Vietnam’s Under-23 football team will play its Group B opening match against Brunei in the football competition at the 28th Southeast Asian Games on May 29 at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore.

U23 players seen during a training session.

According to the Vietnam Football Federation, Vietnam then take on Malaysia on June 2, Laos two days later, East Timor on June 7 and its last match against Thailand on June 10.

Vietnam, which have been always considered as one of the top candidates for the gold medal ahead of the game, have reached the final four time but never won a gold medal.

In Group A, Singapore will kick off their campaign with Philippines on June 1 at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

The team’s next opponents include Indonesia, Myanmar and Cambodia.

The top two in each group will advance to the semifinals, which will take place on June 13 at the Singapore National Stadium.

Source VNA

Ranked seventh with 17 points after 10 rounds has been an unexpected success for V.League newcomers Sanna Khanh Hoa.

Sanna Khanh Hoa players seen during a V.League match. The tournament’s surprise makers will play Quang Ninh Coal in the 11th round match at the Cam Pha Stadium, Quang Ninh Province, today. — VNS Photo

The central region team are expected to have an interesting tournament, especially after it defeated title favourites Ha Noi T&T last week.
“I am a little surprised with our position. However, it is a logical surprise,” said Coach Vo Dinh Tan. “Khanh Hoa are a united team with young players, who have played together for years, and some foreign players, who have helped us stay with the V.League 1.”
“In fact, we are nothing compared with other teams, but we know how to be powerful as a united team,” Tan added.
“We have carefully worked on our physical fitness and helped players perform with each other in harmony. We work out for every match and spend time studying our rivals. We are always loyal to the counter-attack style and players know that they must follow team discipline and the coach’s strategy,” he said.
This playing style has helped them tie 1-1 against Thanh Hoa, who stood third last season during the fourth round. Later they drew a match with former champions Song Lam Nghe An 2-2, and in the ninth round they tied with two-time winners SHB Da Nang.
Sanna Khanh Hoa have set their own record for not losing nine matches in a row. This weekend, Khanh Hoa will play against Quang Ninh Coal, who are currently in the third place.
Quang Ninh yesterday received a strong push after being promised six I Phone 6s from their fan club, which will be given to the players that showcase the best performance today.
In another activity, Ha Noi T&T will host the young team Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who landed in the capital city some days ago.
Despite being considered one of the strongest squads, T&T are struggling in the middle of the rankings table.
They are currently placed at the ninth spot with only 10 points, just two steps higher than their rivals, who are also trying to bag more points to avoid exiting the competition.
The team have some aged players, including 33-year-old goalkeeper Duong Hong Son and defenders Nguyen Hong Tien and Nguyen Van Bien, who turned 30 this year.
They will have to face Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Tuan Anh and Van Toan, who are skilful and known for their rapid speed.
Among T&T’s advantages is that they are home to Golden Ball winner Pham Thanh Luong and Bronze Ball holder Nguyen Van Quyet.
The team are also placing its trust in strikers Gonzallo Damian Marronkle and Hoang Vu Sam Son, who could make use of their height against Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who are not that good with high balls.
Another reason to root for the hosts winning is that Hoang Anh Gia Lai have lost all of their matches, while playing on away grounds.
With two wins and two draws after 10 matches, they are going to emerge as the worst Hoang Anh Gia Lai team in history.
In other stadiums, Song Lam Nghe An will welcome Can Tho; SHB Da Nang are to entertain Dong Thap, Thanh Hoa will visit Quang Nam; Dong Nai are awaiting Dong Tam Long An and the defending champions Binh Duong will face Hai Phong.

Source VNS

The Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) has invited Nguyen Thanh Son to be an assistant to national team manager Toshyia Miura.

Son is acting coach of the V.League 1 champions Becamex Binh Duong.

Apart from Son, the VFF has also invited Tran Cong Minh, former national defender, to be one of the assistant coaches and Nguyen Quoc Tuan, of Hoang Anh Gia Lai, as the goalkeeper coach. They are to work for the U23 team.

The Japanese manager will also take charge of the national team where he will be assisted by Ngo Quang Sang, coach of Dong Tam Long An, keeper trainer Nguyen Duc Canh and Norimatsu Takashi, manager of the national women’s squad.

The U23 players will compete at the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in June. They will gather for training on May 5. Meanwhile the national side will take part in the World Cup qualifier, which is also the Asian Cup qualifying round, starting on June 11.

Nhan wins 13th stage

Nguyen Luu Thanh Nhan came first in the 13th stage of the 27th HCM City Television Cycling Cup yesterday.

Nhan of Mathnasium-HCM City rode solo for the last 2km of the 134km-long stage from Tuy Hoa to Nha Trang City, which he completed in 3:34.38.

Chau Hong Hau and Nguyen Van Duc of VTV Can Tho came second and third.

Nguyen Minh Viet of BTV Binh Duong took the yellow jersey for the best time of 34:44.48 after 13 stages. Quang Van Cuong of Ha Noi and Nguyen Hoang Giang of Gao Hat Ngoc Troi An Giang are runners-up.

Viet also heads to take the white jersey as the best young cyclist. The green jersey award for the best sprinter went to Le Van Duan of VUS-HCM City with 77 points.

Athletes will continue on to the 14th stage around Tran Phu Road in Nha Trang City today.

Thanh to play for Can Tho

Hai Phong’s halfback Dinh Tien Thanh will play for Can Tho under a six-month loan contract between the two teams.

Thanh, who was member of the national U19 team, will be in Can Tho’s line-up at tomorrow’s match with Song Lam Nghe An in the Toyota V.League 1’s 11th round.

After 10 rounds, Can Tho are at the bottom of the ranking with five points.

VNS