Vietnam Football (Vietnam Soccer)

Vietnam crowned AFF champions

2009-02-25T20:40:00.007+07:00

Vietnam claimed their first major title after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Thailand, winning the AFF Suzuki Cup tonight (28/12/2008)

Cong Vinh’s goal in the last second helped Vietnam win the long-awaited cup and Vietnam’s dream came true.

Playing in front of more than 40,000 fans and also at the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Vietnam started the game with confidence and composure. Viet Cuong’s return made the hosts’ defence stronger while Suchao Nutnum’s presence after being suspended gave the visitors more width and pace on the right.

Vietnam made several attacks in the first minutes and their two corner kicks were blocked by Thai defender and caught by goalkeeper Kosin. Then Thailand began their counter-attacks, causing a lot of difficulties for Vietnam. The visitors went ahead in the 20th minute when Dangda scored the opener with his header from Suksomkit’s free-kick.

After the goal, Thailand played slowly, waiting for a chance to widen the gap while Vietnam put up their attacks to level the score. In the 44th minute

Tan Tai’s cross caused chaos on the box and Quang Thanh grabbed the ball but failed to convert the chance into goal, shooting wide of the post.

Right after the break, Vietnam began to intensify attacks , creating several chances to equalise. In the 66th minute Cong Vinh shot wide of the post from Tai Em’s cross and Viet Thang’s header was over the crossbar. Meanwhile Thailand’s counter-attacks were very dangerous. It was Hong Son who did pretty well tonight, saving Winothai’s quick and powerful shot in the 60th minute, denying Thong Lao’s long-range strike in the 71st minute and Dangda’s fire in the 88th minute. In the last minutes, Vietnam brought pressure to bear on the visitors with quick attacks.and their efforts paid off.

In the last second Cong Vinh scored the equaliser, a vital goal for Vietnam. His super header from Minh Phuong’s free-kick made all the Vietnamese happy.

Beating Thailand 2-1 in the first-leg final in Bangkok and drawing 1-1 with Thailand in the second-leg in Hanoi, Vietnam deserved this historical triumph in the regional event. The Vietnamese players gave 120% in the game and their performance satisfied all the football fans. When skipper Tai Em lifted the AFF Suzuki Cup, a new stage of development opened for Vietnam’s football.

Nhan Dan Online-

Vietnam enter final after beating Singapore 1-0

2009-02-25T20:25:00.004+07:00

Quang Hai’s goal in the 75th minute helped Vietnam reach the AFF Suzuki Cup’s final against Thailand.

Vietnam started the game with great determination to win the match as they were held 0-0 by Singapore in the first-leg semi in Hanoi four days ago. But it was Singapore who brought pressure to bear on Vietnam, producing attack after attack from the first whistle. Vietnamese goalkeeper Hong Son caught two long -ball shots in the first and second minutes. Bennet Daniel and Alam Shah tested Hong Son with their strikes in the 6th and 7th minutes. In the 20th minute Alam Shah powerful shot was over the crossbar.

Meanwhile Vietnam played defensive-counter-attack game, trying to prevent all the attacks that went to their way. From 20th minute Vietnam had several counter attacks. In the 26th minute Vu Phong made the first shot which was wide of the right post. Eight minutes later Tai Em crossed the ball to Cong Vinh in the favourable position but he was ruled offside. It was Singapore’s turn to attack again, creating two clear chances to score. Alam Shah’s wonderful scissor strike in the 38th minute was wide of the post. And one minute to the end of the first half there was chaos in front of Vietnam’s goal but Thanh Luong blocked a close shot and Vu Phong struck the ball away.

Two minutes to the second half, Shi Jiayi’s super shot from a long range was saved by keeper Hong Son. Singapore created a lot of chances to open the scoring but they failed to finish. In a quick counter attack Quang Hai scored the opener to help Vietnam come ahead in the 75th minute. Cong Vinh broke through the box and his cross found Quang Hai and Quang Hai, without mistake, slotted the ball into the net, giving goalkeeper Lionel Lewis no chances.

It was Hong Son who played a superb game, saving Indra’s shot in the 70th minute, Alam Shah’s strike one minute later and two other shots in the 83rd and 86th minutes. In the 88th minute, Singapore’s attack caused chaos in front of Vietnam’s goal again but Viet Cuong prevented Singapore’s shot. Vietnam put up a strong defence in the last minutes to the end and all Singapore’s efforts to equalise were in vain.

Defeating Singapore in the second-leg semi, Vietnam will play against Thailand in the first-leg final in Bangkok on December 24 and in the second-leg final in Hanoi on December 28.

Nhan Dan Online
Photo by Reuters

Vietnam held 0-0 draw by Singapore

2009-02-25T20:08:00.004+07:00

Dominating the match but Vietnam were tied in a goalless game with Singapore in their first leg semi-final at the My Dinh National stadium (17/12/2008)

Vietnam started the match confidently, producing attack after attack to find an early opener while Singapore played a defensive game. In the 3rd minute Tan Tai headed wide of the left post. In the18th minute Viet Thang should have to open the scoring when receiving the ball from Vu Phong’s cross but his shot hit the right post.

Supported by 40,000 fans, Vietnam continued to press forward and created a lot of chances to go ahead but their shots could not get to the target. It was Lionel Lewis who played a good match in the Singapore nets, catching Tai Em’s header in the 22nd minute, Vu phong’s strike in the 30th minute and Tan Tai’s long-range shot seven minutes later.

With Vietnam pressing forward, Singapore made the counter-attack but created a few chances to score.Ten minutes to the end of the first half the Vietnamese players pushed up to attack but the guests’ defence played extremely well and no goal was scored.

Straight from the break, the Lions’s two corner kicks were blocked and caught by goalkeeper Hong Son. Then it was Vietnam’s turn to attack again. In the 56th minute Vu Phong’s strike from a free-kick was saved by Lionel before Tai Em headed over the crossbar. In the 75th minute defender Phuoc Tu scored his own goal with his header but it was ruled out as Alam Shah was in an offside position. Fifteen minutes to the end, Vietnam produced many attacks to find the first goal but all their efforts were in vain.

The match ended in a goalless draw. It is not a bad result for Vietnam but they should try their best while facing Singapore in the second leg on December 21.

Duy Thinh

Beating Laos 4-0, Vietnam earn semis berth

2009-02-25T19:58:00.002+07:00

Vietnam thrashed Laos 4-0 in their final match of Group B at the Surakul stadium tonight, confirming the place in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup while Thaland crushed Malaysia 3-0, topping the group.

Vietnam coach Calisto made six changes in the starting line-up to play against Laos. Right after the start, Vietnam dominated the game, producing attack after attack.Thach Bao Khanh header hit the crossbar in the 11th minute before Cong Vinh’s strike was blocked by Laos goalkeeper. In the 41st minute Thach Bao Khanh’s powerfull shot was punched by the keeper. Meanwhile Laos played a defensive-backfired game and had some contra-attacks.Their two excellent shots from the free-kicks in the 12th and 36th minutes were saved by goalkeeper Hong Son. Vietnam managed to break through on several occassions but could not get on the mark. Laos defence played extremely well in the first half.

Two minutes into the second half Viet Thang, who substituted Cong Vinh, opened the scoring with wonderfull close-range shot from Vu Phong’s pass. From this moment Vietnam created a lot of chances to score. In the 62nd minute substitute Thanh Luong doubled the score before Quang Thanh widened the gap by the header three minute later. In the 80th minute, Vietnam nailed their fourth goal when Thanh Binh grabbed a chance to slot the ball into the net.

In the last minutes of the second period, Laos tried to score the consolation goal but their efforts were in vain.

Earlier in an exciting match, Thailand thumped Malaysia 3-0, topping the group. Vietnam conceded a 2-0 loss to Thailand in the first game, bounced back in their second and final matches when they beat Malaysia 3-2 on December 8 and Laos 4-0 tonight, rank second. As a result, Vietnam will play against Group A leaders Singapore and Thailand will face Indonesia in the semi-finals.

Nhan Dan Online-

Vu Phong double gives Vietnam important victory over Malaysia

2009-02-25T19:50:00.003+07:00

Substitute Vu Phong’ s double in the second half gave Vietnam a very important victory over Malaysia in a thrilling attractive game of Group B at the Surakul stadium tonight.

Straight after the start, Vietnam with their confidence, applied pressure on Malaysia with various attacks but Viet Thang, Cong Vinh wasted the chances in the fourth, sixth and seventh minutes. Malaysia responded with contra-attacks however they failed to score.

In the 16th minute Thanh Luong’s superb long-range shot put Vienam in front.Trying to come back from one down, Malaysia began to intensify their attacks and their efforts paid off. Indra Putra levelled the score in the 20th minute from his fine free kick.Then Malaysia continued to produce attack after attack, making shots into Vietnam’s goal in 33rd, 36th and 38th minutes but goalkeeper Hong Son’s excellent saves gave them no chance.In the last minutes of the first half Vietnam pushed foward more, providing Malaysia defence with more anxious moments.Viet Cuong powerful strike in the 45th minute was stopped by goalkeeper Elias’s fingers.

Vietnam made a flurry of changes in the second half and that did more to change the result. Substitute Vu Phong was able to make an impact and his wonderful shot gave Vietnam the lead again in the 72nd minute. Then it was Malaysia turn to attack for equalising, creating a lot of chances to score, but all shots were saved or caught by goalkeeper Hong Son. In the 83rd minute Indra Putra scored the equaliser for Malaysia again. Two minutes later Vu Phong made a super night for the Vietnamese fans when he fired the winner from a very long range, becoming the hero of the match. This is the first but crucial win for Vietnam. It paved the way for Vietnam to book their place in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008. Vietnam will play against Laos in their next game on December 10.

Later in another match, Thaland easily crushed Laos 6-0.

Vietnam's coach H. Calisto: "It was a very difficult game for Vietnam due to some incomprehensible mistakes by the referees but I am glad that my players kept calm and expressed their strong determination. Vietnam deserved to win this crucial game."

Malaysia's coach B. Sathianathan: "All three goals were the results of keeper's mistakes. He is the best goalkeeper we have in the country. But today, it was his mistakes that cost us the match. After this loss, there's no other way that we have to defeat Thailand in the last round match."

Nhan Dan Online

Vietnam lose 0-2 to Thailand

2009-02-25T19:39:00.005+07:00

Nhan Dan Online- Vietnam lost 0-2 to Thailand in their first match of Group B of the AFF Suzuki Cup at Surakul stadium, Phuket on Saturday 06/12/2008

The hosts made attack after attack straight after the start with shots from Dangda, Nutnum and Thonglao in the 5th, 10th and 15th minutes. But goalkeeper Hong Son’s excellent saves gave them no chance.

Sutee Suksumkit opened the scoring from a fine free-kick in the 34th minute, helping Thailand take the lead.

Then it was Vietnam’s turn to attack but they could not break the hosts’ solid and strong defense.

In the last minute of the first half, keeper Hong Son’s mistake allowed Nutmum to score the second goal for Thailand.

In the second half, the Vietnamese footballers tried their best to come from behind but all their efforts were not enough to score.

Defeated by Thailand in the first match, Vietnam still have hopes to reach the semi-finals, if they beat Malaysia on December 8 in a decisive match.

Earlier in another match, Malaysia thrashed Laos 3-0.

National team to compete at AFF Cup

2009-02-25T19:33:00.001+07:00

Nhan Dan - The Vietnam national team will arrive in Phuket, Thailand for the Southeast Asian Football Championship (AFF Suzuki Cup 2008) today.

Phuket has been designated as a new host city for Group B in the AFF Suzuki Cup due to the on-going disruptions to air travel in Bangkok.

Group B consists of Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Laos. Group A, held in Jakarta, Indonesia comprises Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar and Cambodia.

