HA NOI — Teams are ready to take part in the final round of the National U19 Football Tournament which is scheduled to open at the Tu Do Stadium in Hue City on March 6.

Most of the teams had to practice over the Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays to prepare for the tournament.

Coach Vu Hong Viet of defending champions Ha Noi said his team nearly didn’t have a Tet holiday, as they aim to defend their title.

“It isn’t an easy mission as our rivals are very strong, but we are very confident of taking the title,” said Viet.

Viettel are also hungry for victory.

“Viettel haven’t won the National U19 Football Tournament for a long time. So this time we crave reaching the final,” said Viettel’s coach Dang Phuong Nam.

Song Lam Nghe An are also determined to make the final this year following a poor last year.

Dong Thap are expected to shine in Hue. Most of their players honed their skills via the National U17 Football Tournament two years ago which they won.

Meanwhile, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) are also a candidate for the title. They are well trained by coach Guillaume Graechen.

HAGL’s U21 team’s triumph at the National U21 Football Tournament last December will be drive the U19 team on.

The final round will feature seven teams who passed the qualifying round and the hosts Thua Thien Hue. It will run until March 15.

After this tournament, the best players will be selected for the Viet Nam U19 team to compete in the International U19 Football Tournament held in Pleiku City in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai on March 21-31. — VNS