The Viet Nam Football Federation has published the draw for the qualifying round of the U21 Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper football tournament.

Song Lam Nghe An will host five other teams in Group A, including Ha Noi T&T, Quang Ninh and Vicem Hai Phong. Group B with six teams, held in Da Nang City, includes SHB Da Nang, Thua Thien-Hue and Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

Khatoco Khanh Hoa share Group C with Navibank Sai Gon, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Group D, to be held in Long An, contains seven teams including Dong Tam Long An, Vinh Long and Can Tho.

The teams will compete in a round-robin format, before the group winners and the top two second placed teams progress to the quarter finals. They will join defending champions Nam Dinh and hosts Ninh Thuan who received wildcards.

The qualifying round will take place from September 1-15 and the final round will be held from September 25 to October 5. — VNS