Group C hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai (R) and Group F hosts Tien Giang book quarterfinal berths

Group C hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) and Group F hosts Tien Giang booked quarterfinal berths in the U21 National Football Tournament with facile wins Thursday.

Group C supervisor Nguyen Ngoc Vinh said HAGL’s young players are equally good and motivated. They will be a major rival in the quarterfinals, he said.

Group F supervisor Luong The Tai pointed to Tien Giang as a major quarterfinal threat with their players not lacking in confidence and skills.

In Group A, meanwhile, hosts Nam Dinh won its fourth match, beating Hoa Phat Hanoi 2-1 to top the group with 12 points followed by Quang Ninh who beat Cong An Nhan Dan (People’s Police) to end with 10. Their encounter tomorrow (Saturday) promises a big battle as the hosts just need a draw to progress while Quang Ninh will have to fight to win.

The quarterfinals begin on September 17 and will be held at Go Dau Stadium, where hosts Binh Duong and defending champions Da Nang will compete against the six group winners.

After the final on September 27, the best players will be picked to represent Vietnam in upcoming matches against Iran, China, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia in the U21 International Football Tournament that will also be held in Binh Duong in October.

The international U21 tournament is also sponsored by Thanh Nien.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff