VietNamNet Bridge – The International U19 Football Tournament will begin on March 22-30 instead of March 20-30, the event’s organising board announced.

Vietnam U19 team seen in a training session as they prepare for the international U19 event. — Photo thanhnien.vn

The event timing was changed because a State funeral for former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai will be held on March 20-21.

The tournament will be organised in Pleiku City in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai.

The event will attract the participation of five teams: Chonburi of Thailand, FC Seoul of South Korea, Mito Hollyhock of Japan, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and the Vietnam U19 team, comprised of the top players from the National U19 Football Tournament which wrapped up in Hue City on March 15.

Teams will compete in a round robin format.

“South Korea and Japan are always strong squads, while Thailand are also an arch rival. So Vietnam U19 team will make every effort to give fans interesting matches. The team are the harmonious combination of the four best teams of the national event, and many of them are national players,” said coach Vu Hong Viet.

The hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who finished third in the same event held last year, have strengthened their force with young talents Nguyen Duy Kien and Nguyen Van Van.

Although they will struggle to take the event’s trophy, coach Graechen Guillaume affirmed that his team will play fair and aims to surprise audiences this year. 

Source: VNS