SGXT fail to make AFC progress
Sai Gon Xuan Thanh (SGXT) missed the chance to qualify for the final 16 yesterday, March 13. With one game in hand, the team failed to score against India’s East Bengal in the second round of the AFC Cup.
A boring match ended goalless, as neither team were well-connected or cohesive enough to score a single goal throughout the 90-minute game.
SGXT enjoyed more possession in the first 20 minutes of the first half, when East Bengal relied on frequent counter-attacks.
The home team was easily kept at bay by an organised and disciplined defence, but there was a lack of connection and cohesion up front, where Emeka Ndubuisi Oguwike and Christian Jose Nsi Amougou were largely unsuccessful.
The match started to sparkle when East Bengal decided to commit more players to the other half of the field, but their attacking players were no better than the home team.
SGXT came close to opening the score in the second half when Moses’s header was just inches away from the post, but the rest of the second half was most notable for stupid mistakes.
“I was delighted with the score because some key players did not recover from their injuries so we had to field some young players,” SGXT’s head coach, Tran Tien Dai, said.
Meanwhile, East Bengal’s head coach, Trevor Morgan, was happy with the one point his team got at Thong Nhat Stadium, although he had expected better performance from his players.
“We did not have much of a showing today, but I was delighted with the one point we got in this match because SGXT had some good players,” said Morgan.
SHB Da Nang, the other Vietnamese competitor in the AFC Cup, had a more impressive showing. The team secured a ticket to the next round with one game in hand.
Le Huynh Duc’s players overcame Maziya of the Maldives 3-2 yesterday at the national stadium, Male, in their second match at the competition.
Hue to host short-course swimming champ
Around 18 athletes will compete in the National Short-Course Swimming and Finswimming Championship at Thua Thien-Hue Aquatic Sports Centre on March 16-23, the Viet Nam Aquatic Sports Association said yesterday.
Finswimmers from 10 teams nationwide will contest for 24 medal sets on March 16-18, while the swimmers take part in their competition from March 19-23 in a 25m pool.
All national team members will also take part in the event as a crucial test following the break for the Tet holidays.
Dac Lac reign supreme in national kickboxing cup
Dac Lac have emerged victorious from the men’s division of the National Kick-boxing Clubs Cup held in the Central Highlands province of Dac Lac.
The team brought home three golds, two silvers and one bronze. Nghe An 1 came second with three golds, one silver and three bronzes, while HCM City finished third with one gold, one silver and two bronzes.
In the women’s competition, An Giang took the title with two golds and one bronze. Gia Lai finished second with one gold, two silvers and one bronze, while Tay Ninh came in third with one gold and one silver.
The one-week event attracted the participation of 200 kickboxers representing 25 teams from across the country.
Ha Nam’s women take control of football tourney
Phong Phu Ha Nam beat Ha Noi 2 1-0 in the second round of the first leg of the National Women’s Football Championship-Thai Son Bac Cup in the northern province of Ha Nam on Tuesday.
Ha Nam looked to take advantage of home support from the outset, but failed to break the deadlock before half-time.
After the break, the hosts continued to press and were finally rewarded in the 82nd minute with a goal from Vu Thi Thuy.
The win puts Ha Nam on top of the table with six points.
The annual competition has attracted the participation of six teams.
The first stage of the championship will run until March 26, and the second leg is scheduled from June 9 to 22 at Ha Nam Stadium.
The HCM City and Ha Noi teams have been touted as leading contenders for the championship.
VNN/VNS