The National U21 Football Championship’s qualifying round is scheduled to run from July 1 to August 11.

Defending champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai. — Photo vff.org.vn

According to the Việt Nam Football Federation, 18 teams will compete in the annual event including Viettel, Hà Nội, Nam Định, Quảng Ninh, Sông Lam Nghệ An and defending champions Hoàng Anh Gia Lai (HAGL).

Teams will be divided into four groups and they will compete in a round robin format. The best seven teams will reach the final round alongside hosts Thừa Thiên Huế.

The event’s qualification will take place at various locations in a group round, while the final will be held at Tự Do Stadium in Huế on November 7-17.

Last year, HAGL beat Viettel 3-0 in the final held at Bình Dương Stadium in the southern province of Bình Dương, HAGL’s first success in the contest. — VNS