Vietnam Championship. V-League U19
The V-League U19 is Vietnam's premier national youth football championship for players under 19, run by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). It acts as a vital breeding ground for spotting young talents who will eventually grace the professional V.League 1 squads and the national team, fostering the growth of Vietnamese soccer at its grassroots level.
History and foundation
Launched in 2005 as part of VFF's youth development overhaul, the competition began as U21 before shifting to U19 in 2018 to align with AFC standards. Key moments include the Ho Chi Minh City Police University's dominance in the 2010s and Hanoi's stunning 2020 title win with a 5-0 final thrashing. The 2022 season faced COVID disruptions but returned with enhanced rules emphasizing technical prowess and tactics.
Tournament format
The tournament follows a two-phase format: a round-robin regular season where teams play home and away, followed by a playoff among the top 6 for the championship. It features 12-14 teams from V.League 1 and 2 academies, held on semi-pro stadiums with strict age and medical checks. The season kicks off in March and wraps up in October.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, driven by swift counters and set pieces. All-time top scorer Nguyen Quang Hai netted 42 goals from 2015-2017 for Hanoi's academy before national team stardom. Standouts include Phan Van Duc, whose dribbling dazzled in 2021, and Le Van Fuk, Hoang Anh's attack leader with 28 goals last season. The league has launched careers like Quang Hai's, fueling dreams of European moves.