The Northern Qualifiers are exciting, with many quality rookies joining the competition.

Fierce competition

Nine teams participated in the northern regional qualifying round of the Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament, including: Thuy Loi University, Phuong Dong University, Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports (Group A); National Economics University, Dai Nam University, Hanoi University (Group B); Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, and Phenikaa University (Group C).

Of these, with the exception of four teams – the Water Resources University, the National Economics University, the Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports, and Dai Nam University – the remaining five teams are participating in the tournament for the first time.

In the qualifying round of the 2023 Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament, six teams from the northern region were divided into two groups. Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports and Thuy Loi University respectively demonstrated their superior strength by winning their respective groups, securing direct tickets to the finals.

Water Resources University (in white shirts) is participating in the qualifying round as the reigning runner-up.

It's not an exaggeration to say it was a "stroll" between the two leading forces in student football nationwide. The Water Resources University easily defeated the National Economics University and the Academy of Journalism and Communication to secure a perfect 6 points. Meanwhile, the Hanoi University of Physical Education and Sports also surpassed the Vietnam Maritime University and Dai Nam University to qualify early.

In the play-off match, the National Economics University convincingly defeated the Vietnam Maritime University to secure the last spot in the northern region.

However, the competition landscape has changed this year. Last year, each team had a 50% chance of advancing (selecting 3 spots out of 6 teams in the qualifying round), but this year the door will be much narrower, with only 22.2% (selecting 2 spots out of 9 teams in the qualifying round). "To ensure the quality of the final round of the 2nd Thanh Nien Newspaper Cup in 2024, the Organizing Committee has decided to maintain the current structure of 12 teams in 2024," explained VFF General Secretary Duong Nghiep Khoi.

In this fiercely contested competition, the teams that participated last year are obviously highly regarded for their tactical experience, ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances during matches, and strategic planning to optimize their peak performance and physical condition in order to achieve the best possible results.

Nevertheless, the newly promoted teams should not be underestimated. They are truly an unknown quantity in the tournament, making the outcome of the northern qualifiers unpredictable.

National Economics University (wearing yellow) is in a relatively easy group, with opponents from Hanoi University and Dai Nam University.

Formidable newcomers

The rookie teams in the 2nd Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament 2024 are divided into two groups. Group 1 consists of teams participating for the first time, but who are already familiar faces in previous school football competitions, such as Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports and Hanoi University of Civil Engineering.

Many jokingly say that the Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports team is one of the opponents... nobody wants to face in student football. Coming from a university specializing in physical education and sports, the Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports team has a solid foundation in basic techniques and expertise, and outstanding strength and endurance.

Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports is also the champion of the 2022 National Student 7-a-side Football Tournament, having defeated FPT Polytechnic College 1-0 in the final. Selecting students for the national tournament wasn't too difficult for Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports, as coach Nguyen Son had many talented players at his disposal.

Therefore, being in the same group as the reigning runner-up, the Water Resources University, is not a big problem for the Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports. The competition between the two schools can even be considered an early final of the Northern region.

The Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports team (in yellow jerseys) is a formidable opponent.

"After 16 years, the Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports team is participating in the student football tournament. This year, the organizers have approved the participation of students from the Faculty of Physical Education and non-specialized students from the Faculty of Sports Training."

"With a very large number of participating teams, we are in the process of thoroughly preparing for the northern qualifiers. We will be facing teams that have competed in student tournaments for many years, so the challenge will not be easy. However, the team will be determined to win each match to secure a spot in the finals," said team leader Nguyen Duc Anh.

Among the teams participating for the first time and relatively new to the student football scene, we can mention Phuong Dong University, Hanoi University, and Phenikaa University. Of these, Phenikaa University is a rising star in student football, having finished second in the 2023 National Student Futsal Championship.

The strengths of the Phenikaa University football team lie in its excellent facilities and strong football movement. However, progressing from playing well in futsal or 7-a-side tournaments to 11-a-side is a long journey, requiring student players to improve their strength, endurance, and tactical thinking.

That's also why new teams like Phenikaa University and Hanoi University have been actively playing friendly matches recently, determined to make their mark in the qualifying rounds.

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