U19 SLNA and the goal of 'quenching thirst'

1. According to the draw results, U19 SLNA was in the same group B with U19 Hanoi, U19 Dong Thap and U19 Binh Dinh. Objectively assessed, the chances of advancing to the next round ofU19 SLNAis quite obvious, because in addition to the 6 first and second place teams, the quarter-finals also have the presence of the 2 best third place teams of the 3 groups.

U19 SLNA has excellently qualified with the first place in the group. Photo: Minh Hieu

As long as they show their true potential, coach Dinh Van Dung’s students will not have much difficulty qualifying for the quarter-finals. However, compared to U19 Dong Thap and U19 Binh Dinh, the young team from Nghe An is also rated higher. The important question is how far will U19 SLNA go in this year’s tournament?

Don't forget that after the 2006 championship, the SLNA training center has continuously been empty-handed in the tournament for the U19 age group of Vietnamese football. The best achievement of U19 SLNA in the period 2006 - 2021 is 4 times winning the runner-up position (2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014). It is enough to see how great the "thirst for the championship" of U19 SLNA is.

Therefore, entering the 2022 National U19 Championship, the goal of U19 SLNA is nothing other than winning the championship. This is a task that is not beyond the reach of coach Dinh Van Dung and his team. Simply put, at the present time, U19 SLNA possesses both strong soldiers (players) and strong generals (Coaching staff).

The core of U19 SLNA at this time are players born in 2003 and 2004 who won the championship at the National U15 Championship 2019 and National U17 Championship 2020. Photo: Document

2. When talking about the U19 SLNA coaching staff, we cannot help but mention the role of head coach Dinh Van Dung, a strategist with the most seniority and achievements in domestic and international youth tournaments. Assistants to Mr. "Dung Thanh Hoa" are Coach Tran Quang Dung and Coach Le Manh Hung, both talented and experienced in battle.

However, for the team to achieve positive results, a good coaching staff alone is not enough, but must have a truly quality squad. Fortunately, U19 SLNA has both of these important factors, even though "conductor" Dinh Xuan Tien is absent, because he is busy focusing on the U23 Vietnam team participating in the 2022 Dubai Cup.

As is known, the core of U19 SLNA at this time are players born in 2003 and 2004 who won the championship at the 2019 National U15 Championship and the 2020 National U17 Championship. Some typical faces include Nguyen Canh Tiep, Trinh Hoang Canh, Ho Van Cuong, Nguyen Van Bach, Nguyen Cong Huy, Phan Duy Hao and Phan Xuan Dai.

Sharing with Nghe An Newspaper, Coach Le Manh Hung affirmed: "The teams participating in the tournament are all very strong, while U19 SLNA does not have the services of midfielder Dinh Xuan Tien. The tournament has not taken place yet so nothing can be said in advance, but certainly our teachers and students will always enter the match with the highest determination to not let down the fans."

Witnessing the performances of Trinh Hoang Canh and his teammates in Group B of the 2022 National U19 Championship qualifiers, taking place at Thanh Tri Stadium (Hanoi) from March 2-15, Nghe An football fans all feel confident about their team's championship chances. Hopefully, coach Dinh Van Dung and his team will help U19 SLNA successfully end the "championship thirst" that has lasted for the 15th year./.