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U-19 Vietnam qualify for 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup

A sparkling page was written in the history of Vietnamese football when the country’s U-19 team slipped past Bahrain 1-0 on the night of October 23, making its way through to the semifinals of the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship, as well as the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time ever.

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In the match with Bahrain, constant attacks were deployed on each side right from the start; however, the brilliance of the two goalkeepers prevented anyone from scoring during the first two thirds of the quarterfinal match.

It was not until the 72nd minute that Tran Thanh claimed a decisive goal for Vietnam with a cunning close-range shot.

With time running out, Vietnam proactively played defensively to protect the narrow gap, which created a lot of difficulties for Bahrain to break through and turned their hopes for an equaliser into smoke.

Niềm vui chiến thắng của U19 Việt Nam

The historic victory against Bahrain lifted Vietnam into the AFC semifinals against the winners of the October 24 clash between Japan and Tajikistan.

More importantly, as the AFC semifinalists, Vietnam have officially booked a first-ever place in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea.

Saudi Arabia followed Vietnam in advancing after edging out Iraq 6-5 in a penalty shootout on the same day. Next up for Saudi will be a semifinal match against the winners of the encounter between Uzbekistan and Iran.

U19 Viet Nam: Tiến Dũng, Việt Anh, Tấn Tài, Tấn Sinh, Văn Hậu, Văn Hào (Đức Chinh 56′), Tiến Dụng, Trọng Đại, Quang Hải (Hữu Lâm 90’+3), Minh Dĩ, Trần Thành (Hoàng Nam 80′).

U19 Bahrain: Yusuf Habib, Ahmed, Jameel, Alshamsan, Ali (Hashim 72′), Marhoon, Aziz, Ebrahim (Alnaar 60′), H.Ali (Albureshaid 65′), Jassim, Saleh.

HFF

 

Vietnam through to AFC U-19 quarterfinals in historic first

Vietnam has made it through to the quarterfinals of the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship for the first time in history after holding five-time champions Iraq in a goalless draw in their last Group B clash on October 20. 

U19 Việt Nam

Ahead of the match, Vietnam stood second in the group with four points, three above the third-place team, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A draw with Iraq would secure Vietnam a place in the quarterfinals regardless of the result of the matchup between the UAE and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Given that fact, Vietnam fought bravely and cautiously from the start, allowing the Iraqi players to produce just three shots on the goal, despite the fact that they held the ball better.

The UAE seized the chance to advance when they coming from behind to beat the DPRK 3-1; however, that Vietnam tied 0-0 with Iraq turned their hopes into smoke.

With one win over the DPRK and two draws against the UAE and Iraq, Vietnam completed their group-stage campaign in second place overall with five points, thereby joining leaders Iraq as Group B representatives in the quarterfinal round.

Next up for Vietnam will be a quarterfinal clash with hosts Bahrain on October 23. If victorious, coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his players will not only make the semifinals but also secure a place in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, to be held in the Republic of Korea.

Vietnam beat DPRK 5-2 in int’l football friendly

Home spectators at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City were thrilled on the evening of October 6 as Vietnam thrashed the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) 5-2 in an international friendly match – the first win secured by Vietnam in their last five meetings with the East Asian team.

Niềm vui chiến thắng của các cầu thủ tuyển Việt Nam

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The guests brought to Vietnam a lineup of stars, including veteran goalkeeper Ri Myung Guk; Pak Kwang Ryong, who once played in the Champions League; and Jong II Gwan, one of the best players in Asia at present.

It was not so surprising that DPRK opened the scoring. After 14 minutes of play, Pak Kwang Ryong converted Kim Kuk Bom’s cross into an opener for the guests with a curler into the far bottom corner of the goal.

The early goal by the visitors ignited the fighting spirit of the host players, enabling them to tie the score thanks to Tuan Anh’s cunning finish in the 32nd minute. It was Tuan Anh’s first goal for the national team so far.

Six minutes into the second half, Vietnam launched a successful attack when Van Toan stole the ball from a DPRK defender and delivered a cross to Vietnamese captain Le Cong Vinh who fired the ball in from close range, making the score 2-1.

Pak Kwang Ryong restored parity for DPRK just one minute later; however, the three eye-catching goals, scored by Van Thanh, Xuan Truong and Thanh Luong in the remainder of the match put the game to bed with an aggregate 5-2 victory for Vietnam.

The resounding win over such a strong team as DPRK is a perfect warm-up for Vietnam ahead of the 2016 AFF Championship, known as the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup, scheduled to take place from November 19 to December 17 in Myanmar and the Philippines.

Rio: Rashford the best striker in England

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes the form of Marcus Rashford this season makes him the best English forward in the Premier League.

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Despite being used mostly from the bench this season, behind the likes of Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the pecking order, Rashford has already scored five times for the Red Devils, three of which have come in their last three games.

“I think Marcus Rashford should be selected for the senior squad next week and be unleashed against Malta,” he wrote in the Evening Standard.

“Including his hat-trick for the U21s against Norway earlier this month, no English striker has scored more goals since he made his professional debut in February.

