Hanoi T&T were crowned as national U19 football champions for the third time after defeating Viettel 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out in the final match on March 27.
The Hanoi derby between the two leading youth clubs took place in a tense atmosphere as both teams possessed lineups of quality players.

Despite a number of scoring opportunities created during the first half, it was not until the 41st minute that Viettel were put ahead with Hoang Minh’s opener from close range.

Viettel could have preserved their advantage and secured the overall victory, however due to goalkeeper Thanh Tung’s mistake in the 74th minute taking down Thanh Chung in the goals, Hanoi was presented with a penalty shot on goal.

Tuan Hai did not miss the golden chance to equalise the score for the T&T team, thereby forcing the match to be decided on penalties.

The penalty shootout saw Viettel goalie Thanh Tung’s unsuccessful performance as he was unable to block any shots on goal by the Hanoi team. Meanwhile, Hanoi keeper Do Sy Huy brilliantly saved the fifth shot on goal by Trong Dai, securing the 5-4 win and the trophy for Hanoi T&T.

With the 2016 title, Hanoi T&T have become the first team in history to win the National U19 Championship three times, after their victories in 2011 and 2014. Coincidentally, Hanoi’s three crowns have all been secured via penalty shootouts.

The T&T team’s joy was multiplied as their goalkeeper Do Sy Huy and striker Pham Tuan Hai were respectively named the best goalkeeper and top scorer (six goals). Meanwhile, Viettel striker Nguyen Hoang Duc was voted as the most valuable player of the tournament.

HFF