Girls from Khoksivilay Secondary School and a boys’ team from Naxaithong district celebrate after winning trophies at a football tournament in Vientiane on Saturday.

Junior footballers triumph in Coca-Cola Cup

The winning U-17 boys and girls football teams were delighted with their successes in the Copa Coca-Cola 2022 Minister of Education and Sports’ Cup, with the final of the tournament taking place at the Lanxang Stadium in Vientiane on Saturday. 
Matches played on the day were the culmination of a week of face-offs between young players from May 14-21.
The event was a friendly competition between secondary school students from Vientiane and the provinces, with the aim of improving their skills and setting them on the road to a brighter future in the sport.
At the end of the day, the girls of Khoksivilay Secondary School in Xaythany district lifted a trophy after beating a team from Vientiane province 1-0.
In the boys’ tournament, a team from Naxaithong district in Vientiane narrowly beat a team from Champassak province after winning 4-3 in a penalty shoot following a full-time score of 0-0.
Each of the winning teams received 70 million kip.
The competition organising committee awarded cups for good behaviour on the pitch and to the top scorer and the best goalkeeper.
The event also comprised other activities and souvenirs were distributed among the enthusiastic spectators, who were vocal in their support for their teams.
The tournament was contested by U-17 boys and girls teams from seven districts in Vientiane and from 10 provinces.
The young players taking part in the competition are in with a chance to progress to the national level and may have the opportunity to join the national teams competing at international football events.
The sponsor Coca-Cola will continue to support junior football events and every year allocates funding with the hope of inspiring young players and motivating them to progress in the sport.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update May 24, 2022)