The Vietnam-Japan U13 international football tournament kicked off in the southern province of Binh Duong on March 18 as part of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations ahead in 2023.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio expressed his hope that the junior football tournament would greatly contribute to further developing the relationship between the two countries.
The tournament, the fourth of its kind, features eight Vietnamese and Japanese teams, including Kawasaki Frontale Dream Team, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai FCs.
The teams divided into two groups are playing in a one-round robin format to select winners. On the final day of competition (March 20) there will be a special All Star match which is set to consist of the best players from the various participating teams.
The sidelines of the tournament will see a Vietnam-Japan culture exchange festival take place in Binh Duong city that will include art performances, food shows and sports games.
The junior football tournament was first held in 2018 to mark 45 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. It had since taken place annually between 2018 and 2020, featuring the participation of four Vietnamese and four Japanese teams.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the competition was cancelled in 2021. This year only Kawasaki Frontale Dream Team represented Japan at the tournament.
