Back to this time 2 years ago when a friendly match between Vietnamese students in Birmingham and Leeds was held in Leeds . The result of the match wasn't so important but what happened after has affected all Vietnamese students in the UK up until now. Soon after the match finished, our football lovers sat down besides the pints. An innocent idea of a football tournament between Vietnamese students all over the UK was inspirited. This idea was quickly passed around the UK and Nottingham Viet-soc decided to host the first Tournament in Easter 2003. There were 12 best teams from North to South, East to West of the UK , e.g. London , Cambridge , Leeds, York … with more than 300 players, supporters and spectators. After 2 days, the home team Nottingham 1 won the first Champion; London 3 became the runner up. With the successfulness of this SVUK cup, most of students agreed that the event should become an annual event for Vietnamese student community in the UK . And in the year 2004, city of Cambridge with young Cambridge Vietnamese Society made the SVUK Cup II the biggest activities ever for students. 20 teams participated in 3 days Tournament at The Leys Sport Centre, city of Cambridge . Especially, there was a Guest came from the other side of the English Channel, a team of Vietnamese student in France . Nearly 500 people experienced not o­nly the atmosphere of a Champion Cup, but also spent the great time together. Supporters and players did have the most enjoyable time with excited special games of Cambridge : The Punting. Moreover, along with Football Tournament is a Snooker cup also organized by Cambridge . Finally, London 3, the ex-runner raised the Cup after a terrifying match with team from France . The winning o­nly came to Londoner after the heartbreak Penalty shot out. London 1 and Nottingham 1 share the 3 rd place. This is actually a really successful event for both the Organizer and Participants o­ne-year time has gone so quick, now, this is time for us to think about the 3 rd Tournament. Birmingham , the 2 nd biggest city in the UK has been chosen by majority of Vietnamese student all over the UK to host of SVUK cup III.

RESULTS:

GROUP 1:

Bristol - London1: 1-2
Oxford - Soton: 2-2
London1 - Oxford: 4-0
Soton - Bristol: 3-0
Bristol - Oxford: 0-8
Soton - London: 0-3

GROUP 2:

YorkScar - London3: 0-0
Northampton - Manchester: 2-1
London3 - Northampton: 2-0
Manchester - YorkScar: 1-0
London3 - Manchester: 3-0
YorkScar - Northampton: 0-1

GROUP 3:

Leeds - Birmingham: 0-0
Leicester - North London: 1-0
Birmingham - North London: 2-0
Leeds - Leicester: 1-0
Leeds - North London: 2-2
Birmingham - Leicester: 3-1

GROUP 4:

Nottingham1 - Norwich: 2-2
Newcastle - London2: 2-1
Nottingham1 - Newcastle: 1-2
Norwich - London2: 0-1
Newcastle - Norwich: 1-2
Nottingham - London2: 2-0



QUATER - FINALS:

London3 - Oxford 3-0
London1 - Northampton 2-1
Newcastle - Leeds 1-1 (penalty: 1-0)
Birmingham - Nottingham 3-0

SEMI - FINALS:

London3 - Newcastle: 2-1
London1 - Birmingham: 1-0

FINALS:

London3 - London1: 3-1



London3 did it o­nce again, with a great goalkeeper, good defense and excelent attacking tactic. LD3 played with power, skills and precision, scoring 13 goals in 6 games (not much but not little either) and didn't give up a goal until the quarter final. They finished with o­nly 2 goals against and got the "goalkeeper of the tournament" award ( along with the golden trophy. Their defense was anchored by Lâm Bambino-captain and their attacking force was lead by Thế Anh. While Lâm used his leadership and vision to stop the opponent and start every LD3 attacks, Thế Anh was at the other end of most of them, using his skill and power to finish them off. At the end of the tournament, Thế Anh finished with 5 goals, o­ne behind Đàm Anh-winner of the golden boot award, and almost half of LD3 goals.

Stunningly but not suprisingly, LONDON3 successfully defended their title!

Written by Trần Việt Thụy A2 0306
Edited by Nguyễn Hoài Anh A2 0104
Submitted by Le Huy Hoang L2 0003