The final list of 22 Vietnamese players who will participate in the championship includes:

Goalkeeper (3): Duong Hong Son (T&T Hanoi), Bui Quang Huy (Nam Dinh), Tran Ðuc Cuong (Ða Nang).

Defenders (7): Le Phuoc Tu (The Cong), Vu Nhu Thanh (Binh Duong), Huynh Quang Thanh (Binh Duong), Nguyen Minh Duc (SLNA), Phan Thanh Giang (Ðong Tam), Le Quang Cuong (Da Nang), Doan Viet Cuong (Dong Thap).

Midfielders (8): Thach Bao Khanh (The Cong), Nguyen Minh Phuong (Dong Tam), Phan Van Tai Em (Dong Tam), Nguyen Vu Phong (Binh Duong), Tran Truong Giang (Binh Duong), Le Tan Tai (Khanh Hoa), Pham Thanh Luong (HN. ACB), Nguyen Minh Chau (Hai Phong).

Strikers (4): Le Cong Vinh (SLNA), Nguyen Quang Hai (Khanh Hoa), Phan Thanh Binh (Dong Thap), Nguyen Viet Thang (Dong Tam).

Finland beats Vietnam, Uzbekistan wins Agribank Cup trophy

2007-11-06T18:42:00.001+07:00

The Vietnam Olympic football team suffered a 2-1 loss to Finland in the last match of the International Football match of the International Football Tournament, the Agribank Cup, on November 5.

Finland began the match on the offensive and narrowly missed scoring in the fourth minute. But Le Cong Vinh’s header glanced off the goal post in four minutes later as well. Then, the visitors counterattacked 16 minutes into the game and Kari Tommy managed to get on a poor clearance from a Vietnamese defender to score the first goal for Finland.

After the break, Vietnam’s striker Phan Thanh Binh broke through on the left in the 47th minute and fired a powerful shot that Finland’s keeper Ville could only punch away. Left wing back Le Tan Tai got to the ball first to score an easy goal.

Just one minute later Binh’s diving header was just saved by Finland’s keeper. But it was not to be Vietnam’s day and in the 60th minute Finland’s striker Aatarilo Mika broke Vietnam’s defence before stunning keeper Tran Viet Cuong with a low shot.

It was a disappointing result for Vietnam who was tied with Finland after their first two matches but ahead on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan earlier clinched the championship title after a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe and took home US$40,000 in prize money. Vietnam pocketed US$10,000 for coming third, while Finland, in second, took home US$20,000.

VOVNews/VNS

Vietnam on threshold of Southeast Asian Games

2007-11-06T18:39:00.000+07:00

Vietnam 2-1 loss to Finland in their last Agribank Cup match yesterday might not be enough to dampen the national team’s spirits on the brink of the Southeast Asian Games

The host side had to cope with a more powerful European team, who played simply and effectively.

The Vietnamese players sometimes troubled their opponents with clever offense, their defense was rattled by Finland's ability to change pace.

The host team also failed to take advantage of their known ability to counter attack and failed on several opportunities downfield after gaining possession on swift turnovers.

The equalizer by Tan Tai early in the second half came from one of Vietnam's few brilliant counter attacks.

After taking the hit, Finland recognized that the hosts were exhausted.

The Europeans picked up the pace and Vietnam couldn't keep up.

The go ahead goal came soon after the break.

Many said that Vietnam's coach Alfred Riedl should have replaced striker Le Cong Vinh and midfielder Vu Phong, both of whom deemed to be too tired to be effective.

Analysts said the two players might recuperate but their morale would have taken a hit as the SEA Games approach.

But many experts predicted a recovery.

Some observers indicated that coach Riedl could feel secure with defenders Long Giang, Xuan Hop and Dai Dong keeping the backfield safe.

Some suggested that Viet Duc and Quang Thanh could switch flanks while young winger Nhat Tan looks as though he's improving with ever match.

The games will take place in Thailand this December.

By Thanh Thao - TNO

Finland's Aaritalo breaks Vietnam

2007-11-06T18:36:00.000+07:00

A stunner from Aaritalo helped Finland shutdown host Vietnam 2-1 in their last match of the 2007 Agribank Cup at Hanoi's My Dinh Stadium yesterday.

Vietnam went into the game fresh from its 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe Saturday.

The opening goal came nine minutes in from Kari Tommy, who received a left-wing cross in the penalty area before firing the ball home.

The host side kept pressure on their opponents throughout the first half, with Le Cong Vinh, Phong Hoa, Phan Thanh Binh, Vu Phong and Tan Tai all creating chances that failed to break Finland's stubborn defense.

A powerful Thanh Binh shot deflected off keeper Vile early in the second half and bounced back to Tan Tai, who made no mistake leveling the match.

Though Vietnam was energized after the equalizer, it was Finland's Aritalo that struck next in the 67th minute, when he out dribbled the Vietnamese defense and delicately placed the ball past the helpless keeper Duc Cuong.

The 2-1 result saw Finland take second place in the competition.

Uzbekistan had won the 2007 Agribank Cup after settling a draw with Zimbabwe earlier in the day.

Reported by Giang Lao - TNO

Hosts finish third at Agribank Cup

2007-11-06T18:31:00.000+07:00

Olympic Vietnam (White) vs Olympic Finland (Blue)- Photo by Dan Tri
Vietnam finished third, behind Olympic Uzbekistan and Olympic Finland, with one win and two losses.

Le Tan Tai levelled the scored and Phan Thanh Binh came close for the hosts and Olympic Finland gained three points they deserved to finish runners-up.

Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl made five changes to the squad which beat Olympic Zimbabwe 2-0 on November 3.

Skipper Le Cong Vinh returned to partner Phan Thanh Binh as two frontmen. Nguyen Anh Duc, who set up Phung Cong Minh to open the scoring, was sacrificed to pave way for Cong Vinh’s return.

Nguyen Vu Phong were back to the starting squad in replacement of Mai Tien Thanh, who was not even registered on bench.

Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, who was replaced by Nguyen Dai Dong, retained his position as a centreback alongside Mai Xuan Hop.

Chau Phong Hoa replaced his teammate at Dong Thap Doan Viet Cuong as a fullback.

Goalie Tran Duc Cuong returned to and To Vinh Loi was back to the bench.

It was Olympic Finland, who played better in the first opening stage, pushing hosts Vietnam to their own half.

However, the first clear chance in the game belonged to the hosts after seven minutes. Le Tan Tai and Thanh Binh combined for Thanh Binh to provide a good cross for skipper Cong Vinh, who headed just wide.

At the other end, Eetu Muinonen forced goalie Duc Cuong to save his powerful finish from the left edge of the Vietnam box.

Olympic Finland went in front after 17 minutes. Tommi Kari’s quick volley near the edge line of the box, after a good cross from the left flank, sent the ball to the top of the net.

Leftback Chau Phong Hoa tried his luck with a distance shot, after Cong Vinh’s back pass, but Finland goalie Ville Iiskola saved comfortably.

Vo Duy Nam wasted a good chance before half-time as he produced a quick finish, which went wide after a Finland defender failed to clear the ball in his box.

Earlier, Vu Phong tried to test Iiskola with finishes from outside the box but could hardly trouble the Finland stopper.

Two minutes into second half, hosts Vietnam equalised through Le Tan Tai’s effort.

Vu Phong cut in from the left wing and curled the ball to the far corner. Iiskola blocked Vu Phong’s shot but failed to stop Tan Tai from slotting the rebound home.

Thanh Binh should have put Vietnam in front two minutes later, diving to head Cong Vinh’s pass, but only to see his attempt turned aside by Iiskola.

One minute after the hour mark, Mika Aaritalo restored Finland’s lead as he made a good run from the centre of the field, overtaking Long Giang before slotted the ball past Duc Cuong.

Skipper Cong Vinh came close to equalising as his header just missed upright. The Vietnam skipper missed another chance in stoppage time, failing to beat Iiskola from a close range, after a good cross by Viet Cuong, who came in for Quang Thanh in the second half.

In an earlier match, Olympic Uzbekistan shared the spoils with Under-23 Zimbabwe to be crowned champions.

Ngoc Tuan (Nhan Dan Online)

Vietnam cruises past Zimbabwe in 2007 Agribank Cup

2007-11-05T02:18:00.001+07:00

Host Vietnam gained their first win in the 2007 Agribank Cup after outclassing Zimbabwe with a comfortable 2-0 victory in their second match in Hanoi Saturday.

Cong Minh (11) shares his joy after scoring

The first scoring opportunity was created by the visitors just two minutes after kick-off, forcing defender Viet Cuong to clear the ball off the line.

The Zimbabweans then began to dominate by pouring on a heavy attack.

But the hosts unexpectedly took the lead in the 7th minute.

Striker Anh Duc broke behind the visiting team's defense on the left side and poked into the box before sending a precise cross to the feet of midfielder Phung Cong Minh, who made no mistake in netting in from close range.

The game then proceeded at a frantic pace with the Zimbabweans looking for an equalizer through long-range strikes while Vietnam opted for wing play.

Vietnam, who switched to a defense-oriented counter attack strategy, looked the better side after the interval.

Viet Cuong wasted a clear-cut chance to extend the lead on 49 minutes when he fired Tien Thanh's cross sky-high from only seven meters.

The visitors then rallied strongly but their efforts only left them more vulnerable to Vietnam's counter attack.

Substitute striker Quang Hai rubbed salt into Zimbabwe's wound on 76 minutes, calmly collecting Cong Minh's cross from the right flank before defeating keeper Tafadzwa Dube to double the Vietnamese lead.

The visiting team then pressed for a consolation goal in the remaining minutes, but it failed to break the Vietnamese defense.

Uzbekistan looked on course to win the Cup as they got a second win after downing Finland 2-0 earlier in the day.

Next up for Vietnam is Finland in their last match of the competition.

Reported by Giang Lao

Source : TNO

Vietnamese players fall from AFC list

2007-11-05T02:15:00.000+07:00

Ha Noi (VNA) - Two strikers from the Vietnamese national football squad, Le Cong Vinh and Nguyen Anh Duc, were not named on the final list of 15 nominees for the Player of the Year award of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Previously, Vinh and Duc were among 33 nominees for the AFC Player of the Year award. However, they did not make the final list due to their poor performance in the third qualifier round for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

This year’s race will be very tense between captain of Iraq team, the champion of the Asian Cup 2007, striker Younis Mahmoud, striker Yasser Al Qahtani of Saudi Arabia, Yasuhito Endo from Japan and the Republic of Korea’s goalkeeper Lee Won-jae.

The name of the winner will be announced on November 28, at Hordern Pavilion in Sydney , Australia.-Enditem

Hosts earn first victory at Agribank Cup

2007-11-05T02:07:00.000+07:00

Phung Cong Minh celebrated his first goal with teammates. (Photo: Vnexpress).
Nhan Dan Online – Goals in each half by Phung Cong Minh and Nguyen Quang Hai, respectively, earned the Vietnam under-23 team the first victory at the invitational football tournament Agribank Cup

The hosts, with many changes to the squad that lost 2-1 to Olympic Uzbekistan in the opening game, beat Under-23 Zimbabwe 2-0 at the My Dinh national stadium on November 3.

The victory will be boost for the Vietnam under-23 team in the final match with Olympic Finland on November 5.

In an earlier match, Olympic Uzbekistan won a crucial match over Olympic Finland to be in a good position to win the tournament. The Uzbeks won 2-0.

Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl made six changes to the squad that lost 2-1 to Olympic Uzbekistan two days ago as he wanted to test his squad for a more important event, the forthcoming 24th SEA Games.

Zimbabwe, who lost 3-2 to Olympic Finland in their opening game after taking a 2-0 lead before half-time, were the better side in the opening stage.

Doan Viet Cuong was forced to clear off the line after two minutes after a bicycle kick by a Zimbabwe player.

However, it was hosts Vietnam who took the lead. Anh Duc paid Mr Riedl’s faith in him by setting up Cong Minh for his first goal for the Vietnam under-23 team. Anh Duc broke in the Zimbabwe box before producing a good cross for Cong Minh to slot home from close range.

