The final round of the 2023 Yamaha Cup National U13 Football Tournament kicked off from July 3rd to 14th in Khanh Hoa, featuring 16 teams that had excelled in the qualifying rounds in three regions: Thai Binh , Quang Nam, and Tay Ninh. These teams included: Haduwaco Hai Duong, PVF, Hanoi, Viettel, Luxury Ha Long, SHB Da Nang, Hanoi, Song Lam Nghe An, Hong Linh Ha Tinh, Binh Duong, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, Dak Lak, Navy Phu Nhuan, and Khanh Hoa.

Opening ceremony of the final round of the National U13 Football Championship - Yamaha Cup 2023.

The teams were divided into four groups, competing in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. Prior to that, the qualifying round brought together 34 teams from 28 provinces and cities nationwide.

Following the opening ceremony, in Group A, the host team U13 Khanh Hoa lost to U13 Dong Thap 0-1. Prior to that, the tournament featured three matches: U13SHB Da Nang beat U13 Tay Ninh 5-0, U13 Song Lam Nghe An beat U13 Dak Lak 6-0, and U13 Viettel beat U13 PVF 2-0.

On July 4th, the tournament continued with matches in groups C and D, including: U13 Hoang Anh Gia Lai - U13 Luxury Ha Long, U13 Binh Duong - U13 Hanoi, U13 Hanoi - U13 Hong Linh Ha Tinh, U13 Navy Phu Nhuan - U13 Haduwaco Hai Duong.

A fierce play in the match between U13 Khanh Hoa and U13 Dong Thap.

Journalist Nguyen Phan Khue, Editor-in-Chief of the Youth Pioneer and Children's Newspaper and Head of the Organizing Committee of the tournament, affirmed: "The tournament continues to be an attractive professional sports arena with high professional quality, giving children the opportunity to train and cultivate their love for football. It is also a place to discover and nurture young talents who will contribute to the development of Vietnamese football in the future."

Text and photos: HAO NGUYEN