Defeating Viettel, Nghe An youth football team won the championship for the third time in 2018

The rain before the final match did not affect the enthusiasm in the stands of Thong Nhat Stadium on the afternoon of August 22. A large number of spectators with drums, trumpets and flags joined together to cheer on SLNA and Viettel in the final match of the tournament.

Possessing a well-balanced squad and slightly better than the opponent, Viettel entered the game proactively right after the referee Ngo Dac Tien blew the whistle. The red shirt team continuously deployed the ball to the right wing, where defender Hong Phuc with his speed and agility always tormented the opponent's defense.

Receiving a pass from his teammate in the 10th minute, Hai Duong escaped to face the SLNA goalkeeper. However, Viettel number 16's shot then went over the bar. Coach Nguyen Minh Dung's students continued to pressure the Nghe An team in the following minutes.

Captain Nguyen Van Bach of U15 SLNA in a dispute. Photo: Contributor

Realizing the instability in the Nghe An team's attack, head coach Le Ky Phuong made two substitutions after only 25 minutes of play. The timely adjustments and changes from the coaching staff helped the yellow team gradually stabilize their spirit and regain control of the game. Among them, two outstanding midfielders of SLNA, Dinh Xuan Tien and Nguyen Van Bach, were added from the SLNA U17 team, playing better and better.

Viettel attacked a lot in the first half, but the army team unexpectedly conceded the first goal in the 32nd minute. Clumsiness in controlling the ball caused Minh Khoi to let the ball touch his hand in the penalty area. On the penalty spot, Dinh Xuan Tien - the best player of the 2014 Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament easily defeated goalkeeper Huy Hoang in the middle corner of the goal.

Having the lead allowed SLNA to play comfortably. The Nghe An team would have almost scored a second goal if Phan Xuan Dai’s shot in the 35th minute hadn’t hit the crossbar, or Au Quoc Anh’s chip over the goalkeeper’s head in the 40th minute hadn’t missed the post by a hair’s breadth.

Despite being behind, Viettel still dominated the game with their attacks through the opponent's half in the second half. After many missed opportunities, the red team equalized the score in the 50th minute. Viettel captain Khuat Van Khang fired a low and tricky shot that defeated goalkeeper Canh Tiep, tying the score 1-1 for the home team.

The equalizer helped Viettel relieve the pressure. SLNA’s opponents continuously pushed the ball to the two wings to hang it into the penalty area of ​​goalkeeper Canh Tiep but failed. The ball mostly rolled on SLNA’s side of the field throughout the second half, but Nguyen Minh Dung’s students were powerless to find a way into the opponent’s goal.

On the other side of the front line, the Nghe An team did not organize a high attack but played solidly on their home field while Viettel's defense was also organized tightly and firmly. This caused the 1-1 draw to remain until the end of the 90th minute of the match. Forcing the two teams to decide the winner on the 11m mark.

SLNA becomes the new champion of the National U15 Tournament. Photo: CTV

In the penalty shootout, SLNA players showed their steadfastness when they successfully executed all 5 kicks. Meanwhile, Viettel failed to execute the 5th penalty shootout situation with an excellent save by goalkeeper Canh Tiep. Defeating Viettel in the final, SLNA won the National U15 Championship after 15 years of waiting. This is the 3rd championship title of Nghe An youth football in 4 times entering the final in 2018. Before that, U11 and U13 SLNA were crowned champions, U17 SLNA team won the runner-up position.

Final results of the 2018 National U15 Finals:

* Champion team: SLNA

* Runner-up: Viettel

* Third place: S. Khanh Hoa, B. Binh Duong.

* Fair-play award: S. Khanh Hoa.

* Top scorers: Quoc Loc (Sanna.KH), Van Tu (Viettel), Van Truong (Viettel) – 4 goals.

* Outstanding player: Van Khang (Viettel).

* Excellent goalkeeper: Canh Tiep (SLNA)

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