Nam Dinh won the trophy at the Thanh Nien Newspaper-sponsored National U-21 Football Championship after beating Binh Duong 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out on Sunday in Binh Duong Province.

After the two main halves, the teams drew 1-1.

The victory completed a contest of exciting football, and ushered in a bright future for the local sport with the many talents proving their mettle.

Despite heavy rain, the two teams played all out from the first minute of the match, creating a great deal of excitement.

Hosts Binh Duong had the first chance to score a goal in the 21st minute of the first half, when Ngoc Hung broke the offside snare to crush Nam Dinh's goalkeeper Tien Tao.

Later, Nam Dinh took full advantage of their diversified attacks to put pressure on their rival. In the 62nd minute, from a penalty corner, Anh Quan headed in the ball and levelled the score for the visitors.

In the remaining minutes, the two teams tried their best to score goals at Go Dau Stadium, full of mud from the heavy rains, but to no avail.

Apart from the championship trophy Nam Dinh players also pocketed the cash prize of VND250 million (US$11,900). Runner-up Binh Duong took VND120 million ($5,700) while Dong Nai and Song Lam Nghe An shared the third-placed bonus of VND60 million ($2,900) each.

The best player title of the tournament went to Nam Dinh's Lam Anh Quang and goalie Tien Tao was voted best goalkeeper, while Binh Duong's Trinh Hoai Nam won the best scorer title.

Outstanding players of the competition will be selected to partake in the International Under-21 Football Tournament, scheduled in Gia Lai from September 25 to October 4.

The tournament, recognised by the Asian Football Confederation as an international championship for younger players, draws teams from Iran, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar' Aspire Academy and several Vietnamese teams.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News