Quang Ninh crushed hosts Nam Dinh 3-0 on Saturday to win Group A and secure a berth in the quarterfinals of the Thanh Nien-sponsored U21 National Football Tournament.

Quang Ninh dominated the match thanks to great performances by national U19 players Hai Huy, Tien Duy and Dai Nghia, and indeed the whole side.

Minh Tuan’s powerful shot put the visitors in front after 16 minutes before Van Vu doubled the score less than 10 minutes later.

Nam Dinh fought back in the second half with relentless attacks that put Quang Ninh under pressure but yielded no goals.

Quang Ninh’s defenders stood firm, and Dai Nghia’s goal in injury time ended all Nam Dinh’s hopes.

The win earned Quang Ninh the top spot in Group A with 13 points, leaving Nam Dinh a point adrift.

Four other teams have already booked their places in the quarterfinals: Group D hosts Khanh Hoa, Group C hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Group F hosts Tien Giang and Ho Chi Minh City from Group E.

The Group B winner will be decided in Nghe An on Sunday.

The six group winners plus defending champions Da Nang and hosts Binh Duong will contest the quarterfinals at Go Dau Stadium in Binh Duong from September 17.

After the final on September 27, the best players will be picked to represent Vietnam against Iran, China, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia in the U21 International Football Tournament in October, also in Binh Duong and again sponsored by Thanh Nien.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff