FOOTBALL DREAMS 2009 IN VIETNAM

The programme which is part of a global talent identification drive, began in Ho Chi Minh City on 19 March 2009 where local boys aged between 13 and 15-years-old are encouraged to take part.

It is the second year that the Football Dreams has been organised in Vietnam with the participation of all 63 provinces and cities.

Qualifying rounds will be held at 70 stadiums nationwide from April to July to select 176 boys for the second round, during which 50 finalists will be chosen for the final round under the direct supervision of Aspire experts.

Following a five-day training session, three most outstanding players will be selected where they will be sent to Qatar to join their peers from other countries in a month-long training course.

Last January, Phan Kien Trung from Ho Chi Minh City, Doan Hoai An and Ngo Di Cu, both from southern Ca Mau province were selected.

These boys were trained by international football experts and played in friendly matches with young teams of world acclaimed football clubs such as AC Milan of Italy and Bayer Leverkusen of Germany.

As many as 12,000 Vietnamese players, all aged 13, participated in the Football Dreams 2008, which was held in nine countries where close to 700,000 boys showed off their talents.

Launched by the Aspire Academy, the Football Dreams has been held for years in Africa, South America and Asia.

This year, the programme is scheduled to take place in 11 countries worldwide, including Vietnam and Thailand.