The 21st Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Cup 2026: Nurturing young talents

With more than two decades of dedicated support for children in Dong Nai, the Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper Cup (now the Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Cup) has become a familiar summer sporting event for thousands of children.

Despite his small stature, Bach Tan Loc (No. 10) fearlessly challenges taller opponents for the ball and often comes out on top.

From the innocent matches on the pitch, many young talents have been discovered and nurtured, gradually making their way into professional training environments. This year's tournament continues to make its mark with the emergence of many promising young players, raising hopes for a new generation of players for Dong Nai football.

A playground where aspirations flourish

The qualifying round of this year's Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Cup has been remembered not only for its skillful goals and exciting matches but also for the inspiring stories behind every performance. Each match reflects children's passion for football, the encouragement of their families, and the dedication of coaches committed to developing young talent.

In Cluster 4, the Xuan Loc Ward U11 team made a strong impression by winning all three matches, collecting a maximum of nine points, scoring 30 goals, and conceding just once. The achievement was built on the team's collective strength, while also giving several standout players an opportunity to make their mark. Defender Le Anh Khoi earned high praise from the coaching staff. Although defenders generally receive less attention than strikers, Khoi consistently performed his defensive duties well, remained composed in challenges, and actively contributed to attacking moves with passes that created scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Few people know that Khoi's football journey began in a very simple way. At the age of eight, his parents introduced him to football simply to provide him with a healthy summer activity, improve his physical fitness, and reduce the time he spent using phones and watching television. Le Sy Toan, Khoi's father, recalled that his son's passion for football grew gradually through playing football with neighborhood friends. After recognizing his talent, the family enrolled Khoi in a community football class run by coach Nguyen Nhat Nam, who currently coaches the Xuan Loc Ward U11 team. Since then, Khoi's football talent has become increasingly evident.

"Our greatest wish is for our child to stay healthy and have a positive environment in which to train. If he can pursue professional football in the future, our family will always support him," said Toan.

Coach Nguyen Nhat Nam said Khoi has attended the community football class since the third grade. When he first began training, he still had limitations in both technique and physical fitness. After years of persistent practice, however, he has made marked progress, particularly as a defender. If he continues to refine his technique and strengthen his composure in competition, he has every opportunity to develop further.

Le Sy Toan celebrates with his son, Le Anh Khoi, after the Xuan Loc Ward U11 team secured a place in the final round.

Discovering promising football talents

The tournament has also showcased many promising players from teams across Dong Nai City. In Cluster 1, the Tan Trieu Ward U11 team finished second in its group with nine points, earning a place in the final round. One of the team's standout players is wing-back Bui Duc Anh.

Duc Anh has received formal football training for only about six months. At the end of 2025, while competing in the Tan Phu Primary School football tournament, teachers recognized his natural ability and introduced him to a football class at a club near his home. After just half a year of training, he earned a place in the starting lineup of the Tan Trieu Ward U11 team. With energetic performances and smooth transitions in both attack and defense, he quickly became an important member of the squad.

According to Bui Minh Hau, Duc Anh's father, the family always prioritizes his academic studies while supporting his passion for football. If he demonstrates the ability to pursue the sport in the future, the family will fully support him. Meanwhile, Pham Minh Duc, coach of the Tan Trieu Ward U11 team, said Duc Anh possesses strong natural ability but still needs to improve many fundamental techniques. Habits developed while playing amateur football should be corrected promptly to provide him with a stronger foundation if he intends to pursue a professional career.

The Bien Hoa Ward U11 team also continued to demonstrate its strength, topping its group with nine points. The team's standout player was striker Bach Tan Loc (No. 10), who scored 11 of the team's 24 goals in four qualifying matches. Despite his small stature, his agility, skill, and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Bach Tan Thanh, Tan Loc's father, said Tan Loc was introduced to football when he was just five or six years old. After recognizing his talent, the family decided to enroll him in a football training club at the age of seven, where he has trained ever since. According to Thanh, what pleases him most is that football has not only helped his son develop physically but also fostered his independence, discipline, and ability to integrate into a team. The family stands ready to support Tan Loc if he chooses to pursue a professional sports career.

Despite his impressive performances, Tan Loc retains the innocence typical of a child his age. His goal is simple: to continue training hard, improve his performance, and help his teammates achieve strong results in the upcoming final round.

Coach Nguyen Dinh Phong, who currently coaches the Bien Hoa Ward U11 team, said Tan Loc possesses a modern football mindset, strong individual technique, and a determined competitive spirit. Despite his small stature, he consistently challenges taller opponents for possession and often succeeds. His sharp attacking ability has played an important role in securing victories for the team.

Having been involved with the tournament for more than two decades, first as a referee and now as a coach, Phong has a clear understanding of its practical value. In his view, it serves not only as a beneficial summer sporting playground but also as one of the important nurseries for Dong Nai football. Over the years, many talented young players have been selected by professional football academies and successfully developed through structured training. Among them are Le Trong Dai Nhan of the U17 national team, Tran Duc Luong of the U19 national team, and Nguyen Duc Viet of the U23 national team.

Coaches dedicated to developing young football talents, including Nguyen Dinh Phong, Pham Minh Duc, and Nguyen Nhat Nam, shared the view that the Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Cup should continue to be maintained and expanded annually. The tournament provides a beneficial summer sporting playground while serving as an important venue for identifying talented players from an early age. With continued support from families, schools, and the sports sector, more children will have opportunities to receive proper training, providing high-quality resources for Dong Nai football in the future.

By An Nhon – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho