Shining young stars of Nghe An Newspaper Cup

Ngo Xuan Phong – “Golden Hand” of Vinh City Youth Team

A successful flying save by goalkeeper Ngo Xuan Phong, Vinh City Youth Team. Photo: Duc Anh

As the eldest child in a family of three children in Hung Chinh commune, Phong's parents were self-employed and had to work hard to make a living, so he soon became independent and knew how to take care of himself.

Passionate about football since childhood, but because he is the oldest brother in the family, has to take care of 2 younger siblings and economic conditions are difficult, so even though he lives in the city, he cannot attend any gifted football classes.

"I can only participate in the commune and ward tournaments and play for fun because my parents don't have money to invest," said Le Thi Hai, Phong's mother.

Phong was discovered and invited to the team thanks to a physical education teacher at Hung Chinh Secondary School who introduced him to coach Le Anh Duc.

“At first, when we called Phong to the team, we let him practice and play as a sweeper. However, the more he practiced and played in friendly matches, the more suitable Phong became for the role of a goalkeeper.

Ngo Xuan Phong possesses all the qualities of a "goalkeeper". Photo: Duc Anh

Ngo Xuan Phong possesses all the qualities of a “goalkeeper”, including accurate ball judgment, quick and flexible reflexes. In particular, Phong is one of the few goalkeepers who uses his feet to block the ball. Before entering the final match, with Phong’s solid protection, the Vinh City Youth Team only conceded 1 goal.

With his outstanding contribution, Ngo Xuan Phong greatly contributed to the Vinh City Youth Team's runner-up position and he was awarded the title of "Best Goalkeeper of the tournament".

Cao Huy Hoang– the “soul” of the teamTan Ky Children's

A dribble by Cao Huy Hoang. Photo: Thanh Cuong

When mentioning number 4 Cao Huy Hoang, all the fans who love young football will surely be amazed, not sparing in their praise and admiration, saying that Hoang is the "soul" of the Tan Ky Children's Football Team. And indeed, those praises are very worthy of Hoang.

This is the second season that Hoang has been part of the Tan Ky Children's team participating in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup. Last season, Hoang also had beautiful plays and created assists to help his teammates win against their opponents and become champions. After that, Hoang was "spotted" by Song Lam Nghe An Club and called to train in the youth team. Having talent and being trained in a professional environment, Hoang has a technical style of play, is confident in every pass and plays very maturely.

Participating in this year's season, Cao Huy Hoang is both a mainstay of the team and a spiritual support for his teammates. On the field, in addition to his confidence, sharp and flexible techniques, Hoang's playing style is quite elegant. Hoang's feet seem to have "magic" in his dribbling, dribbling and even when he shoots the ball. His goals are very beautiful and always go into the dangerous corners of the opponent's goal, leaving the opposing team's goalkeeper helpless.

With his strong competitive spirit, Cao Huy Hoang is considered the "soul" of the Tan Ky Children's team. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Although playing in the position of center back, No. 4 Cao Huy Hoang is the top scorer of the Tan Ky Children's team. This season, Cao Huy Hoang has scored 6 goals in 5 matches. Notably, in the nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Thanh Chuong Children's team to win a ticket to the final, Cao Huy Hoang was also assigned the responsibility of goalkeeper by the team's coaching staff. "It's very stressful, because just a little carelessness or a little bad luck will cause me to miss the opportunity to defend the title. However, the teachers and the whole team trust me, so I just try my best," Hoang shared.

Calm and precise, Hoang successfully blocked Thanh Chuong Children's team's penalty kick, helping bring Tan Ky Children's team to the final.

Mr. Nguyen Van Linh - head coach of Tan Ky Children's team said: "Hoang can play in many positions. Hoang has technical certainty, competitive spirit and also has elegance in his playing style. When we let Hoang play as goalkeeper in the semi-final, we did not take any risks but calculated and considered carefully. Hoang was chosen because we trust him."

With his contributions throughout the season, Cao Huy Hoang deserves to be awarded the title of "Best Player" for children in the 25th season by the Organizing Committee.

Thai Van Tuan Duy - "golden glove" of Quy Hop Children's Team

"Golden Glove" Thai Van Tuan Duy. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Being a Tho ethnic, born into a farming family in Nghia Xuan commune (Quy Hop), Duy had little opportunity to play football since childhood, despite his passion for the round ball. Firstly, because the local children's football movement was not yet strongly developed, secondly, Duy's parents did not encourage him to play football because they were worried that he would get injured and neglect his studies. Therefore, to satisfy his passion, at the beginning of the school year, Duy "committed" to his parents that, although he played football, he would achieve the title of excellent student.

While participating in the community football class opened in Nghia Xuan commune, Duy also studied hard. As a result, at the end of the school year, Duy achieved 3 9s in 3 subjects: Math, Vietnamese, English and was awarded the title of excellent student. At the end of the school year, Duy was also called by the teachers at the District Culture - Information and Sports Center to join the Children's team, participate in training and play in the Youth - Children's Football Tournament of Nghe An Newspaper Cup.

Thai Van Tuan Duy was encouraged by the leaders of the Center for Culture, Sports and Tourism after the match. Photo: Xuan Thuy

Although he can play in many different positions: midfielder, defender and goalkeeper, with his large physique, accurate and quick judgment, Duy is trusted by his teachers to be assigned the position of "goalkeeper".

After 5 matches, the solidity and tightness of goalkeeper Tuan Duy helped the Quy Hop Children's team gradually conquer the tournament, entering the semi-finals.

"Objectively, Tuan Duy was excellent in the goalkeeper position, making an important contribution to helping the Quy Hop Children's team overcome their opponents to reach the final match," coach Cao Thanh Xuan commented.

In the final match against Tan Ky Children's Team, against a team that was considered stronger, during the two halves, there were many dangerous situations that caused trouble for Quy Hop Children's Team's goal. However, "golden glove" Tuan Duy made excellent saves to block many of the opponent's shots, saving his team. Although he could not keep a clean sheet to help Quy Hop Children's Team step up to the throne, but with what Tuan Duy showed, he deserved to be voted "Best Goalkeeper of the tournament".