Five minutes later, Vietnam should have doubled the lead but Tien Thanh, unmarked, blasted over the bar.

The two sides played an end-to-end game with Vietnam coming close again before half-time when Viet Cuong was denied by the woodwork.

After the break, Quang Thanh and Quang Hai were brought on for Tan Tai and Anh Duc.

Quang Hai, who had a successful tournament with the under-21 team, scored his first goal for the under-23 team on 76 minutes.

Cong Minh pinpointed a long ball to release Quang Hai, who broke into the box before fired home the second goal.

Skipper Phan Thanh Binh tried his luck with a powerful finish from outside the penalty box, but only to see it was turned away by the Zimbabwe goalie.

Ngoc Tuan

Asian, European and African footballers to attend Agribank Cup-2007

2007-10-30T22:02:00.001+07:00

Vietnamese soccer fans

PANO - The Agribank Cup-2007 soccer tournament, which will draw the participation of the Vietnam, Finland, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe teams is to be held in My Dinh stadium, Hanoi from November 1-5.

The event has proved itself to be a good-quality tourney, attracting much attention from experts and fans, following three previous events.

According to sporting circles, the Vietnam Olympic team has improved, after it experienced tough competitions like the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games’ qualifying round and AFC Asian Cup 2007.

Although the final target of the Vietnam team is a gold medal in the forthcoming 24 SEA Games in Thailand, it is expected to gain good results at the tourney.

The winner of the tournament will be given gold medal and US $40,000, while the silver holder – US $20,000 and bronze medal winners US $10,000.

Translated by Thu Nguyen

UAE Beats Viet Nam 5-nil, Shatters Her World Cup Dream

2007-10-30T21:59:00.001+07:00

UAE footballers joyous at their knock-out triumph
The Vietnamese national team Sunday suffered a heavy 0-5 loss to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the second-leg of the 2010 FIFA World Cup’s qualifying round in Dubai, and was eliminated for this international, much-awaited event

During the first half, UAE focused attacks around the midfield while striker Marta continuously attacked.

At the 14th minute, due to the mistakes of two Vietnamese mid-defenders Nhu Thanh and Huy Hoang, Marta had a chance to flip the ball inside the penalty area where he successful scored the first goal.

A few seconds later, Mahri received a pass from Marta and quickly made another score at close range.

In the second-half, Viet Nam suffered a losing streak as Al Shelf scored at the 52nd minute, Al Darmaki (89’) and Alkas (90’).

The result helped UAE advance to the second qualifying round.

This is the third time that Viet Nam has met UAE since the Asian Cup 2007’s qualifying round.

By. G.Y – Translated by Truong Son ( Saigon Giai Phong Online)

Vietnam drop to bottom after defeat in Saudi Arabia

2007-10-21T19:26:00.000+07:00

Without Cong Vinh and Vu Phong,
Vietnam (red) failed to upset the Saudi hosts. (Photo: Vietnamnet).

Nhan Dan Online – Vietnam dropped to bottom of Group C after a 2-0 defeat to their hosts Saudi Arabia in Dammam on October 17 (local time).

Substitute Yousef Mansour Al Salem came off the bench to score two goals in the second half, helping the hosts restore their hopes of a place in Beijing as in another match, Group C leaders Japan lost to Qatar.

Al Salem opened the scoring 19 minutes into the second half and doubled the lead in stoppage time with a spot kick.

Vietnam travelled to Dammam without three key players, skipper Nguyen Vu Phong and Le Cong Vinh, who were rested by coach Alfred Riedl for the forthcoming 24th SEA Games, alongside sidelined centreback Nguyen Thanh Long Giang.

It, therefore, was no surprise as the Saudis, with their physical superiority dominated the game from kick-off.

The came close to going in front after five minutes with Abdullah Juman Shuhail’s header after Saleh Abdullah’s freekick was tipped away by goalie Tran Duc Cuong.

And with the game deep into injury time, Al Salem doubled his side's advantage with a well taken penalty that gave Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong little chance.

Duc Cuong was forced in to action again five minutes later to steer Abdullah's attempt away.

Saudi Arabia completely dominated the game and looked the more likely to score. A mix-up between Duc Cuong and leftback Vo Nhat Tan almost gifted Naif Ahmed Hazazi to score but his attempt was deflected wide.

On 31 minutes, Duc Cuong made a top class save, reacting quickly enough to push away Abdullah Nour's volley after Abdullah's pass had caught the Vietnamese defence square.

The hosts started slowly after the break but four minutes after the hour mark, they took the lead. Abdullah outpaced the Vietnam defence before sending over a low cross from the right edge of the Vietnam box for Al Salem to slot home from close range.

Al Salem should have doubled his side's advantage 13 minutes later when he played himself in on Duc Cuong's goal, only to finish wide of the Vietnamese goalkeeper's left upright.

With the game deep into injury time, Al Salem made no mistake when his side was awarded a spot kick to give the Saudis’ hope of qualifying for the Beijing Games back.

In another match, Qatar beat Japan 2-1 to surpass their opponents on top of Group C, with seven points after four games.

Vietnam are at bottom with two points earned from their home games against Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Ngoc Tuan

Saudis on track after punishing Vietnam

2007-10-20T21:56:00.000+07:00

VietNamNet Bridge – Saudia Arabia got their hopes back on track for a place at next year's Olympic Games in Beijing, while Vietnam dropped to the bottom of group C after a 2-0 loss to the Saudis in Dammam on Wednesday.

Following Japan's loss at the hands of Qatar, the Saudis are now within two points of the top spot in group C with two games remaining, including a trip to Japan to face Yasuharu Sorimachi's team in the final round.

Substitute player Yousef Mansour Al Salem came off the bench to score two goals in the second half, helping the hosts restore their hopes of a place in Beijing.

Al Salem opened the scoring 19 minutes into the second half and doubled the lead with a spot kick in stoppage time.

Vietnam travelled to Dammam without three key players, skipper Nguyen Vu Phong and Le Cong Vinh, who were both Vietnam a put on rest by coach Alfred Riedl for the forthcoming 24th SEA Games, along with sidelined centreback Nguyen Thanh Long Giang.

Therefore, it was no surprise when the Saudis dominated the game from kick-off.

Goalie Tran Duc Cuong managed to tip away Saleh Abdullah's freekick but when the game went deep into injury time, Al Salem doubled his side's advantage with a well taken penalty that gave the Vietnam goalkeeper very little chance.

A mix-up between Duc Cuong and leftback Vo Nhat Tan almost gave Naif Ahmed Hazazi a chance to score, but his attempt was deflected.

Thirty-one minutes in, Duc Cuong made a top-notch save, reacting quickly enough to push away Abdullah Nour's volley after his pass had caught the Vietnamese defence off guard.

The hosts started slowly after the break, but four minutes after the hour mark they took the lead. Abdullah outpaced Vietnam's defence before sending over a low cross from the right edge of the Vietnam box for Al Salem to slam home from close range.

Al Salem should have doubled his side's advantage 13 minutes later when he neared Duc Cuong's goal, but shot wide of the Vietnamese goalkeeper's top left.

With the game deep into injury time, Al Salem made no mistakes when his side was awarded a spot kick, renewing the Saudis' hope of qualifying for the Beijing Games.

Vietnam are currently at the bottom of group C, with two points earned from their home games against Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

(Source: Viet Nam News)

Viet Nam footballers to face difficult group

2007-10-20T21:54:00.000+07:00

Ha Noi (VNA) – Despite having to overcome Singapore, a long time challenge for Viet Nam, experts believe that the team will top group A for the SEA Games.

“I think that Viet Nam will rank first in group A so as to avoid Thailand in the semi-final round,” said Nguyen Trong Hy, chairman of Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF), adding that Viet Nam have had previous experience with them in tournaments.

Viet Nam will meet Singapore, Malaysia and Laos after a draw held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct. 17.

Meanwhile, the defending champions Thailand, seed of group B, will play Indonesia, Myanmar and Cambodia.

VFF general secretary Tran Quoc Tuan echoed the chairman’s sentiments, saying that Viet Nam would succeed at the Games although he did warn against Singapore’s strong support and meticulous preparation.

“Our goal is to make it to the final, although Singapore and Malaysia will not be easy to defeat,” Tuan said.

Austrian coach Alfred Riedl was not satisfied with the sorting results, as Viet Nam found themselves in a more difficult group than Thailand, who are considered Viet Nam’s biggest rivals.

“Thailand will have a more leisurely group round while we will have to struggle from the first match,” the coach was quoted as saying in a local newspaper. “However I will not complain about the problem because if we want to be the champions we will have to overcome every contender,” he added.

Riedl admitted that he lacked information concerning all of his team’s rivals, but said he would have a chance to observe them at the group round, noting that the teams will show off all their power plays during an official tournament.

In the 23 rd Games, Viet Nam were also grouped with Singapore and Laos, together with Myanmar and Indonesia.

Viet Nam beat Singapore 2-1 in the opening match. They trounced Laos 8-2, crushed Myanmar 1-0 before losing 0-1 to Indonesia .

The female counterparts on the other hand are in an easy group. The defending champions will play Laos and the Philippines in group A, while Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia will battle each other in group B.

Chairman Hy said the team had a favourable sorting result. He is optimistic that they will defend their title.-Enditem

24th SEA Games men’s football: VN to meet Singapore

2007-10-19T15:33:00.001+07:00

VietNamNet Bridge – According to the drawing result for men’s football event at the upcoming 24th SEA Games, the seed of B group, Vietnam will be in the same group with Singapore, Laos and Myanmar.

At the last SEA Games in the Philippines in 2005, Vietnam was also in the same group with Singapore and Laos. Vietnam and Singapore experienced a fierce race to the semi-finals. Vietnam defeated Singapore 2-1 and went into the semi-final round.

The two teams met again recently at the qualifier round of the AFF Cup 2007 in early this year. The match finished with a draw, without any goal. However, Singapore won the championship at this tournament.

The competition for the top position of B group between Vietnam and Singapore is forecast to be very fierce.

In the remaining group, host Thailand, the seed of A group, will play against Indonesia, Myanmar and Cambodia.

(Source: Tien Phong)

Thailand withdraws from Agribank Cup 2007

2007-10-19T15:31:00.001+07:00

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has just confirmed that Thailand will not take part in the Agribank Cup and U23+4 Zimbabwe team will replace them.

According to VFF, the Thai Football Federation cannot arrange time to send its national team to Vietnam to attend the Agribank Cup 2007 (from November 1-15) as it promised.

Thailand wanted VFF to change the time of the event or said it would send another team, not the U23 national squad, to Vietnam. However, VFF didn’t agree with its proposals and it invited the U23+4 team of Zimbabwe to replace the Thai national team.

In a 3-year contract signed between VFF and the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam (Agribank), the sponsor of this tournament, the Agribank Cup must have two teams: the national teams of Vietnam and Thailand.

As Thailand won’t take part in this year’s event, some sources have said that Agribank will withdraw, but in fact, they have announced they will still cooperate with VFF.

The chief coach of the national football squad, Alfred Riedl, said he was a little bit sad because “I don’t have much information about Thailand but I think that they will be the strongest team at the 24th SEA games. I hoped that at the Agribank Cup I would be able to more accurately evaluate this team to prepare for the SEA Games.”

(Source: VNE)

Under-23s grouped with Singapore

2007-10-19T15:26:00.000+07:00

Nhan Dan Online – The Vietnam under-23 team will compete against Singapore, Malaysia and Laos in the group stage of the forthcoming 24th SEA Games in Thailand late this year.

The draw results were announced on October 17 in Bangkok, Thailand.

In another group, hosts Thailand will face challenge from Indonesia, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Eight teams joined the draw as the Philippines, Brunei and East Timor will not compete at the SEA Games.