“I don’t care how old you are, that record warrants a place in the squad. He has been the best striker in this country since February in terms of output – the statistics don’t lie.”Source Foxsports

Wenger pleased with Arsenal quality

Arsene Wenger praised the quality of his side’s performance in their 2-0 victory over Basel on Wednesday night – although he would have preferred a few more goals.

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Theo Walcott netted twice at the Emirates Stadium but with both his goals coming in the first half, Wenger felt they “eased off a bit in the second half.”

Speaking after the match, the Gunners boss told the club’s official website: “I would like to congratulate my team for the quality of what they produced tonight.

“My only regret is that we didn’t take enough of the chances that we created. It’s a good basis to have a taste for more.”

He added: “We eased off a bit in the second half and we couldn’t score the third goal. We still had plenty of chances but it’s tough to maintain that pace, accuracy in the passing and speed in the game over 90 minutes. The first half was top, top quality like what we produced against Chelsea.

“It’s down to hard work of course, but also belief and belief comes with the last results. The confidence comes with the last result. We were a bit edgy at home for a few games but now it looks like we are playing with full pace and power.

“Now it’s down to us to continue to improve.”

Walcott, whose goals were both set up by Alexis Sanchez, said that he’s developing a good relationship with the Chilean, and his teammates as a whole.

He said: “It’s getting a good sort of partnership there, but it’s not just that, the whole team seems to be clicking. Me and Hector (Bellerin) have got a good relationship on that right-hand side, it’s quite a pacy right-hand side.

“I think the whole team tends to react well and defend well as a unit and clean sheets are going to win games because we’re going to score plenty of goals. That combination between me and Alexis, it’s boding well but it’s obviously still very early into the season, so hopefully we can all stay fit and it’s going to be a good run.

Source Foxsports

Simeone: I feel lucky

Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid’s performance in their 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night was one of the best he has seen from his side.

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Atletico edged their German rivals with a 35th minute Yannick Carrasco strike that he powered past Manuel Neuer after latching onto an Antoine Griezmann ball and racing through into the box.

After the match, a beaming Simeone told the club’s official website: “I feel lucky to be the manager of these players. They play with a passion and a commitment that is very difficult to achieve.”

He added: “I liked everything from today. The team pressured very well at the top. It also interpreted well going on the counterattack and when they had to suffer, they suffered. We played against one of the best rivals in the world. It has been one of the best performances we have made.”

A clearly moved Simeone then expressed what this ‘moment’ meant for him as a coach.

He concluded: “In life, there are moments that are difficult to repeat, and the one we are living is one of them regarding management, football, stands and the opportunity to have a fantastic stadium to come. They are moments that are not going to come back.”

Source Foxsports

Fortune urges United to use Rooney

Former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune has urged Jose Mourinho to find a way to utilise captain Wayne Rooney effectively.

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Rooney was dropped last Saturday for the clash against champions Leicester City after a few sub-standard performances early in the campaign – as United ran riot scoring four goals in the first half.

Despite the 4-1 win over the Foxes, Fortune feels Rooney is far from finished and that he still has a huge role to play at Old Trafford.

“No way in a million years am I going to say he’s finished,” the South African said at Soccerex.

“You need to have Wayne around the place. You find me a player with his influence, his history in the game, his experience.

“You speak to the players at Manchester United and how important he is on the pitch and off the pitch,” he added. “If I were at United, I would squeeze as much as possible out of Wayne.”

The 30-year-old has scored one goal in six league games this season.

Source Foxsports

Handanovic: Problems are in our heads

Inter Milan goalkeeper Samir Handanovic wants his side to overcome their mental disadvantage ahead of the Europa League tie with Sparta Prague on Thursday.

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The Nerazzurri head to the Generali Arena looking for their first win of the tournament after losing 2-0 at home to Hapoel Be’er Sheva two weeks ago and the Slovenian insists that they go into the match with a fresh attitude.

“We often go into games at a disadvantage and the problem isn’t only technical, but also in the head,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“We’re growing and we can only get better. Each game has its own importance, against Sparta Prague it won’t be easy and we mustn’t repeat the mistakes of Lazio, who were eliminated by the Czechs last season.”

Inter bounced back from that shock defeat to the Israeli side by engineering a surprise of their own and beating Juventus 2-1, followed by a 2-0 win over Empoli before last weekend’s draw with Bologna.

Sparta, meanwhile, also suffered disappointment in their first Group K encounter, losing 3-0 to Southampton, and recently lost 2-0 in their derby clash with Slavia Prague.

Source Foxsports

Benteke injury blow for Palace

Crystal Palace striker Jonathan Benteke has suffered a major blow after injuring his knee in training with the Premier League club.

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The 21-year-old younger brother of Christian Benteke made his debut for the Eagles recently and was set to play a big role this season after impressing manager Alan Pardew.

But the off-season signing from Zulte-Waregem now faces up to four months on the sidelines, according to Pardew.

“It is going to keep him out of action for a good three or four months. It is a shame for him, and us as a group. The meniscus in his knee looks a problem,” the Palace boss told reporters.

“It happened in training. His knee locked when he was doing a finishing drill. It can happen. He will need an operation.”