Gia Lai province hosts National U19 Football Championship

NDO – The 2019 National U19 Football Championship finals officially kicked off at Pleiku Stadium in Pleiku city, in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, on March 8.

The 10-day tournament has brought together eight teams in two groups of four. Group A features Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Viettel, An Giang and SHB Da Nang, while Group B is made up of Becamex Binh Duong, Song Lam Nghe An, Hanoi and Phu Yen.

The participants are competing in a round robin format to decide the top two teams from each group that will qualify for the semifinal round.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai players celebrate after Quoc Viet scores their solitary goal. (Photo: VFF)

The overall champions will receive the trophy and VND80 million (US$3,440), while respective stakes of VND50 million, VND30 million and VND20 million will be awarded to the runners-up, the third-placed team and the fair-play prize winners.

In addition, the organising committee will present four individual prizes, worth VND10 million each, to the “best goalkeeper”, the “most valuable player”, the “top scorer” and the “best referee”.

Prizes will also be handed to the “man of the match”, as voted by correspondents, and to the player who scores the first goal in each match.

On the opening day of the competition, SHB Da Nang recorded a convincing 3-0 victory against An Giang thanks to Thanh Tai, Tan Nam and Xuan Tao. Meanwhile, hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai edged out Viettel 1-0 with the solitary goal from Quoc Viet.

(Source: NDO)