Thailand and Vietnam, who played in the last two SEA Games finals, are top seeds in the draw.

The eight teams will compete on a round robin basis in each group with only winners and runners-up will reach the last four.

Also, on October 17, the draw result for women’s football was announced. Defending champions Vietnam will compete against Laos and the Philippines in Group A.

Thailand, Malaysia and Thailand are in Group B.

Vietnam calls up squad for World Cup prelim

2007-10-19T15:25:00.000+07:00

Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl has called only 19 of the possible 22 Vietnamese players to for their away game against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers on October 28, reported the Vietnam News Agency.

The agency said that Mr Riedl decided to drop goalie Bui Tan Truong, defender Nguyen Thanh Long Giang and midfielder Vo Duy Nam. The three are rested to prepare for the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.

Vietnam lost 1-0 in the home game on October 8 at the My Dinh National Stadium, which dented their hopes.

The three goalkeepers chosen for the team were Duong Hong Son from Song Lam Nghe An, Bui Quang Huy of Phu My Nam Dinh and Da Nang’s Tran Duc Cuong.

The seven defenders included Nguyen Huy Hoang from Song Lam Nghe An, who announced his retirement from the national team two months ago, and Binh Duong’s Vu Nhu Thanh and Huynh Quang Thanh, who was absent in the first leg because of an injury.

Phu My Nam Dinh’s defender Phung Van Nhien and Nguyen Tien Dung from Hoa Phat Hanoi, as well as Binh Duong’s Chau Phong Hoa and Doan Viet Cuong were also named for the squad for the return leg.

The Austrian coach also recruited Tran Truong Giang, who helped Vietnam take the bronze medal in the Southeast Asian Football Championship in 2002 and competed in the 2006 World Cup qualifier, along with Nguyen Minh Phuong and Phan Van Tai Em from the Dong Tam Long An team, Khanh Hoa’s Le Tan Tai and Halida Thanh Hoa’s Mai Tien Thanh.

Truong Giang will play alongside his Binh Duong teammate Nguyen Vu Phong, who scored five of Vietnam's nine goals during the Beijing Olympic qualifiers. The coach believes that, as an experienced big game player, veteran Truong Giang will strengthen the midfield.

As planned, Vietnam team started their training in Hanoi on October 17. The team will fly to Dubai on October 25 to challenge the hosts on October 28 in Abu Dhabi.

Source: Nhan Dan

Vietnam drop to bottom after defeat in Saudi Arabia

2007-10-19T15:20:00.001+07:00

Without Cong Vinh and Vu Phong, Vietnam (red) failed to upset the Saudi hosts. (Photo: Vietnamnet).

Nhan Dan Online – Vietnam dropped to bottom of Group C after a 2-0 defeat to their hosts Saudi Arabia in Dammam on October 17 (local time).

Substitute Yousef Mansour Al Salem came off the bench to score two goals in the second half, helping the hosts restore their hopes of a place in Beijing as in another match, Group C leaders Japan lost to Qatar.

Al Salem opened the scoring 19 minutes into the second half and doubled the lead in stoppage time with a spot kick.

Vietnam travelled to Dammam without three key players, skipper Nguyen Vu Phong and Le Cong Vinh, who were rested by coach Alfred Riedl for the forthcoming 24th SEA Games, alongside sidelined centreback Nguyen Thanh Long Giang.

It, therefore, was no surprise as the Saudis, with their physical superiority dominated the game from kick-off.

The came close to going in front after five minutes with Abdullah Juman Shuhail’s header after Saleh Abdullah’s freekick was tipped away by goalie Tran Duc Cuong.

And with the game deep into injury time, Al Salem doubled his side's advantage with a well taken penalty that gave Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong little chance.

Duc Cuong was forced in to action again five minutes later to steer Abdullah's attempt away.

Saudi Arabia completely dominated the game and looked the more likely to score. A mix-up between Duc Cuong and leftback Vo Nhat Tan almost gifted Naif Ahmed Hazazi to score but his attempt was deflected wide.

On 31 minutes, Duc Cuong made a top class save, reacting quickly enough to push away Abdullah Nour's volley after Abdullah's pass had caught the Vietnamese defence square.

The hosts started slowly after the break but four minutes after the hour mark, they took the lead. Abdullah outpaced the Vietnam defence before sending over a low cross from the right edge of the Vietnam box for Al Salem to slot home from close range.

Al Salem should have doubled his side's advantage 13 minutes later when he played himself in on Duc Cuong's goal, only to finish wide of the Vietnamese goalkeeper's left upright.

With the game deep into injury time, Al Salem made no mistake when his side was awarded a spot kick to give the Saudis’ hope of qualifying for the Beijing Games back.

In another match, Qatar beat Japan 2-1 to surpass their opponents on top of Group C, with seven points after four games.

Vietnam are at bottom with two points earned from their home games against Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Ngoc Tuan

Unlucky hosts held for second time

2007-10-19T15:15:00.000+07:00

Skipper Le Cong Vinh (red) opened the scoring (Photo: VTC).

Hosts Vietnam were unlucky for the second time in four days as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in their third game of the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Olympic Beijing Games on September 12.

Skipper Le Cong Vinh opened the scoring after 64 minutes with a help from Ibrahim Shrahili, whose clearance efforts deflected off his goalie and went into the net, after Nguyen Vu Phong’s corner kick.

Cong Vinh’s effort was cancelled out by Naif Ahmed Hazazi, who came in for Yousef Mansour Alsalem after the break.

Vu Phong almost sealed the first victory for Vietnam as his 20 metre finish hit the crossbar in stoppage time.

Minutes earlier, Cong Vinh wasted two good chances, failing to find the net with only Saudi Arabian goalie Waleed Abdullah Ali to beat.

It was the second draw for both Vietnam and Saudi Arabia in four days. As a result, the two teams have lost further ground to Japan, who beat Qatar 1-0 in an earlier match.

Vietnam and Saudi Arabia are now five points adrift of Group C leaders Japan.

Vietnam and Saudi Arabia knew their showdown may be their last chance as they managed one point after the first two games.

After failing to show their cutting edge in the first 25 minutes, the two sides began to create chances.

Abdullah Shuhail wasted the first chance of the match, putting his effort just wide after beating the Vietnamese offside trap to run onto Ahmed Alfraidi's free kick.

Vietnam came close to opening the scoring three minutes before half-time. Skipper Cong Vinh’s neat through ball released his partner Anh Duc, who misfired in the match against Qatar four days ago but survived in starting XI as coach Alfred Riedl made no changes to the squad, who drew 1-1 with Qatar. However, the Binh Duong striker failed to trouble Waleed Ali with a half-kick finish.

After the first lackluster half, the two sides started the second half aggressively, in a search of their much needed win.

Inspired by enthusiastic crowd at the My Dinh stadium, both sides played a more entertaining end-to-end game.

Anh Duc’s misfiring continued as he put a free header wide after a good cross from Vu Phong on 50 minutes.

At the other end, Hazazi, who came on at the break, went close for the Saudis, meeting a bouncing ball in the box with a scissors kick that flew over the bar.

Hazazi was only denied by a brilliant save from Tran Duc Cuong on the hour mark as the Vietnam goalie dived to his right to stop Hazazi’s powerful strike.

The goalie did even better two minutes later, making a good save to deny Alfraidi's free kick. Almost after Duc Cuong’s fine save, the home side took the lead.

Cong Vinh met a corner kick from the right by Vu Phong with a header that was almost stopped by Ibrahim Shrahili, whose clearance effort deflected off Waleed Ali, going back into the net.

Vu Phong, who equalised in the match against Qatar four days ago, came close to extending Vietnam’s lead when his free kick from the left flank nearly caught out Waleed Ali.

The Saudis finally ended their goal drought, drawing level with 10 minute left. Abdullah Al Astaa's corner kick from the right was headed back onto Hazazi’s path and the substitute, unmarked, headed home the equaliser.

Only with luck, did Saudi Arabia avoid a defeat as skipper Cong Vinh wasted two opportunities in the closing minutes and Vu Phong's 20 metre attempt in stoppage time hit the crossbar.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Hosts earn first point after 1-1 draw with Qatar

2007-10-19T15:11:00.000+07:00

Man of the Match Vu Phong (17) scored a superb equaliser. (Photo: Vietnamnet).

Hosts Vietnam failed to earn their first full three points, drawing 1-1 with Qatar at home on September 8.

Mohammed Abdularaab Alyazidi put Qatar in front after ten minutes and Nguyen Vu Phong equalised three minutes later.

“It was an exciting match. I think, Vietnam were the better side but we unfortunately could not win,” said Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl at a post-match press conference.

Vietnam were the better side, creating many chances, but failed to convert. In the second half, Nguyen Anh Duc and skipper Le Cong Vinh came close to sealing the winners.

The pair saw their finishes went centimetres wide of the post of Rajab Hamza Kassim.

In the closing minutes, centreback Mai Xuan Hop came closest to earning Vietnam points as the ball hit the post, then the crossbar, after his left-footed freekick.

After the draw, Vietnam have only one points after two games. They lost 1-0 in Japan in their first game of the AFC Final Round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

“We earned a draw, so it will be very difficult for us to win the top place in the group,” Mr Rield went on.

“Saudi Arabia are even better than Qatar, despite their 1-0 defeat. Therefore, the Wednesday clash will be very tough for us,” the coach predicted the match with Saudi Arabia four days later.

Vietnam started the game with a change to the squad, which lost 1-0 to Japan, with Nguyen Minh Chuyen omitted due to an injury and Mai Tien Thanh got a place in starting XI.

It was Vietnam who dominated the opening quarter and needed only two minutes to have their first chance.

Vietnamese supporters at the My Dinh stadium. (Photo: Ngoc Xiem).

Skipper Le Cong Vinh tried his luck with a freekick outside the Qatari box after Nguyen Anh Duc was fouled. However, the PVFC Song Lam Nghe An striker blasted just over.

The hosts came close three minutes later with Nguyen Vu Phong’s freekick forced Rajab Hamza Kassim into action, turning the ball aside.

Despite the hosts’ dominance, Qatar surprisingly opened the scoring in their first opportunity, which came after ten minutes.

Mohammed Abdularaab Alyazidi slotted the ball past the reach of goalie Duc Cuong, after centreback Nguyen Thanh Long Giang failed to clear the ball, which was flicked into the box.

Three minutes later, Vu Phong drew level, finishing neatly after a good pass by Cong Vinh as Vietnam was awarded a freekick outside the Qatari box. Skipper earlier was challenged down by Abdularaab Alyazidi.

The hosts came close on several times after Vu Phong’s goal. Cong Vinh and Tien Thanh produced a good one-two exchange, before Tien Thanh sent a good low pass into the box for Vu Phong, who failed to connect to the ball.

At the other end, Duc Cuong only faced distance shots.

Just before half-time, the hosts found the Kassim net but the goal was disallowed by the lineman, who had judged that Anh Duc handled the ball in. Anh Duc was yellow-carded for his handling.

After the break, Vietnam continued to be the better side with Vu Phong and Tien Thanh causing many troubles to the Qatari defence.

Tien Thanh produced a good combination with skipper Cong Vinh, and flicked in a superb cross, which Anh Duc finished off just wide.

Minutes later, Vu Phong set up Cong Vinh with a neat pass, but only for the skipper to see his finish fly wide.

At the other end, the hosts could have paid the price for Xuan Hop’s mistake, passing the ball directly to a Qatari player, who sent a good pass for Mohamed Elsayed Sayed but the striker shot just wide.

Despite a draw, Mr Riedl appreciated his men, especially leftback Vo Nhat Tan and central midfielder Vo Duy Nam.

“We have young and inexperience players. Only Vu Phong and Cong Vinh were regular players at the national team at the AFC Asian Cup 2007. The like of Anh Duc and Cong Minh came in from the bench. However, they did a good job.”

