2 halves of joy and sadness of the former Saigon Port player, surprise with the DNTU award

Two former Saigon Port players Lu Dinh Tuan and Ha Vuong Ngau Nai had an interesting confrontation, with a bittersweet outcome, at the playground organized by Dong Nai University of Technology (DNTU) that just ended on the afternoon of June 4.

U.19 Ho Chi Minh City asserts itself at DNTU tournament

In a four-team tournament (DNTU) and having to compete with older opponents, but the students of Coach Lu Dinh Tuan in the U.19 HCMC shirt have asserted themselves. Under the hands of this former famous player of Saigon Port, U.19 HCMC played very cohesively, showed initiative in playing style and always organized the ball in a coherent manner, making the audience very excited.

The playing style of the squad led by captain Huu Trong, who used to play for the Vietnam U.16 team, highlighted the strong and fierce playing spirit of the team from the city named after Uncle Ho. The two convincing victories against host DNTU (5-1) and competitor U.21 Tien Giang (1-0) not only showed the strength of U.19 Ho Chi Minh City but also showed the good preparation of coach Lu Dinh Tuan and his team before the qualifying round of the national U.21 tournament which will start in July.

The joy of winning the championship of U.19 Ho Chi Minh City

PHOTO: TRONG HIEU

DNTU Board of Directors awarded the championship to U.19 Ho Chi Minh City

PHOTO: TRONG HIEU

Coach Lu Dinh Tuan said: "It's been a long time since I've had the feeling of winning the championship with a Ho Chi Minh City team. Although DNTU is just an invitational tournament, the opponents come from many different levels. But we tried our best to play well, the important thing is to have the opportunity to test the squad to aim for a launching pad for the future."

Many parents of the players from Ho Chi Minh City came to Bien Hoa to watch, very excited with each ball and the way their children showed high concentration throughout the match. Some faces who played well in the National U.19 Finals earlier this year in Ba Ria continued to be the "locomotives" such as Huu Trong, Minh Ky, The Hung, Duy Thong, Linh Nam or goalkeeper Ha Phu Hung, who only conceded 1 goal throughout the tournament, deserving the title of best goalkeeper of the DNTU tournament.

Goalkeeper Ha Phu Hung received the title of excellent goalkeeper

PHOTO: TRONG HIEU

In the 2025 national U.19 tournament, the Ho Chi Minh City team has reached the quarterfinals. Ho Chi Minh City youth football finished second in the national U.21 tournaments in 1997, 2002, 2008 or third in 1998, 2015, so Mr. Tuan hopes to first win the right to enter the final round, then have the opportunity to break through more strongly. It is known that Ho Chi Minh City U.19 will compete under the name of Thong Nhat Sports Center and can be in the same group with southern teams such as Ba Ria Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, An Giang , Binh Phuoc and Tien Giang.

Coach Lu Dinh Tuan (left) and former player Ngau Nai at Bien Hoa stadium

PHOTO: TRONG HIEU

U.21 Tien Giang team caused shock when they lost heavily

Unlike what U.19 Ho Chi Minh City showed, U.21 Tien Giang team under the leadership of coaches Le Vo Chi Nguyen, Huynh Van Tuoi and with former Saigon Port player Ha Vuong Ngau Nai appearing as an advisor, played inconsistently. After the opening match winning 4-3 (after easily leading 4-1) against the team of Ho Chi Minh City University of Sports and Physical Education and even though they later lost narrowly to U.19 Ho Chi Minh City 0-1, many people still expected U.21 Tien Giang to prove themselves in the final match against another student team, the tournament host DNTU.

U.21 Tien Giang (red shirt) attacked a lot but was ineffective.

Photo: TRONG HIEU

However, all hopes were disappointed when U.21 Tien Giang lost themselves, played too loosely and appeared confused from start to finish. The faces that had contributed to U.19 and U.21 Tien Giang in the past such as Thanh Hoai, Duy Quan, Trung Truc, Chi Hao, Minh Sang or Thanh Phat have not left their mark. They organized defense, did not catch people well, and chose poor positions. As for attack, it mostly relied on individual efforts, with few breakthrough arrangements.

Coach Ngau Nai's advisor shared: "The players still lack concentration and the necessary connection. Everything still needs to be improved. In general, U.21 Tien Giang still has a lot of work to do."

U.21 Tien Giang won third place

PHOTO: TRONG HIEU

Meanwhile, the home team DNTU showed great determination when a large number of fans and the Board of Directors came out to support and cheer them on, so they played like they were possessed. After the shock of losing to U.19 Ho Chi Minh City, the two victories against the team of Ho Chi Minh City University of Sports and U.21 Tien Giang were worthy rewards for the spirit of overcoming difficulties and the tireless efforts of coach Le Huu Phat and his team. It can be said that DNTU had a good tournament with strong opponents to improve their quality in the near future.

DNTU team (blue shirt, left) played confidently against U.21 Tien Giang

PHOTO: TRONG HIEU

Dong Nai University of Technology team won second prize

PHOTO: TRONG HIEU

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/2-nua-buon-vui-cua-cuu-danh-thu-cang-sai-gon-bat-ngo-voi-giai-dntu-185250605103459121.htm