HÀ NỘI — Đồng Tháp won the National U19 Football Tournament after beating defending champions Hà Nội 3-2 in a penalty shootout at Tự Do Stadium in Huế City yesterday.

Trần Công Minh scored the winning spot-kick for Đồng Tháp, holding his nerve to beat goalkeeper Dương Tùng Lâm of Hà Nội.

The match finished scoreless in normal time.

The capital team dominated from the opening whistle. In the 15th minute, Lê Văn Nam broke Đồng Tháp’s offside trap but couldn’t beat the Đồng Tháp goalkeeper Lê Nhựt Huy to open the scoring.

Đồng Tháp then fought back strongly to create several openings but they failed to capitalise.

Taking full advantage of a Hà Nội defensive error, Công Minh headed for goal, however Lâm was equal to the test.

After the break, the two sides changed their players and tactics to seek a goal.

In the 80th minute, midfielder Đặng Văn Tới nearly netted for Hà Nội as he coolly put his header past the goalie Lê Nhựt Huy but the ball hit the crossbar.

Tới is considered one of best players of this year’s tournament.

With only three minutes left, Hà Nội were reduced to 10 men as midfielder Nguyễn Hồng Sơn was sent off for two bookable offences..

Both sides made every effort to break the deadlock in two minutes of extra time but no goals were scored.

To reach the final, Đồng Tháp defeated Viettel 2-0 in the semi-finals, while Hà Nội bested Sông Lam Nghệ An 4-2 in a penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 in 90 minutes.

The event saw the participation of seven teams who passed the qualifying round and the hosts Thừa Thiên Huế.

After this tournament, the best players will be selected for the Việt Nam U19 team to compete in the International U19 Football Tournament held in Pleiku City in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai on March 21-31. — VNS