Qatar coach Hassan Harmatallah Sbai said: “I was happy with the result. The draw is better than the loss. We are in a good position as we have had four points after two games.

Vietnam are a good side, and well-organised team. Vietnamese players are strong physically and tactically. Therefore, the match was tough for us. Vietnamese players caused many troubles to us.”

Vietnam: Tran Duc Cuong, Doan Viet Cuong, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Vo Nhat Tan, Nguyen Vu Phong, Phung Cong Minh, Vo Duy Nam, Mai Tien Thanh, Le Cong Vinh and Nguyen Anh Duc; and

Qatar: Rajab Hamza Kassim, Maaz Yosif Adam, Tahir Zakariya Muhammad, Musa Haroon Jama, Majdi Abdulla Siddiq, Bilal Mohammed Rajab, Ali Hassan A Yahya, Talal Ali Albloushi, Mohamed Elsayed Sayed, Mohammed Salem Alhamad, and Mohammed Abdulraab Alyazidi.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Vietnam - Qatar preview: Home side favourite

2007-10-19T15:10:00.001+07:00

Vietnam (white) are expected to earn a better result than two months ago.

The Vietnam Olympic team will play their first home game in the AFC Final Round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games against Qatar on September 8. After losing 1-0 in Japan on August 22, the hosts are expected to earn full points.

Vietnam will host Qatar, who are standing neck-and-neck with Japan after the first match day of the Final Round, knowing that with only a victory, they may be able to continue to keep their hope alive.

Before the match, coach Alfred Rield was quoted by local newspapers as saying that he wanted the team won two home games against Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

However, Vietnam cannot have their strongest squad for the clash against Qatar. This could be a decisive blow for the ambition of Mr Riedl and his men. Chau Phong Hoa was removed from the squad as the leftback failed to recovered from his injury.

"The Vietnamese championship/V-League is coming to an end. Tough competitions and fixtures do not allow us to have our strongest squad for Olympic Games qualifying round," said coach assistant Ma Duc Chung at a pre-match conference.

With Phong Hoa's removal, Vo Nhat Tan, who deputised in the match against Japan, has preferred to Nguyen Ngoc Dieu at leftback.

"Nhat Tan played well in the match in Japan as a leftback. He and other Vietnamese players showed their fighting spirit and deversed to be highly appreciated," Mr Chung remarked.

Nguyen Minh Chuyen has also been ruled out of the squad and will be sidelined for two months.

It cannot be a pleasant news for Mr Riedl, who was just delighted as centreback Mai Xuan Hop was judged to be fit for the Qatar clash.

The absence of Minh Chuyen may prove to be huge damage for the hosts as Phung Cong Minh and Nguyen Quy Suu, who may replace Minh Chuyen to partner Vo Duy Nam are not good at assisting forwards.

Therefore, striker Le Cong Vinh will play lower than his partner Phan Thanh Binh in the attacking line. Cong Vinh was successful when Mr Chung, who replaced Mr Riedl when the Austrian coach returned home for illness treatment.

Qataris, however, have better physical terms. They very strong in the air. Therefore, 'battle in the air' may be a weapon of the Western team, who did not hide it during their training sessions in Hanoi.

Six Qatari players, who played in the match the 1-1 daw against co-hosts Vientam at the AFC Asian Cup two months ago, may start.

Among them, Mohamed Majid will be a player Vietnamese defenders should follow carefully. Majid hit the post in the match against Vietnam two months ago.

Majid's partner Abdulla Waleed Jassim is another dangerous man, who partnered Quintana during the AFC Asian Cup 2007.

Mr Chung said that Vietnam will play counter-attacking football against Qatar and his men will try their best to earn a good result.

Olympic Vietnam: Duc Cuong; Viet Cuong, Long Giang, Xuan Hop, Nhat Tan; Vu Phong, Duy Nam, Cong Minh, Tien Thanh, Cong Vinh, and Anh Duc; and

Olympic Qatar: Rajab Hamza Kassim, Al Nuaimi, Majed Abdulmajed, B. Rajab, Ali AlHamad; A Yahya, Mohamed Hassan, Abdulla Siddiq, Al Bloushi; Jassim Abdulla, and Elsayed Sayed.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Vietnam drop seven places in FIFA world ranking

2007-10-19T15:06:00.000+07:00

Nhan Dan Online - Vietnam have dropped seven places in the FIFA August world ranking from 117th to 124th, which has just been released on the International Federation of Football Association's website.

Despite dropping by seven places, Vietnam remain in the top 20 Asian teams and second in Southeast Asian, behind Thailand, who rank 109th, two ranks down.

Thanks to excellent achievements in the AFC Asian Cup, reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament in its history, Vietnam made a big leap from 142nd to 117th.

However, after the AFC Asian Cup 2007, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian teams did not compete in any single tournament. As a result, their last month's rankings dropped.

Co-hosts Indonesia dropped by two ranks, from 127th to 129th.

Olympic team suffer defeat in final round opener

2007-10-19T15:03:00.001+07:00

Vietnam (red) lost to Japan (blue) in their first game (Photo: Reuters).

The Vietnam Olympic team suffered a 1-0 defeat to hosts Japan in their opening match of Group C of the AFC Final Round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 22.

Naoaki Aoyama scored the only goal for Japan, who completely dominated the game. Aoyama found Tran Duc Cuong net after Yosuke Kashiwagi’s corner kick.

Nguyen Vu Phong came close to equalising with two minutes left, forcing Japanese goalie Kaito Yamamoto into a diving save with a smartly taken freekick from outside the penalty box.

This was one of the two shots by Vietnamese players in the match, while Japan produced 16 finishes toward the Vietnamese goal.

Nguyen Anh Duc was surprisingly present in starting XI as one day before the match the Binh Duong striker was reported could hardly play in the game even from the bench.

Even though Anh Duc had yet to recover from an injury, he was preferred by coach Alfred Riedl to Mai Tien Thanh.

Playing against stronger opponents Japan, Vietnam opted to set back while the Japanese hosts dominated the game from kick-off.

Sota Hirayama had the first finish of the game, just blasting the ball over bar after two minutes.

The Japanese dominated the game but failed to crack Vietnam’s solid defence, so they tried their luck with finishes from outside the Vietnamese box, which were comfortably saved by Tran Duc Cuong.

In the opening 20 minutes, coach Alfred Riedl men had to struggle to stand firm before Japan’s attacks and could not move the ball forwards.

The Japanese team came close to opening the scoring eight minutes from half-time. Takuya Honda released Hirayama, who rounded two Vietnamese defenders and goalie Duc Cuong but only to see his finish to the far corner being hacked away Doan Viet Cuong.

Just before half-time, Naoaki Aoyama broke the deadlock for the home side, heading home the opener. He cut in to meet Yosuke Kashiwagi’s corner, heading home at the near post.

After the break, coach Rield brought on Mai Tien Thanh, who replaced Nguyen Anh Duc. With Tien Thanh coming in, Nguyen Vu Phong returned to the right flank.

With the change, the Vietnam coach wanted his men to play more offensively.

However, Vietnam could have conceded another goal two minutes into the second. In an attempt to clear Koki Mizuno’s cross, centreback Mai Xuan Hop almost found his own net. Fortunately, goalie Duc Cuong corrected Xuan Hop’s mistake, tipping the ball over the bar.

Japan right wing with Mizuno and Hajime Hosogai caused many troubles to the Vietnamese defence. The duo set up Hirayama and Tadanari Lee, who saw their headers just go wide.

The hosts came close extending their lead on 70 minutes. Kashiwagi released Hirayama with a neat through ball, but the FC Tokyo striker failed to beat Duc Cuong in one-on-one encounter as the Vietnamese goalie blocked with his legs.

The best chance of Vietnam went to Vu Phong, who nearly equalised with two minutes left, forcing Kaito Yamamoto into a diving save to turn the ball aside his left post.

Binh Duong’s midfielder was very smart when taking a freekick won by Cong Vinh, curling the ball through the Japanese defending wall but Yamamoto reflected well to block.

After their first match, Vietnam will play their second game at home, hosting Qatar, who were also in action against Saudi Arabia.

Japan: Kaito Yamamoto, Hiroki Mizumoto, Hajime Hosogai, Naoaki Aoyama, Takuya Honda, Koki Mizuno, Yohei Kajiyama, Keisuke Honda, Yosuke Kashiwagi, Sota Hirayama and Tadanari Lee; and

Vietnam: Tran Duc Cuong, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Doan Viet Cuong, Mai Xuan Hop, Vo Nhat Tan, Nguyen Minh Chuyen, Phung Cong Minh, Nguyen Vu Phong, Vo Duy Nam and Le Cong Vinh.

Tuan Minh

Source: Nhan Dan

Japan-Vietnam preview: Tough job for injury-hit visitors

2007-10-19T15:01:00.001+07:00

Anh Duc will miss the clash against Japan.

Vietnam will have a difficult job in their first game in the final qualifying round of the 2008 Olympic Games with Japan, especially when they are hit by injuries.

Coach Alfred Rield failed to bring their best squad to Japan for their first match. Injuries ruled out leftback Nguyen Van Bien and his deputy Chau Phong Hoa.

Without Van Bien and Phong Hoa, Vietnam have only five defenders for their match with Japan. Vo Nhat Than or Nguyen Ngoc Dieu will be given a chance to play in starting XI as Mai Tien Thanh, who played as a leftback to replace Van Bien, will certainly return to the midfield. Nguyen Vu Phong will start as right midfielder.

Nguyen Anh Duc will be sidelined due to the same reason, even though he joined the team’s trip to Tokyo.

This will prove to be a decisive blow for Vietnam, who played finished week 21 of the national championship. This was the sixth consecutive match in 21 days.

Therefore, it is difficult for the players to have their best strength for the match. Therefore, in a pre-match press conference, Mr Riedl said Japan are favourites.

"It is almost the same as in the Asian Cup, we are the outsiders and Japan is the clear favorite for tomorrow's match," the Vietnam coach was quoted by Japan’s Daily Yomiuri Online.

Also, the coach claims he does know about the individual quality of the Japan Olympic team.

"I don't know the team very well, but when I think about Japanese football, how well they played in the Asian Cup--unfortunately the results weren't too good--they will do the same with us to the Olympic team.

"Of course the chance to win in Japan against the Japanese team is little for us, but we have to try. And the Japanese team has to show they are the clear favorite in the group," said Mr Riedl.

Playing against such strong opponents as Japan, Vietnam will certainly play a counter attacking game with skipper Cong Vinh as the only frontman. Mr Riedl has to sacrifice Phan Thanh Binh to have another player for the midfield. Apart from Tien Thanh and Vu Phong, Nguyen Minh Chuyen, Vu Duy Nam and Dong Huy Thai or Phung Cong Minh will be three central midfielders with Minh Chuyen playing near Cong Vinh.

Meanwhile, to prepare for their first match against Vietnam, Japan coach Yasuharu Sorimachi called up 19 players.

Mr Sorimachi picked up two players joining the Japan national team at the AFC Asian Cup 2007, Masahiko Inoha and Koki Mizuno, and also gave chances to four from the Under-20 World Cup team which lost to the Czech Republic on penalties in the quarterfinals, including Yosuke Kashiwagi and Michihiro Yasuda.

However, according to Daily Yomiuri Online defender Masahiko Inoha, one of the best players of his generation and a staple on Sorimachi's team, went down with a sprained left ankle on Monday. He was replaced by Yuzo Kobayashi.

Sorimachi, who also was a member of the coaching board of the Japan national team at the Asian Cup as Ivica Osim's assistant, tried to downplay the significance of Inoha's injury. Boldly, the coach also virtually guaranteed victory.

"I have always said that we will need a group of 30 to choose from for the final qualifiers," Mr Sorimachi, who has also had to deal with the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa, was quoted by Daily Yomiuri Online as saying a pre-match press conference on August 21.

