U13 Song Lam Nghe An overcomes the sun and difficulties to defend the throne

Song Lam Nghe An U13 players overcome weather barriers to aim for a successful season this year. Photo: Duc Anh

Overcoming the sun, overcoming difficulties

At only 9am on the last day of May, Vinh city was already scorching hot, the outside temperature was up to 38 degrees Celsius. However, at the artificial turf field of Song Lam Nghe An Club, 25 players and the U13 Coaching Board were still diligently doing their final exercises before leaving for the 2023 National U13 Championship Qualifiers. The heat from the field made some of the players' feet burn. Their uniforms were soaked with sweat.

Center back Nguyen Hong Quan - Captain of U13 Song Lam Nghe An team shared: "The weather has been so hot these past few days, even though we were able to practice quite early, it was still very hot. To avoid heat shock during each practice session, every 15 minutes the teachers let us take a break to wipe our sweat and drink water. In addition, the coaching staff always closely followed, encouraged, reminded us, and required us to follow the correct diet according to regulations, to ensure our health when practicing in harsh weather like the past few days."

The Song Lam Nghe An U13 team participating in the 2023 National U13 Tournament has 23 players born in 2010 and 2 players born in 2011. At this age, many players have weak resistance, so when practicing in harsh weather, they often get sick. In order to ensure the health of the players, Song Lam Nghe An Club has always focused on nutrition and living, creating the best conditions for the players to have enough physical strength to practice.

Head coach of U13 Song Lam Nghe An - Le Manh Huy. Photo: Duc Anh

Head coach of U13 Song Lam Nghe An - Le Manh Huy said: "The harsh weather like the past few days has greatly affected the preparation process for the 2023 National U13 Championship Qualifiers. Because at this age, the players do not have the same resistance and physical strength as their older counterparts, so we have encountered many difficulties in training both in terms of technique, tactics and strength for the players."

Mr. Huy added: “To prevent the children from falling into a state of heat shock, during each training session we will regularly let them rest to drink water and cool their bodies. In addition, we also often remind them to eat well, get enough sleep, and ensure good physical strength every time they go on the field. Any child showing signs of heat stroke or fatigue will be examined and cared for by the medical department. Thereby, the U13 Song Lam Nghe An players have successfully completed the training programs set out by the coaching staff.”

To prepare for the 2023 National U13 Qualifiers, more than a month ago, the U13 Song Lam Nghe An Coaching Board planned and prepared training lessons for the players. Specifically, the U13 Nghe An team increased training time to correct the players' incorrect basic movements and update the players' knowledge of the new Football Laws. The Coaching Board also focused on developing coordination plans to increase the versatility in the way the U13 Song Lam Nghe An players play the ball.

In general, the U13 Song Lam Nghe An team this year does not have any truly outstanding individuals, but in return, their professional level is quite even. In addition, the players' physique is also highly appreciated. Witnessing the training process on the field of the U13 Song Lam Nghe An players, it can be seen that this team relies heavily on collective play, with short passes and a high level of cohesion.

“Regarding the force this year, most of the players are participating in the National U13 Tournament for the first time, without the succession like in previous years. Specifically, in the 2022 season, U13 Song Lam Nghe An had 6 players participating in the 2021 National U13. However, in the 2023 season, U13 Song Lam Nghe An only inherited 2 players, of which 1 is a goalkeeper. Therefore, it can be affirmed that this generation of players does not have as much battle experience as the previous generations of players. However, they are all very eager, trying hard and the whole team will overcome difficulties to aim for the goal of winning a ticket to the 2023 National U13 finals” – Coach Le Manh Huy shared.

Expectations of successfully defending the championship

The 2023 National U13 Qualifiers are divided into 3 regions across the country. U13 Song Lam Nghe An in region 2 will compete in Quang Nam. The matches will take place from June 3 to June 12, 2023. In this region, there are 12 teams including: Binh Dinh, Hanoi, Dong A Thanh Hoa, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Hong Linh Ha Tinh, Hue, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, SHB Da Nang, Song Lam Nghe An. The teams will be divided into 2 groups (C and D). According to the regulations of the Organizing Committee, in region 2, 4 teams ranked first and second in groups C and D and 1 team ranked third with excellent results will be selected.

Captain Nguyen Hong Quan - U13 Song Lam Nghe An. Photo: Duc Anh

Looking at the teams participating in the 2023 National U13 Qualifiers in the Quang Nam region, it can be seen that this year's qualifiers will be fierce. According to the rules of the Organizing Committee, Region 2 will only take 5 teams, but there are many teams with very strong strength, coming from famous training centers and with systematic investment. These include: Hanoi, Dong A Thanh Hoa, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, SHB Da Nang...

Evaluating the opponents, coach Le Manh Huy said: “In the immediate qualifying round, the direct opponents of U13 Song Lam Nghe An can be mentioned as SHB Da Nang, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Hanoi, Dong A Thanh Hoa. These are all teams from training centers that have affirmed their brands in Vietnamese football. Therefore, we will have to be extremely careful, absolutely not to underestimate any opponent. U13 Song Lam Nghe An will solve each match one by one, to complete the goal of passing the qualifying round”.

However, with the existing tradition, along with the quality of uniform and well-trained personnel, U13 Song Lam Nghe An is still completely confident to aim for another successful season.

Captain of U13 Song Lam Nghe An affirmed: “U13 Song Lam Nghe An is the current champion of the National U13 Championship. We will overcome that pressure to confidently look forward to this year's season. In the immediate future, U13 Song Lam Nghe An will try to pass the qualifying round in Quang Nam. And further, we will strive to defend the championship of the National U13 Championship in 2023”.