U21 Song Lam Nghe An: The formidable 'tank'

Defensive fulcrum

In the list of registrations for the tournament,U21 Song Lam Nghe AnWith up to 10 defenders, it is clear that the coaching staff of the Nghe An team wants to build a squad with a solid foundation in defense. This was partly demonstrated in the journey to win the gold medal in the men's football event of the 2022 National Sports Festival.

Young defender Ho Van Cuong - one of the pillars of the U21 Song Lam Nghe An defense. Photo: VPF

After 5 matches, the Nghe An youth football team has only conceded 2 goals. The defense is led by captain Le Van Thanh, combined with the playing experience of Ho Khac Luong and Ho Van Cuong, always bringing peace of mind to the coaching staff of the Nghe An team. In addition, the excellence of goalkeeper Chu Van Tan will also be one of the pillars to help U21 Song Lam Nghe An go far in this final round.

The attack is not outstanding.

The most worrying point in the U21 Song Lam Nghe An squad at the moment is the lack of an excellent striker. All 3 strikers registered for this tournament are quite unfamiliar names to fans.

That is young striker Phan Xuan Dai, who was registered in the first team to participate in V.League 2022, but the only mark this striker left was the goal scored against Ho Chi Minh City in the semi-finals of the men's football event of the 2022 National Sports Festival. That is Ngo Xuan Luong, who was the top scorer of the National U19 Football Championship in 2020 but was hindered by injuries. The remaining striker is Le Khanh Toan, who has not left much of an impression in the 2022 National Second Division Championship in the shirt of Hai Nam Vinh Yen Vinh Phuc club (on loan from Song Lam Nghe An). Without outstanding efforts, the U21 Song Lam Nghe An attack will hardly create a surprise in this tournament.

Midfield strength

In contrast to the attack, the midfield of U21 Song Lam Nghe An is considered very strong with many excellent midfielders. That is U20 Vietnam player Dinh Xuan Tien, who will be the heart of the midfield of the Nghe An team. With experience playing in V.League and youth tournaments, this young midfielder from Nam Dan will be the inspiration for the attacks of U21 Song Lam Nghe An.

Midfielder Dinh Xuan Tien is the hope of U21 Song Lam Nghe An. Photo: Xuan Thuy

Another hope in the midfield is midfielder Tran Manh Quynh. One of the most experienced players in the midfield of the Nghe An team. With his good dribbling and finishing ability, this midfielder born in 2001 will be the most dangerous explosive on the left wing of U21 Song Lam Nghe An.

Along with that are Dang Quang Tu and Tran Quoc Thanh - who shone and contributed greatly to bringing home the Gold Medal in men's football at the 2022 National Sports Festival for Nghe An football.

Rich competition experience

Another strength of the U21 young playersLam River Nghe AnParticipating in this tournament is the experience of competition. Most of the young players of the Nghe An team have played a lot in tournaments run and managed by the VFF. Besides Ho Khac Luong, Ho Van Cuong, Tran Manh Quynh and Dinh Xuan Tien who have played and gained experience in V.League 2022, the remaining players of U21 Song Lam Nghe An have also played in the 2022 National Second Division Football Tournament and the 2022 National Third Division Football Tournament in the colors of Hai Nam Vinh Yen Vinh Phuc and Tre Song Lam Nghe An. The 4-2 victory on penalties against defending champion Hanoi in the men's football final of the 2022 National Sports Festival is the clearest proof of the toughness of the young players of Song Lam Nghe An. With courage and a spirit of steel, Nghe An fans believe that U21 Song Lam Nghe An will overcome all the pressure in this year's tournament.

The U21 Song Lam Nghe An players have a lot of experience in competition. Photo: Song Lam Nghe An Club

The 12th player of U21 Song Lam Nghe An

As one of the two co-host provinces of this year's tournament, U21 Song Lam Nghe An will certainly receive enthusiastic support from home fans. After a successful season of youth football, Nghe An fans are eager to see their team crowned champion at this year's U21 tournament, thereby increasing the number of National U21 championships to 6. The support of Nghe An fans will be the 12th player to bring positive energy to the young players on the field.

Final round of the tournamentU21 National Youth 2022will take place from December 17 to 30, 2022 in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. Hopefully, the U21 Song Lam Nghe An team will continue the success of Nghe An youth football in 2022./.