Yen Thanh determined to win title at Nghe An Newspaper Cup

Practice non-stop

The intense heat of the summer days does not seem to discourage the young players of Yen Thanh. Every day, at the artificial turf field of Phan Dang Luu High School, teachers and students of Yen Thanh football team are always present, on time, practicing hard, ready to enter the Youth - Children's Football Tournament of Nghe An Newspaper Cup with the highest determination.

Yen Thanh Youth Team has uniformity in both physique and individual technique. Photo: Quang An

Coach Vu Duc Quyet of Yen Thanh Youth Team said: Compared to previous years, this year's youth players have more even physique and technique, and were carefully selected in the localities. Many players, even though they live 15 - 20 km away from the training site such as Ma Thanh, Dong Thanh, Vinh Thanh..., have not hesitated to return to the training ground every day. That makes us, the coaches, very appreciative and dedicated to training and nurturing them so that they have more motivation to stick with the round ball.

Tactical exercises were carefully taught by coach Vu Duc Quyet. Photo: Quang An

According to the reporter, Yen Thanh is a locality that has put a lot of effort into this year's tournament. Preparations for the tournament, especially the selection of players, have been started since the beginning of the year and have been maintained continuously. In particular, about a week before the tournament starts, teachers and students in Yen Thanh will practice "closed" together, meaning that the children will not return home but will eat, sleep, and live right at the team to be ready to compete with the most careful preparation. In addition to coaching, the teachers also do the shopping, cooking, and serving the sleep of the young players. In response to that dedication, the Yen Thanh players practice seriously in every practice session with a high spirit of determination, striving to bring the title to their hometown.

Many young players from Yen Thanh traveled dozens of kilometers to practice with the team. Photo: Quang An

In coaching, Mr. Vu Duc Quyet believes that although a player’s talent is very important, morality is the deciding factor for a player’s success in his career. Therefore, in each training session, Mr. Quyet sets out clear rules and strict rewards and punishments to train both morality and talent for the players.

Players who arrive late to the training ground without a valid reason, who are careless or nonchalant during training sessions, or who make inappropriate statements will be severely punished. Because of the application of "iron discipline", the young players of Yen Thanh practice with a very serious attitude, high self-awareness, and strictly follow the instructions of the coaching staff.

Practice matches are held regularly to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each player. Photo: Quang An

Over the years, Yen Thanh has gradually affirmed its position at the Nghe An Newspaper Cup, the children's age group won the championship for two consecutive years in 2011 and 2012. By 2018, it was a year of great success for Yen Thanh football when the team won the "double championship" of both the children's and youth age groups. This record created a big buzz, raising the level of Yen Thanh football, making opponents wary and cautious every time they faced each other. Those successes have fanned the flames of passion for the round ball for the children of the rice district. The gifted classes that were opened all attracted a large number of children to register to participate with the dream of becoming professional players.

Yen Thanh is always one of the top candidates for the Nghe An Newspaper Cup championship. Photo: Quang An

Determined to bring home the title

Although 2018 was a year of great success for Yen Thanh football, in the 2019 season, Yen Thanh youth and children players had to stop at the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the tournament and became the former champion. This made the coaching staff and players very regretful, however, the trust in the young players has never diminished. After 2 years of suspension due to the epidemic, this is the right time for Yen Thanh football to regain its reputation in the playground where they are always the top candidate for the championship.

Yen Thanh Children's Team was carefully selected from all over the area. Photo: Quang An

Mr. Nguyen Viet Cong - Deputy Director of the Center for Culture, Sports and Communication of Yen Thanh district said: Right from the beginning of the year, we have directed the teachers to gather forces and organize training, both to prepare for tournaments, especially the Nghe An Newspaper Cup, and to improve the health of the children after a long period of stagnation due to the Covid-19 epidemic. For Yen Thanh district, physical education and sports activities, especially football, are of great interest and are invested in systematically. The children have the support and trust of the leadership, parents and fans. Therefore, the Yen Thanh football team always gives their all every time they enter the field to compete.

"However, it must be clearly stated that this year, all teams have prepared very carefully and systematically, so if we want to win the title, we must play carefully and have clear tactics for each opponent. Although we know we will face many difficulties, Yen Thanh is determined to win the title this season" - Mr. Nguyen Viet Cong emphasized.

Yen Thanh youth football teams won the double championship in 2018 at the tournament. Photo: Archive

Over the past seasons, Yen Thanh football has established itself in the hearts of the audience with its fiery, beautiful attacking style and Fair-Play spirit. This is also the team that has trained excellent students, becoming pillars of SLNA as well as the National team such as Phan Van Duc, Pham Xuan Manh or most recently, famous players Truong Van Tuyen, Vuong Van Tung or Nguyen Van Bach... These stars who grew up from the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children's Football Tournament are currently an endless inspiration for the next generations. When asked, most of the Yen Thanh young players idolized their seniors and promised to be determined and make efforts to compete in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup to follow in their footsteps, bringing glory to the rice homeland of Yen Thanh.