USSH Cup 2014 and unexpected beginnings

The resounding success of the 2013 USSH Champions League men's football tournament, both on and off the field, presented a significant challenge for the Organizing Committee of the 2014 USSH Cup women's football tournament: to live up to fans' expectations. In fact, prior to the tournament, the Organizing Committee meticulously prepared in all aspects: establishing a Match Organizing Committee, a Secretariat, a Communications Committee, and a Logistics Committee, primarily comprised of enthusiastic students. Simultaneously, the Organizing Committee tasked the Communications Committee with designing the logo, trailer, and promotional photos for the tournament; building communication channels for the tournament on Facebook, YouTube, and the website tuoitrenhanvan.com; and printing posters, banners, etc.

On the morning of April 5th, 2014, the opening ceremony of the USSH Cup 2014 Women's Football Tournament of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, was held with great fanfare. The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests: Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – Head of the Sports Department, Center for Physical Education and Sports, VNU Hanoi; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh – Vice Rector, President of the University Sports Association, Head of the Tournament Organizing Committee; Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Lan – President of the University Student Association, Head of the Organizing Committee;… along with 16 teams from 16 student unions and associations, and a large number of students from within and outside the university. The ceremony was further enlivened by vibrant cheerleading performances from the Sol Art Club and the Rumbo Cheerleading Club of the university.

The USSH Cup 2014, organized by the Youth Union and Student Association of the University, with media support from Chuoi Studio, will take place from April 5th to May 10th, 2014 at the C500 Stadium – People's Security Academy, every Saturday. Sixteen teams, divided into four groups, will compete in 32 matches, promising to promote the quality of the USSH Cup women's football, create a beneficial sporting event for students, foster unity among faculties and departments, and connect generations of students at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Immediately after the opening ceremony, the first round of the USSH Cup 2014 took place with 8 matches divided into two sessions, morning and afternoon. While the morning session saw a goal drought at the C500 stadium, the afternoon matches were much more exciting with significantly more goals. Contrary to many predictions, the teams considered stronger did not achieve the best results in the first round of the group stage. The biggest surprise was the 2012 USSH Cup runner-up, the Anthropology Department, losing 0-3 to newcomer Political Science and finishing last in Group A. Meanwhile, the 2012 USSH Cup champion, the History Department, only managed to secure 1 point against the Archival and Office Management Department, a team considered weaker in many aspects. Thus, the first round of the group stage left many lasting impressions on the fans. The consecutive stumbles of the big teams foreshadow a very unpredictable USSH Cup season, and there will certainly be many more exciting surprises from now until the end of the tournament.

Information about the tournament will be continuously updated on the USSH Cup 2014 fanpage and website.www.tuoitrenhanvan.comWith numerous articles and analyses on match results as well as stories from off the field, fans can also follow the USSH Cup 2014 Diary program, featuring commentary from "experts," via the USSH Cup 2014 YouTube channel.