"And that is exactly what I'm having to do. But I'm not the least bit worried. I'm confident in any of the players I call up, and I expect them to get the job done when their time comes.

"Vietnam are a very skillful group, and they can also run. They don't run just on attack, but get back very well and I think that is what stands out about them.

"We have to make sure we run more than they do, but I promise we will put on a fast, exciting display tomorrow."

Japan from: Kaito Yamamoto, Kenya Matsumoto, Akihiro Hayashi, Masahiko Inoha, Hiroki Mizumoto, Hajime Hosogai, Naoaki Aoyama, Michihiro Yasuda, Atsuto Uchida, Takuya Honda, Koki Mizuno, Yohei Kajiyama, Toshihiro Aoyama, Akihiro Ienaga, Keisuke Honda, Yosuke Kashiwagi, Sota Hirayama, Tadanari Lee, Shinji Okazaki; and

Vietnam from: Tran Duc Cuong, Nguyen Thanh Binh, To Vinh Loi, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Doan Viet Cuong, Mai Xuan Hop, Dong Huy Thai, Vo Nhat Tan, Nguyen Ngọc Dieu, Nguyen Minh Chuyen, Mai Tien Thanh, Phung Cong Minh, Nguyen Vu Phong, Nguyen Quy Suu, Vo Duy Nam; Huynh Phuc Hiep, Le Cong Vinh and Phan Thanh Binh.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

A good rehearsal for SEA Games

2007-10-17T14:34:00.001+07:00

Six matches in the final round may be tough but useful for the Olympic team.

The Vietnam Olympic team will start their quest in the final qualifying round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with a clash against Japan in Group C, also featuring Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Playing against such three strong teams, it seems to be impossible for Vietnam to hope for a ticket to Beijing. However, it could be a good rehearsal for a more realistic target of winning the 24th SEA Games gold medal.

Vietnam produced a nice surprise in the second qualifying round as they surpassed Oman to join Lebanon in the final round. They even beat Lebanon and Oman with the same score of 2-0 at home and earned to victory over Indonesia.

However, their opponents in the final round are even stronger. Japan and Saudi Arabia finished the second qualifying round as group leaders, while Qatar, despite finishing runners-up in their group, are Asian Games champions.

Japan finish top in Group B, also featuring Syria, Malaysia and Hong Kong, with six wins out of six games.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, topped their group surpassing such strong opponents as Australia and Iran.

After knowing a difficult draw for Vietnam, who are grouped with Japan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, coach Alfred Riedl said he hoped for a home victory out of the team’s six games.

Vietnam experienced a successful Asian Cup, reaching the last eight for the first time in its history. Skipper Le Cong Vinh, his partner Phan Thanh Binh, midfielders Nguyen Vu Phong, Nguyen Minh Chuyen and Phung Cong Minh, and fullback Doan Viet Cuong played at the AFC Asian Cup 2007.

The players made a good contribution to Vietnam’s 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates and a 1-1 draw against Qatar.

Even though Vietnam, with these players, were outclassed by Japan, losing 4-1, coach assistant Mai Duc Chung said that there would not be a large gap in terms of level between the Vietnamese young lads and their opponents.

It is unrealistic to hope that Vietnam will have an opportunity to go to Beijing next summer. Instead, Vietnamese players are expected to continue their good form when playing at the My Dinh national stadium, where they will receive great support from Vietnamese spectators, who will the stadium to capacity.

As Vietnam are targeting the first SEA Games gold medal, the competition against strong opponents in Asia is a good opportunity for coach Rield’s men to learn experience.

The Austrian coach said even Vietnam lose all their six games, the final qualifying round will be useful for Vietnamese football.

Vietnam will play an away game in Japan on August 22 then return home to host Qatar on September 8 and Saudi Arabia four days later. They will play a home game against Japan on November 17 and four days later they will play their final game against Qatar.

Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Asian Cup - Mahmoud’s brace deny co-hosts Vietnam

2007-10-17T14:26:00.000+07:00

Younis Mahmoud (first from left) fired Iraq to the last four for the first time since 1976. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images).

A brace by skipper Younis Mahmoud help Iraq defeat co-hosts Vietnam 2-0 in the AFC Asian Cup 2007 quarter-finals at the Rajamangala stadium on July 21, thus helping Iraq reach the last four of the continent’s biggest competition for the first time since 1976.

Mahmoud opened the scoring after just two minutes and curled home free-kick to seal the win four minutes after the hour mark.

Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira had to make changes in his starting XI as the Iraqis were without suspended Qusay Muneer and midfielder Saleh Sadir, while defender Khaldoun Ibrahim dropped to the bench. Haitham Kadhim, Karrar Jassim Mohammed and Haidar Abdul Amer started.

Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl, on the other hand, started with two frontmen with Nguyen Anh Duc coming in for midfielder Phan Van Tai Em, who didn’t make the trip to Bangkok due to his wedding. Midfielder Phung Cong Minh and leftback Chau Phong Hoa were preferred to Nguyen Minh Chuyen and Phung Van Nhien, respectively.

The Iraqis, who have become one of the impressive teams in the Asian Cup 2007, took the lead after 90 seconds.

Skipper Mahmoud, who has been reported to be linked by Premiership newly-promoted side Sunderland, directed his header into the net following Nashat Akram’s free kick from the left.

Vietnam had to wait until 18th minutes to have their first shot onto the Iraqi goal. Striker Le Cong Vinh saw his shot was blocked for a corner before his long distance effort was comfortable taken by Noor Sabri.

Just before half-time, the co-host came close to equalising when left midfielder Nguyen Vu Phong burst through the centre and played one-two with Phong Hoa but the Binh Duong winger’s cross, which came across the area, was cleared by substitute Ahmad Abid Ali before Cong Vinh was able to finish off from close range.

The Iraqis doubled their lead on 64 minutes minute with Mahmoud, again, the scorer. The Sunderland-targeted striker curled home a free-kick, which gave goalie Duong Hong Son no chances.

Mahmoud almost completed his hat-trick 12 minutes before time but his downward header following Mahdi Karim’s cross from the right was saved by Hong Son.

The victory put Iraq, who exited the last three Asian Cups at the quarter-final stage, in the semi-final in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with either Iran or the Republic of Korea on July 26.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Asian Cup - Vietnam-Iraq preview: Against the odds

2007-10-17T14:21:00.000+07:00

Vietnam will have to show their fighting spirit as they did
in the group matches to beat stronger opponents Iraq.

Vietnam will take on Iraq in the first quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup in its history, knowing that it will be a tough match for them. Therefore, coach Alfred Riedl has called for his players’ display of their fighting spirit.

“We are underdogs and they are the favourites,” said Mr Riedl. “We need to have the fighting spirit we showed in the first two matches. The third match did not help us because Japan were simply too strong for us.”

Vietnam were outplayed by defending champions Japan in their final group match. However, they showed excellent performances against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar and earned a 2-0 victory the Gulf Cup winners and a 1-1 draw against 2006 Asian Games gold medallists Qatar.

The impressive results put Vietnam into the knockout stage of the Asian Cup for the first time in history. Vietnam finished fourth at the 1956 and 1960 tournaments, which were just four-team finals.

“They have won one match and draw another but getting to the quarter-finals has been a good achievement. I have asked the players why they are here, to lose a match or to go to Malaysia,” said Mr Riedl, who is currently in his third spell as head coach of Vietnam.

However, the coach considers the Iraqis favourites.

“We know Iraq will be a very strong opponent. They topped the group and that says something,” he said.

“They have a very strong physique and this might make the difference. But we will do everything we can to win this match as it is a decisive match as there can be no draw,” Mr Riedl added.

Mr Riedl side will enter the game with Iraq without central midfielder Phan Van Tai Em, who missed the match because of personal reasons, as he will get married on July 22.

There are also injury worries for the Austrian coach as centreback Ngyuen Huy Hoang and midfielder Tran Duc Duong are struggling with foot injuries.

“Preparations are going well although we have an injured central defender Huy Hoang,” said Mr Riedl. “He has a broken bone in his foot and we need to test him before the match. The doctor said it is not dangerous but we will leave it for the player to decide if he wants to play. Not me or the doctor as I will never force a player to play,” he added.

“Our midfielder also picked up a foot injury in training yesterday but the rest of the squad is OK. There are no other problems. The hotel is OK, the food is OK and the training has been OK. The biggest problem is Iraq.”

Meanwhile, Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira does not consider his side overwhelming favourites to reach the last four.

“Two days ago I was asked if I expected it to be an easy game or if Vietnam is afraid,” said the Brazilian. “I don’t believe this as football matches are won of the field, not outside the field or in the newspapers,” the coach added.

Iraq do not under-estimate Vietnam's strength.

Vietnam beat the UAE and drew with Qatar. Therefore, the Iraq coach paid respect to the co-hosts.

“We have to respect Vietnam because to get to this stage then they have had to qualify on merit,” Mr Vieira continued.

“Don’t forget they beat they UAE, who won the Gulf Cup a few months earlier, and they got a good result against Qatar. OK they lost heavily against Japan but we cannot analyse them on this one match,” he concluded.

Iraq produced impressive performance in the group stage, with their 3-1 win over the Socceroos. However, the coach said that his side do not under-estimate Vietnam.

“The players are not over-confident at all,” he said. “I pressure the players not to think that way. If you remember many people said that we were the underdogs in our match with Australia. Since the beginning we look to win every match. Now this competition is like an ejector chair. If you don’t win then you are out,” Mr Vieira said.

The Iraqis will be without suspended Qusay Munir and there are also fitness doubt over Hawar Mulla Mohammed and Saleh Sadir.

However, making changes seems nothing new to Mr Vieira, who has yet to field the same starting line-up since he took over Iraq in May.

“I have played 11 games and I can honestly say I have not started the same team in each match,” he said. “And in number 12 the team will be different again.”

“In football anything is possible. I hope that we win the game in 90 minutes because the winners will have to travel to Malaysia the next day, but if it goes to extra-time or penalties we will be ready,” he said.

The two sides have not met at the AFC Asian Cup. They have only played each other at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games qualifying round. Iraq won 3-1 in Syria, as their home, and drew 1-1 in Hanoi.

Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Asian Cup - Japan coach: Vietnam deserve to qualify

2007-10-17T14:18:00.000+07:00

After what they showed in three group matches,
Vietnam (red) deserved to reach the quarter-finals. (Photo: Vnexpress).

According to Japan coach Ivica Osim, co-hosts Vietnam deserved to qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup 2007 despite their 4-1 hammering defeat to his team in the final Group B match.

“They’ve been able to qualify for the quarter-finals because they have the ability to make things happen. After what they showed in their first two matches, they deserved it,” said the Bosnian coach at the post-match press conference.

Mr Osim seemed to have pleased with the way that his team responded after going down early when they came back to trounce the co-hosts 4-1, thus finishing top of Group B.

“You’ve got to cope with any type of situation in this type of game. Our players were nervous early in the game when our opponents came out aggressively. I won’t call it lucky but we were able to compete with them in the early minutes of the game, which was good,” said the 66 year old coach.

After going 1-0 down due to unlucky deflection of Keita Suzuki, the Japanese side quickly bounced back and went in front before half-time with goals by Seichiro Maki and Yasuhito Endo.

In the second half, Shunsuke Nakamura and Maki scored two more goals for the champions.

The coach said that his players soon understood the tactics of Vietnam, that why they recovered so quickly.

Remarking on the co-hosts’ performance, the Japan coach said: “They had good movement and upset us with their technique in the first half, when they were fresh.”

However, the coach said that when the Vietnamese players lost their stamina, they failed match his players.

“When they tired in the second half, they looked completely different.”

Mr Osim admitted that his side had been under pressure from the Japanese press as defending champions.

“We have been under pressure to qualify for the quarter-finals as we are the defending champions. It has been comfortable,” he said.

A few minutes earlier, Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl said he was happy that his team won the second place and a berth in the last eight, despite a heavy defeat to the champions.

