament can be organized objectively, fairly, and become a useful and healthy playground for the generation of young players across the country.
Song Lam Nghe An is one of the most prestigious youth football training centers in the country, having discovered and nurtured many talents for Vietnamese football. Sending a letter of comments shows the seriousness of the unit in its approach to a tournament for youth. The concerns raised by the unit are completely justified, especially in the context of youth tournaments playing an increasingly important role in the strategy of sustainable football development.
The Yamaha Cup 2025 National Youth Football Tournament (U13) brings together 44 teams from all over the country. The tournament is important in discovering and nurturing young talents, creating the next generation for Vietnamese football in the future.
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