Women’s football team prepares for ASIAD 17
The national women’s football team on September 3 flew to China for a training camping preparation for the upcoming 2014 Asian Games (ASIAD 17) to take place in Incheon, the Republic of Korea later this month.
During the training camp, the team plays a friendly match with a Chinese team on September 5. Upon returning to Vietnam, they plan to continue training at the Hanoi National Sport Training Center.
Previously, chief coach Mai Duc Chung announced a list of players selected to take part in ASIAD 17.
Accordingly, seven players were cut from the team namely Huynh Nhu, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Vu Thi Thuy Nguyen Thi Ngoc, Le Thu Thanh Huong, Tran thi Hong Linh and goalkeeper KimThanh.
Seven U23 players ousted from ASIAD 17 line-up
Coach Toshiya Miura has officially reduced the men’s football U23 squad roster for the upcoming Asian Games competition to just 20 players, cutting it by seven.
The seven players failing to meet the Japanese coach’s requirements are Khac Ngoc, Sy Sa, and Ngoc Duc (Song Lam Nghe An FC), Van Thuan and Minh Hai (Hanoi FC), Van Thanh (Hanoi TT FC) and Anh Tuan (SHB Danang FC).
The reductions were made following a friendly match between Vietnam’s U23 squad and the national team on September 2.
U23 Vietnam are scheduled to fly to Incheon, the Republic of Korea, on September 11 for ASIAD 17 clashes from Sept. 18 to Oct. 4.
According to a recent draw in the men’s football event, Vietnam will play Iran and Kyrgyzstan in Group H.
Bao signs deal to coach Thanh Hoa next season
Coach Vu Quang Bao has agreed to lead V-League’s Thanh Hoa in the 2015 season.
Bao, who bid farewell to Quang Nam last week, will arrive at Thanh Hoa in the coming days. His one-year contract will be extended every year based on the performance of the team, which finished third in the 2013-14 season.
“Several clubs wanted my autograph, but after careful consideration, I found Thanh Hoa to be the best for me,” said Bao, who was expected to lead his new team to a better performance in the coming season.
The Nghe An Province-born coach will receive VND500million (US$23,800) to be Thanh Hoa’s manager and a VND50 million (2,380) salary per month. However, in case the team drops out of the top three, Bao could only pocket VND250 million ($11,900).
Binh Duong to host Toyota Mekong Club Championship
Binh Duong will host the Toyota Mekong Club Championship 2014 from October 31 to November 2 in the province’s Go Dau Stadium, according to the Viet Nam Football Federation.
Four teams from Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar will participate in the championship, which aims to build a playing ground for football champions in the sub-Mekong region’s countries.
The V-League 2014’s defending champion Becamex Binh Duong will represent Viet Nam in the three-day tournament.
The teams will be divided into two groups that will compete in a knock-out round. The two leading teams after this round will fight for the title, while the two losing teams will play for the third position.
Miura beefs up U23’s with national team players
Coach Toshiya Miura has added national team members Que Ngoc Hai, Vo Huy Toan and Ngo Hoang Thinh to the U23 team that will compete at the Incheon Asian Games later this month.
The Japanese coach earlier dropped seven players from the team following a practice match against the national team where the U23s lost 1-3 on Tuesday.
The newcomers will don the national team jersey against Hong Kong in Hai Phong on Saturday before joining the U23s in Ha Noi.
The team will leave for South Korea on September 11.
A total of 29 teams will compete in the event, which kicks off on September 14. They are divided into eight groups, with Viet Nam joining Iran and Kyrgyzstan in Group H.
The Vietnamese U23s are expected to earn a ticket to the second round.
Viet Nam play its first match against Iran at Ansan Wa Stadium on September 15.
Minh enters third round of VN Open
Another dominant performance and another straight-set win sent top Vietnamese badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh to the third round of the Yonex Sunrise Vietnam GP Open.
Third-seeded Minh on September 3 took 41 minutes to beat unseeded Mahbub Thomi Azizan of Indonesia, 21-17, 21-15, in their first meeting at an international tournament.
Opting to taking an aggressive stance in the match, Minh began strongly and attacked with powerful smashes. His game plan worked as the he quickly took a commanding lead, with the margin never falling below three points, before finishing the set at 21-17.