“This is very good for Vietnam football and a very good achievement for the national team. Only a few people could have expected this result,” said Mr Riedl.

“We are very happy about this, of course,” he added.

The co-hosts luckily took the lead after eight minutes, and the coach said that he hoped the team could have been able to keep the lead for as long as possible.

“I had a little hope, of course, but not to win the match, only to keep that lead as long as possible to maybe get a draw,” said the Austrian coach.

However, the champions quickly got back into the game and scored four goals to seal a big win.

“I knew that the Japanese wouldn’t stop playing attacking football, and they scored their goal just a few minutes later. “The third match is more difficult, and I was expecting that because I know the difference in quality between the Japanese players and the Vietnamese players. Despite the heat and everything, they were more physical and had better technique. They can play better under pressure,” Mr Riedl explained.

The Vietnam coach said that he had been hoping for good news from the match in the south, where the United Arab Emirates played Qatar.

“Before the game, I thought the bigger chance to advance to the quarter-finals would be the result from the south. In the north, our match, we had little chance of getting a point. But in the south, anything was possible,” said Mr Riedl.

Mr Riedl’s hopes came true as the UAE came from behind to beat their neighbours Qatar 2-1, thus indirectly gifting Vietnam a place in the last eight.

“I’m happy because they (UAE) did something,” he said. “They were behind 1-0 according to my information but they continued working to draw level and even went to win the match.”

Vietnam will travel to Bangkok and they will play Group A winners Iraq in the quarter-finals on July 21 and Riedl hinted that his side could still cause a few surprises.

“Vietnam may surprise people again. You never know,” the coach said.

Despite playing away from the My Dinh stadium, where Vietnamese supporters fill to its capacity, the coach seems unconcerned.

“It will depend not on the venue, but the performance and what you can do against strong opponents. In the quarter-finals, there are no weak opponents.”

Reported by Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Officials and players delighted as Vietnam progress

2007-10-17T14:13:00.000+07:00

A few people expected that Vietnam would be in quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup (Photo: Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon)

Officials, coaches and players of the Vietnamese team were happy when Vietnam reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in history.

Nguyen Trong Huy, president of the Vietnam Football Federation, said: “Even in my dreams, I do not dare to believe in this result. A draw in a such tough group, (which featured defending champions Japan, Asian Games gold medallists Qatar and Gulf Cup holders United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam) seemed to have been too tough a job for Vietnam."

Talking about the 2-1 victory by the UAE, which indirectly helped Vietnam go through, the VFF president said: “We have to thank the UAE. They made great efforts in their final match at the tournament, which was crucial to help us through. However, Vietnam played well and deserved to qualify."

The leader of Vietnamese football governing body spoke highly of fighting spirit of the team.

"The biggest feature of the tournament has been our players' fighting spirit, which helped us succeed in the previous games," Mr Hy added.

Talking about next opponents for Vietnam, Mr Hy said that if he could choose, he would prefer Thailand. However, the VFF leader said all opponents in the quarter-finals are strong. So, it may be difficult for Vietnam to reach the semi-finals, but Mr Hy said he hope that the players would show good spirit as they had in their three previous Group matches.

Assistant coach Mai Duc Chung shared the same idea with Mr Hy, saying: "We deserved to reach the quarter-finals, despite needing a little luck. The players showed great spirit."

Centreback Huy Hoang, who started the game despite his pain, said: "I was sad as I did not play as well as I did in the two previous games."

The centreback said that great support from home fans helped him and teammates.

Talking about next opponents, Hoang said that he preferred Thailand in the quarter-finals. However, his wish did not come true as Thailand exited the tournament after a 4-0 defeat to Australia.

Reported by Tuyet Loan

Source Nhan Dan

Asian Cup - Vietnam make history

2007-10-17T14:10:00.000+07:00

Tai Em (left) opened the scoring for Vietnam, who reached the quarter-finals for the first time. (Photo: Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon).

Co-hosts Vietnam have made history as they reach the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup despite a 4-1 crushing defeat to defending champions Japan in Hanoi.

Phan Van Tai Em was lucky to open the scoring for Vietnam after eight minutes. However, the three-time champions bounced back quickly, scoring four goals through Seiichiro Maki, who scored a brace, Yasuhito Endo and Shunsuke Nakamura.

Despite the defeat, Vietnam still adnvanced to the quarter-finals as Qatar, the main rivals for Vietnam in a race with the co-hosts for a berth in the last eight collapsed to their neighbours United Arab Emirates with a 2-1 defeat in a match which took place at the same time in Ho Chi Minh City.

Coach Alfred Riedl made a change to Vietnam’s starting XI that beat the United Arab Emirates 2-0 and drew 1-1 with Qatar, as Nguyen Minh Chuyen replaced striker Phan Thanh Binh. This means that the Vietnamese side opted more defensive formation with only Le Cong Vinh in front.

It was Japan to start the game aggressively, as they kept heavy pressure on the Vietnam defence in the first five minutes. before Vietnam gained their possession. Nguyen Vu Phong posed a regular threat on the right wing.

The hosts took the lead after eight minutes. Vu Phong’s corner kick found Phan Van Tai Em in the Japanese box and Dong Tam Long An midfielder’s finish deflected Keita Suzuki leaving Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi no chances.

Japan, however, showed their strength as favourites to win the tournament as they bounced back almost immediately.

Seiichiro Maki levelled the score after four minutes. Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura rounded centreback Nguyen Huy Hoang, leaving the Vietnamese centreback on ground before flicking a fine cross for Maki to head home at the far post.

Japan dominated the game but the Vietnamese side were dangerous in counter-attacks after the score was levelled.

The co-hosts could restore their lead when Vu Phong curled the ball just wide of Kawaguchi’s left post after a good link up of Minh Phuong and Tan Tai.

The lead three-time champions Japan, who came close on several occasions, deserved came on 31 minutes.

After Huy Hoang chopped down Naohiro Takahara on the left edge of the box, Yasuhito Endo curled his effort to the far corner, which flew over the stretching Duong Hong Son and found the net.

Japan continued to threat the Vietnamese goal but the co-hosts centreback Huy Hoang and Nhu Thanh stopped all the Japanese attacks.

At the other end, Cong Vinh and Tai Em occasionally threat Kagawuchi’s goal but they failed to score.

Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City, the UAE could hold Qatar for 41 minutes before Sebastian Quintana fired home a spot kick.

This meant Japan and Qatar were in a good position to win two places in the quarter-finals.

After the break, Japan continued to be the better side. They extended their advantage soon after the interval.

Yuichi Komano and Endo exchanged some passes on the left edge of the Vietnamese box before Endo cut in to provide a neat pass for Nakamura, who cannoned a shot to the top of the net.

Two minutes before the hour mark, the three-time champions extended their lead with Maki netting his second. Endo’s freekick from the left flank found Maki at the far post, and despite being pulled by Nhu Thanh, Maki headed home the fourth goal.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the UAE levelled the score, helping Vietnam continue to hope for reaching the last eight.

Saeed Alkas, who scored the consolation goal for the UAE in the match with Japan, scored the equaliser for the UAE as coach Bruno Metsu’s side were seeking their first points in the tournament.

In Hanoi, Japan continued to be the better side, despite resting their scorers Maki, Endo and Nakamura.

The champions could have made it 5-1 when Nhu Thanh in an effort to clear substitute Koki Mizuno’s cross from the left, kicked the ball towards his own goal. Fortunately, Hong Son used his leg to block.

As Vietnam failed to level the score with Japan, after the final whistle Vietnamese players, coaches and fans were seen being on the pitch and waiting for the result from the match in Ho Chi Minh City, which ended few minutes later.

After a call to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese players and coaches jumped for joys as they knew they had progressed. Faisal Khalil scored the winner for the UAE four minutes into stoppage time, sealing a 2-1 for the UAE.

Vietnam now will play their quarter-finals in Bangkok, against leaders of Group A, whose final matches kicked off later, five days later.

Meanwhile, Japan will stay in Hanoi to play Group A’s runners-up.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Asian Cup Vietnam-Japan preview: Most difficult game for co-hosts

2007-10-17T14:03:00.000+07:00

Vietnam will have a tough job against defending champions Japan. (Photo: Reuters).

Co-hosts Vietnam will enter their final Group B match with defending champions Japan on July 16 with a task of earning at least a point to keep alive their hope of reaching the last eight of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in its history.
However, the task proves to be difficult for coach Alfred Riedl’s side, despite Vietnam currently standing neck-and-neck with Japan on top of Group B with four points after two games.

Vietnam, Japan and Qatar are in contention for two berths in the last eight. The final match between Vietnam and Japan in Hanoi, and between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Ho Chi Minh City, both take place at the same time at 5:20pm, will decide who will go through.

Only victory will send Vietnam directly to the last eight. Otherwise, a draw or a defeat will leave them hoping Qatar fail to beat their neighbours UAE.

Addressing a pre-match conference in Hanoi a day before the clash, Mr Riedl said: “Vietnam football is facing the most difficult match of its history. Unfortunately, we will have to play the strongest team in the group, and maybe the title favourites in the tournament. So, it is difficult to achieve something and it is a very tough match for us to win.”

The Vietnam’s job has become more difficult when key players, including goalie Duong Hong Son, and centreback duo Nguyen Huy Hoang and Vu Nhu Thanh, who contributed to a 2-0 victory and a 1-1 draw with Qatar, are doubtful for the clash against Japan.

“Hong Son was training for 25 minutes before calling for help from the doctors. Huy Hoang had some problems with his ankle while Nhu Thanh resumed a full training with the team. However, they may start in the game against Japan,” said Mr Rield.

Talking about tactics of the Vietnam team during the match against Japan, Mr Riedl said when the team play against weak opponents, they will play an attacking football. Otherwise, when they face such strong opponents as Japan, the team will have to defend.

“Maybe, we will play 70% defending and 30% attacking. However, whenever we have a chance for counter attacks, we will play counter attacks,” said the Vietnam coach.

Remarking his side’s opponents, the Austrian coach said: “In my eyes, Japan play very good football. I like their style of play with good fast passing, using the abilities of their players. I’ve not seen that from other teams in the tournament. That means it will be extremely difficult for us to achieve one point.”

A draw between Japan and Vietnam and victory for Qatar would see the places in the last eight decided by goal difference, with Qatar needing to win by three goals to be certain, while Vietnam needing to score at least two goals against Japan to be through.

“Of course, I’d like to see a draw in Ho Chi Minh City so that it doesn’t matter what we do. I hope the UAE can play 100% and can do something against Qatar,” added Mr Riedl.

Even if Vietnam fail to complete their task, what they have done so far has become a great achievement. Prior to the tournament’s kick-off Vietnam were outsiders and were expected to earn a point from their three games. They are now four points after two games.

“Even if we cannot go to the quarter-finals, it is already a big achievement what we’ve done until now,” said Mr Riedl.

“We hope we can satisfy our spectators, despite the result, by playing good football,” he added.

Also present at the press conference, captain and playmaker Nguyen Minh Phuong said: “We will do our best as we did in our previous two games. If we can go through it will be historical event of Vietnamese football. However, Japan are tough to be beaten.”

Asked about a possibility of a clash between Thailand in Group A and Vietnam in Group B in the quarter-finals, if Vietnam go through as runners-up of their Group, Minh Phuong said: “It will be an interesting game. If we enter and play Thailand, we will beat them.”

Meanwhile, Japan coach Ivica Osim was cautious before the clash, saying that Vietnam have a lot of advantages.

“Vietnam have many advantages because they are playing at home with their home crowd in a climate they are familiar with. They have a chance to play a good game,” said Mr Osim. “It is hard to tell what the game will be like.”

Japan currently on top the group ahead of Vietnam following their 3-1 victory over the UAE and a victory will secure a place in the last eight.

The champions would still advance if they fail to win at the My Dinh national stadium and Qatar fail to beat the UAE in Ho Chi Minh City.

