U21 Song Lam Nghe An won a big victory on the opening day of the National U21 Tournament

Dinh Xuan Tien scored a double for U21 Song Lam Nghe An in the opening match of the 2022 National U21 Tournament. Photo: Chung Le

U21 Song Lam Nghe An, along with U21 Hanoi, holds the record for winning the National U21 Football Championship, with 5 Gold Cup wins. However, for the past 8 years, U21 Nghe An has not won the title. This year, playing at home is an opportunity for coach Nguyen Van Tien and his team to repeat their past achievements.

Dinh Xuan Tien's goal. Photo: Chung Le

Going into this opening match, U21 Song Lam Nghe An is considered by experts to be slightly better than U21 Da Nang. Because the U21 Song Lam Nghe An squad has quite even quality. Names such as Dinh Xuan Tien, Ho Van Cuong, Tran Manh Quynh, Ho Khac Luong... have somewhat proven their abilities after being tested in V.League 2022.

The attacking players of U21 Song Lam Nghe An have quite good technique. Photo: Chung Le

On the other side of the U21 Da Nang front, there are also two very notable players, Luong Duy Cuong and Nguyen Phi Hoang. These are also two players who played quite well last season in the SHB Da Nang shirt.

However, playing at home gave U21 Song Lam Nghe An great determination and confidence. Coach Nguyen Van Tien's team entered the game completely proactively, with many diverse attacks on both wings and the midfield. Dinh Xuan Tien proved his worth, as he was the starting point for many of the home team's high-damage attacks.

Nguyen Van Bach plays enthusiastically in the U21 Song Lam Nghe An team. Photo: Chung Le

However, it was not until the 20th minute of the match that Ho Khac Luong scored the opening goal for U21 Song Lam Nghe An. From a pass from Dinh Xuan Tien, center back Ho Khac Luong, despite being tightly held by the opponent's tall players, still jumped high to head the ball dangerously, leaving goalkeeper Hung Han on the away team helpless.

With the excitement after scoring the opening goal, U21 Song Lam Nghe An continued to surround Hung Han's goal. The best player from the beginning of the match, Dinh Xuan Tien, once again proved his class when he scored a goal, doubling the gap for U21 Nghe An. From a smooth pass in the midfield, the midfielder wearing the number 10 shirt of Song Lam Nghe An penetrated the penalty area and finished coolly, making the opponent's goal fly.

In the first 45 minutes of the match, Da Nang played quite stalemately, unable to organize any really quality attacks. Therefore, goalkeeper Chu Van Tan did not have the opportunity to show his talent.

Center back Ho Khac Luong opened the scoring. Photo: Chung Le

Entering the second half, U21 Song Lam Nghe An continued to assert their strength when raising the score to 3-0. From a pass from his teammate on the right wing, Tran Quoc Thanh entered the penalty area to easily defeat goalkeeper Hung Han.

Less than 3 minutes later, Dinh Xuan Tien scored a double to help Song Lam Nghe An lead their opponents with a score of 4-0. Receiving the ball on the left wing, the midfielder born in 2003 with skillful technique danced between the opponent's defenders, gently cushioned the ball, and scored against U21 Da Nang.

Leading 4-0, coach Nguyen Van Tien's players played a bit slower and that was an opportunity for the away team to organize quite sharp attacks. In the 62nd minute, from the attack of SHB Da Nang players, Song Lam Nghe An defenders were forced to commit a foul in the penalty area. On the penalty spot, Tran Thanh Tai reduced the score to 1-4 for U21 Da Nang.

However, this was also the final score of the match between U21 Song Lam Nghe An and U21 Da Nang. With a resounding victory on the opening day, coach Nguyen Van Tien's team rose to the top of Group A.

On December 19, U21 Song Lam Nghe An will have the second match against U21 Thanh Hoa at Vinh Stadium.