Amidst the fierce competition for a spot in the finals, the fair play in Group I has become one of the most memorable moments of this season.
In the final match, U11 Dak Lak faced U11 Ba Ria - Vung Tau in a game of decisive significance. As the host team of the finals, which will take place at the end of July, U11 Dak Lak was guaranteed a spot and, theoretically, didn't need to "give their all" in the qualifying round. Meanwhile, U11 Ba Ria - Vung Tau entered the match under immense pressure, as only a victory would keep their hopes of advancing alive.
From a performance perspective, many might have thought the Central Highlands team would play cautiously or conserve energy. However, on the field, the young players under coach Tran Ngoc Cong gave their all.
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| The U11 Dak Lak players (right) showed great dedication and effort in the qualifying round of the 2026 National Children's Football Tournament. |
The U11 Dak Lak team entered the match with high determination, playing fairly against an equally matched opponent. The young players competed fiercely but fairly, playing with innocence and pure passion for football. And then, a 1-0 victory for the home team closed the door on U11 Ba Ria - Vung Tau's chances of advancing.
That result might leave the opponents disappointed, but it was the fighting spirit that revealed the unique beauty of children's football. At that age, the young players don't have any calculations or a "just play enough" mentality. They take to the field simply because of their love for football, for the colors of the team they represent, and for the joy and happiness of playing and enjoying the taste of victory.
The serious competitive spirit of the U11 Dak Lak team was evident throughout the tournament, not just in the match against Ba Ria - Vung Tau. In their opening match, the team from the mountain town secured a resounding 3-0 victory against Phu Dong. Following that, coach Tran Ngoc Cong's players continued to impress by holding strong contender U11 Ho Chi Minh City to a 1-1 draw.
The results of each match showed that the home team participated in the qualifying round not just for fun, but entered the tournament with the highest determination and spirit of dedication. The children played with the innocence appropriate for their age.
Witnessing the U11 players compete with a carefree attitude, ready to play a fair game even if the result directly affects the fate of their opponents, viewers increasingly appreciate the value of pure football. In this game, the children are not burdened by the pressure of calculating wins and losses outside of professional football. Every play, every shot, and every celebration stems from the genuine emotions of childhood.
That's probably why the National Children's Football Tournament has held such a special appeal for so many years. Spectators come to the stadium not only to find beautiful goals or promising talents, but also to rediscover the emotional essence of football – where innocence and the joy of playing remain intact.
In the context of modern football, increasingly dominated by pressure to achieve results and tactical calculations, the image of U11 players giving their all, without the concept of "giving up" or "holding back," becomes all the more valuable. This is not just a story of a tournament, but also represents the core values of school sports and the youth football movement in Vietnam.
Thao Nhi
Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/the-thao/202606/net-dep-cua-bong-da-nhi-dong-e7f7a2e/
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