Vietnamese student team selected to compete in Asian university tournament, determined to make a mark

The Vietnamese student team, consisting of 20 players from 7 schools, invited by Dong Nai University of Technology, has been gathering for nearly a month to prepare for the Asian University Football Championship held in Malaysia from June 1 to 8, 2024.

Among them are 3 players from Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports (the current champion of the Vietnam Youth Student Football Tournament), 2 players from Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports (who competed in the qualifying round of Group A of the Vietnam Youth Student Football Tournament), 1 from Nong Lam University, 1 from Hoa Sen University, 1 from Binh Duong University and 1 from Vung Tau College of Tourism. Of course, the most numerous is the Dong Nai University of Technology team (the team ranked 3rd in the Vietnam Youth Student Football Tournament 2024) with 11 players.

Team leader Tang Tri Hung and head coach Le Huu Phat instruct the team

This is the third time that the Vietnamese students, led by Dong Nai University of Technology, have been tested in the Asian university arena. The previous two times, in 2019 in Taiwan, the team won the style award, and in 2023 in Korea, the team had no results and finished last.

Therefore, when continuing to participate in the 2024 tournament in Malaysia, team leader Tang Tri Hung said: "The tournament in Korea left a lot of valuable experience. This time, the whole team has drawn many necessary lessons and will strive to have a better result. We will compete with dedication and determination to make an impression, even though the opponents are very strong and the competition schedule is very dense."

There will be 8 teams participating in the Asian University Football Championship, coming from Korea, Japan, Oman, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and host Malaysia. The teams will be divided into 2 groups to compete in a round robin, then compete in a symmetrical ranking. The competition time is very intense with one match per day from June 3 to June 8.

In total, the Vietnamese student team will have 4 matches. Head coach Le Huu Phat (also coach of Dong Nai University of Technology) said: "Physical strength will be the key issue, so we will try to distribute our strength well. The team's goal is to improve through each match, learn from opponents like Japan, Korea, Oman and try to play well against university teams in Southeast Asia."

Exercise hard

It is known that the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) also issued a document signed by Deputy Secretary General Nguyen Minh Chau stating: "The Asian University Football Tournament is an opportunity for Vietnamese students to have football and cultural exchanges with students around the world. VFF requests Dong Nai University of Technology to manage students well, ensure the correct program and plan of the Organizing Committee, Vietnamese students participating in the tournament promote the spirit of solidarity and nobility, create a beautiful cultural exchange in sports, and maintain the colors of Vietnam in the international arena".

In recent times, the Vietnamese student team has actively played friendly matches with many professional youth teams in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces to hone their skills, gain more experience, and select a suitable squad.

In addition to head coach Le Huu Phat (former Dong Nai player), the team's coaching staff also includes Mr. Nguyen Hoang Minh (currently a VFF referee supervisor), Quach Hung Bao (former assistant of the Dong Nai U.21 team that won the national U.21 championship in 2010), who are trying to build and shape the most dynamic and tight playing style.

The team had notable matches such as winning U.19 Ho Chi Minh City led by coach Lu Dinh Tuan 4-3, winning U.17 Tay Ninh 4-1, drawing U.19 Binh Duong 4-4, winning 4-0 and drawing 3-3 with Ho Chi Minh City University of Sports.

The team (missing a few players) is ready for the Asian University Championship.

Hopefully, with a relatively even force and early preparation, the team will create fiery student matches in Malaysia and bring new momentum to school football, contributing to spreading emotions, meaningful images and the sporting vitality of Vietnamese students.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-chon-sinh-vien-viet-nam-du-giai-dai-hoc-chau-a-quyet-tam-tao-dau-an-1852405290005058.htm