The four-time champion built an even bigger lead early in the second set as he raced to 5-0, then 14-8, then 18-11, though Azizan forced Minh into some long rallies, which drew rounds of applause from supporters.
The Indonesian managed to reduce the deficit to 19-15, but unsuccessful smashes and long shuttles killed him off as Minh claimed the set, 21-15.
Minh will next Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub of Malaysia today.
Organisers had to move the games to Tan Binh Indoor Gymnasiu after a part of the ceiling of Phan Dinh Phung Indoor Gymnasium, the tournament venue since 2008, crumbled during a badminton match. Nobody was hurt.
The incident sparked changes in schedule and forced some players to play their matches later in the day. Organisers had to send buses to move players from their hotels, which are just a few minutes walk from the original venue, to the new venue.
Players who competed on Tuesday night at the former venue expressed sympathy for the organisers and said the change of venue had not caused any problems.
“I think it was beyond the organisers’ control, so we have to accept the cha nge. But everything had been handled well, and we didn’t have any problems concerning the schedule as well as transportation,” said Indian player Ajay Jayaram, who has competed in previous tournaments.
“Everything is OK and the facility is good,” he added. Jayaram also entered the third round after overcoming Hsuan Yi Hsueh of Chinese Taipei 21-15, 21-18.
Young player Tan Chee Thean, who was not at the stadium on Tuesday night and is competing in the event for the first time, said the change of stadium did not worry him because everything was under control and he has yet to play a match.
Vietnamese young hopeful Pham Cao Cuong wasted two match points to allow Hashiru Shimono of Japan to stage a come-from-behind victory, 21-14, 14-21, 12-21.
Another hopeful, Pham Hoang Nam, also failed to qualify as he lost to Kean Yew Loh of Singapore in the first round.
Women’s team leave for China
The Vietnamese national women’s football team left for China today for a friendly match with the Chinese national team on Friday.
Before leaving, coach Mai Duc Chung selected 18 players for the match in China. This is also the official national team that will take part in the 17th Asian Games to be held in Incheon, South Korea, from September 19 to October 4.
Seven players were dropped, namely Kim Thanh, Huynh Nhu, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Vu Thi Thuy, Nguyen Thi Ngoc, Thanh Huong and Hong Linh.
After the match in China, the team will return to the Ha Noi-based National Sports Training Centre to train for the Asian Games.
Do Son to host the third BRG Golf Championships
BRG Group and its golf division BRG Golf and Real Estate have announced the third edition of this very popular golf championship will be held at Do Son Golf Resort on October 5.
Play is by invitation only and as such makes this one of the most sought-after golf invitations of the year. Since it’s inception in 2012 the BRG Golf Championships was seen as golfers across the country as a must play event and entries were so massive that the Club had to limit the tournament to invitations only.
The tournament format is singles stroke play with an afternoon tee off shotgun time at 11:00am – many prizes will be on offer for the golfers including prestigious hole in one rewards and prizes for the top ten scores. They will be long drive, near pin and other competitions which have made this event so popular.
Evans Mahoney, director of golf at Do Son Golf Resort, said: “We are especially proud to be able to host the event here in Do Son Golf Resort – a definite positive signal that our golf course is in great condition and is fit for such a championship. The golf clubhouse facilities, especially the function and dining facilities are prefect for this event.”
The Championships will be played with a limited invitation field of 120 golfers. All the golfers will enjoy excellent golf course conditions, professional tournament organisation and a big thank-you from the Kings’ Island Golf Resort and Do Son Golf Resort in gifts and great prizes to win.
“We like to keep the “extra” events a secret however we can promise some fun things to do and great prizes to win,” added Mahoney.
On the commercial side supporters and sponsors have the opportunity to showcase their goods and services to 120 of the most prestigious golfers in the country in a fun and relaxed environment – an ideal vehicle to connect to existing and create new clients.
A further 40 VIPs and media will attend the event.
“We work closely with the national and local media as this event helps people know more about Haiphong golf activities. By ensuring that as many golfers both in Vietnam and outside the country we bring more golfers, their families and friends to not only use the golf course but stay in local hotels visit the tourist spots and bring income in all areas. We are proud to do this with the BRG Golf Championships in its third year,” said Mahoney.
VNS/VOV/SGT