But Mr Osim said that Japan will focus on their own game.

“It’s best to focus on the game you are playing. It’s not wise to do guess work. But my staff and I can do some math. We’ve done all the calculations we need,” said the Bosnian coach.

The 66-year-old coach said Japan’s top priority is to get through to the next round, regardless of which position they finish in Group B.

“Whether you get through by winning the group or coming in second, it doesn’t matter. All you’ve got to do is to get through to the next round,” said Mr Osim.

The coach denied a possible line-up of substitutes for the match with Vietnam.

Midfielder Yasuhito Endo, who was also at the press conference with Mr Osim, said: “Vietnam have got their supporters on their back and have momentum. But we are not considering a draw; we are going for a win. I’d like to run more and create many chances for scoring.”

It will be the first meeting between Vietnam and Japan at the Asian Cup. They did not meet each other recently.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Asian Cup Vietnam-Qatar preview: Important game for both sides

2007-10-16T00:03:00.000+07:00

Vietnam will have an important game with Qatar. (Photo: Vietnamnet).

Co-hosts Vietnam and Qatar will have an important game on July 12, which may decide who could go further to the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup 2007.

Vietnam earned a historic triumph, shocking Gulf Cup champions United Arab Emirates with a 2-0 victory on July 8. Vietnam are current leaders of Group B. However, to secure their first time presence in the Asian Cup quarter-finals, coach Alfred Riedl’s men need to a victory in their two last matches.

Qatar, on the other hand, earned a crucial point in their match with defending champions Japan a day later.

Therefore, talking about the match with co-hosts Vietnam, Qatar coach Dzemaludin Musovic said: “This game is very important for both teams. I think that everyone who comes to the game will be pleased with the quality of the football. Nobody knows what is going to happen, but both teams must play to win to help their chances of qualification.”

The former Yugoslavia assistant coach went on to say: ““It was a good thing for us that we did not have to play the first game against Vietnam. We have managed to collect a lot of information from their game against the Emirates and the whole team know they must not make the same mistakes as the Emirates team.”

Mr Musovic believes that the UAE underestimated the strength of Vietnam, a mistake his side will not be repeating in their meeting with Vietnam.

“The Emirates team did not prepare and did not take the game against Vietnam seriously. The coach and the technical staff would be stressed how much quality Vietnam have, but the players did not accept this and they believed they would have an easy game.

“They controlled the game for 30 minutes but after that their performance and concentration went down. After half-time Vietnam dominated the game. Footballers must play for the entire game to get a positive result.”

Qatar will be without suspended Hussain Yaser, who was dismissed in stoppage time in the Qatar clash against Japan.

If Mr Musovic is suspended, it will be decisive blow for Qatar, despite the coach’s denial. (Photo; VTC).

Mr Musovic was also sent to the stands after protesting over Yaser’s dismissal. His fate will be decided at a meeting of the AFC’s Disciplinary Committee late on July 11.

However, the coach said that his position was not important as he was the coach and did not play on the field. Also, he would be able to meet his team in the dressing room.

Talking about his team’s preparations for the match with Vietnam, Musovic said: “We worked on being ready for the first game, but also I spoke to the players how it is important to be physically ready to make improvements during the competition. I think now we have a good situation and I am sure the players will be 15-20% better physically and they will be ready for Vietnam. If we played at 100% in the first game, I think in the next game our performance would go down.”

“I think we have a small advantage in quality before the game, but Vietnam also have an advantage as they play at home in front of their supporters, we must wait who comes out on top,” added Mr Musovic.

The Qatar skipper said that the Qatari players were ready for the clash with Vietnam, saying that the coach had had information from the match between Vietnam and the UAE and would have good tactics to help Qatar win. He went on to say that Qatar would play with a different tactic from theirs during the match against Japan to earn three points.

Meanwhile, coach Alfred Rield said: “The match with Qatar will be similar to the first match. Maybe, for Qatar, the match is less important than for us, as we will play Japan in the final match and Japan are real favourites for us.”

Talking about the possible end for the match, Mr Riedl said: “At the moment you never know, because so many the so-called favourites have their problems in the tournament. But I think after two matches, ours and the match between Qatar and Japan, both teams share a 50%-50% chance.”

Mr Riedl said that there were no injury worries for the co-hosts, so Vietnam will have their best squad for the match against Qatar.

The coach shrugged off the pressure on himself and the players, saying: “I don’t feel pressure, because we play in the tournament as outsiders. We know if we win, we are through, if we lose, we may be out, but we are not given much pressure.”

About the absence of Hussain Yaser, Mr Rield said that it would not be different as Qatar had 23 players and if Yaser was suspended another player would replace him.

In the past, Vietnam played Qatar twice at the World Cup qualifying round in 1994. They lost with the same score of 4-0 in both legs.

Now, it is time to change.

Vietnam available from: Duong Hong Son, Bui Quang Huy, Tran Duc Cuong, Nguyen Huy Hoang, Vu Nhu Thanh, Huynh Quang Thanh, Phung Van Nhien, Pham Hung Dung, Dong Huy Thai, Chau Phong Hoa, Doan Viet Cuong, Mai Tien Thanh, Nguyen Vu Phong, Nguyen Minh Phuong, Phan Van Tai Em, Le Tan Tai, Nguyen Minh Chuyen, Tran Duc Duong, Phung Cong Minh, Nguyen Anh Duc, Le Cong Vinh, Phan Thanh Binh and Huynh Phuc Hiep; and

Qatar available from: Mohamed Saqr, Rajab Hamza, Bilal Mohammed, Ibrahim Al Ghanim, Meshal Mubarak, Ali Nasser, Saad Al Shammari, Mostafa Abdulla, Ibrahim Majed, Abdullah Koni, Mesaad Al Hamad, Majadi Siddiq, Talal Al Bloushi, Wesam Rizik, Seyd Bechir, Ali Afef, Magid Mohamed, Younes Ali, Mohamed Gholam, Waleed Jassim, Adel Lamy, Sebastian Quintana.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Asian Cup 2007 - We deserved to win, says coach

2007-10-15T10:33:00.001+07:00

Despite his men's impressive victory, coach Alfred Riedl is cautious. (Photo: VFF).

Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl said his side deserved to win the match against the UAE in the first match of Group B in Hanoi on July 8.

The coach said that: "It was an exciting match. I thought the team who scored first would be the winners. We scored two goals and deserved to win.”

Vietnam earned their first victory at the AFC Asian Cup, beating the UAE 2-0 through goals by Huynh Quang Thanh and Le Cong Vinh.

However, the coach was cautious to say about the co-hosts chance of advancing to the knockout stages, despite his men's impressive performance.

“We were the outsiders at the start, but there are still two games to go and you never know what can happen. There may still be disappointment."

“We prepared well, we were ready, but so were the UAE after their Gulf Cup victory.”

UAE coach Bruno Metsu spoke highly of Vietnam, saying: "They played a fantastic game. I was not surprised how well Vietnam played because they played two friendly games and scored eight goals and we knew that before the game.

“Today we missed several chances to score and also Vietnam had passionate fans behind them."

The French coach went on saying: "“After the first goal you have to comeback quickly, it is vital to comeback quickly so you can get a draw or a win. At 1-0 anything is possible, in the last five or 10 minutes you can comeback, but we didn’t manage that today.”

He said that the team, featuring many young players, who were playing in the Asian Cup for the first time, learn a good lesson in dealing with pressure from home fans and the match officers.

Despite the defeat, Mr Metsu remains confident his side can recover from the setback to reach the last eight after his side bounced back from an opening game defeat by Oman at the Gulf Cup to win the tournament for the first time in January.

“In the Gulf Cup we lost the first game, so we still have a chance to comeback,” said the former Senegal coach. “We had many young players playing their first game in the Asian Cup. We will try and win the next game, anything is possible when you believe," say the coach.

Reported by Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

(Asian Cup 2007) Vietnam - UAE :2-0 .Co-hosts’ historic triumph shocks Gulf Cup champions

2007-10-15T10:30:00.000+07:00

Striker Le Cong Vinh lobbed the ball into the net,
sealing a historic victory for co-hosts Vietnam. (Photo: VTC)

Vietnam started their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a thrilling 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through second half goals by Huynh Quang Thanh and Le Cong Vinh.

Quang Thanh, who returned to the team after missing the team’s final friendly against Bahrain, broke the deadlock for the hosts after the hour mark.

Striker Cong Vinh Cong Vinh wrapped up the co-hosts’ first win at the Asian Cup, leaving Group B, which also features defending champions Japan and Qatar, wide open.

The UAE’s Faisal Khalil came closest to scoring but his finish to the far corner in the first half was tipped away by Vietnamese goalie Duong Hong Son.

Talking at a post-match conference, Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl said: “It was an exciting match. I think the team who score first would be the winners. We scored two goals and deserved to win.”

The Vietnamese team played a fantastic game just before President Nguyen Minh Triet and AFC President Mohammed Bin Hamman also were seen at the My Dinh stadium, especially in the second half after both sides failed to score in the first half.

The game began at a frantic pace in a fantastic atmosphere created by a nearly full crowd at the My Dinh national stadium.

Vietnam’s chance went to Phan Thanh Binh, who headed a good freekick from Quang Thanh just wide.

At the other end Ismaeil Matar curled a free-kick from the edge of the area just wide of the post.

Duong Hong Son made a full length diving save after 30 minutes to keep the score level after Khalil rounded Huy Hoang and broke into the area, looking to find the far bottom corner with a low shot.

After the break, the home side started their game in an aggressive fashion. Nguyen Vu Phong forced a diving save from UAE goalkeeper Majed Naser with a stinging low shot from the edge of the area. The goalie was then quick to comfortably save Thanh Binh’s follow-up shot.

The UAE replied almost immediately with Basheer Saeed powering a freekick, which was saved by Hong Son.

Vietnam delighted the home crowd four minutes after the hour mark as Quang Thanh powered on captain Nguyen Minh Phuong’s chipped pass into the area, which gave a Majed Naser no chance.

Explaining the reason of his side’s defeat to the co-hosts afterward, Bruno Metsu said his team, after going 1-0 down, wanted to come back immediately, so they played open, giving the hosts space and time to play.

The co-hosts side almost doubled the lead a minute later as Naser parried Thanh Binh’s powerful close range strike and Minh Phuong scooped the rebound over the bar.

The crucial second goal came 10 minutes later as Cong Vinh beat the UAE’s offside trap to lob Vu Phong’s through ball over the advancing Naser from the edge of the area.

The victory put Vietnam on top of Group B for at least one day, just before champions Japan and Qatar play each other on July 9.

Vietnam: Duong Hong Son, Phung Van Nhien, Nguyen Huy Hoang, Vu Nhu Thanh, Huynh Quang Thanh, Nguyen Vu Phong, Phan Van Tai Em, Nguyen Minh Phuong (Nguyen Minh Chuyen – 78’), Le Tan Tai, Le Cong Vinh (Huynh Phuc Hiep – 90’)and Phan Thanh Binh (Nguyen Anh Duc - 84’); and

UAE: Majed Nasser, Rashid Abdulrahman, Haydar Alo-Ali, Yousef Jaber, Bashir Saeed, Abdulsalam Juma, Ahmed Mubarek (Ahmed Mohamed - 64’), Hilal Saeed, F Khalil, Ismail Matar and Mohamed Saeed (Amir Mubarak – 81’)

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Asian Cup 2007 - What chance for Vietnam?

2007-10-15T10:24:00.000+07:00

Japan are expected to win the group and are favourites to win the tournament. (Photo: VTC).

Vietnam will start their 2007 AFC Asian Cup campaign with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 8, just one day after the kick off of the continental football feast. As Vietnam are grouped with defending champions Japan, Gulf Cup holders UAE and 15th Asian Games gold medallist Qatar, what chance is for Vietnam?

Vietnam's coach Alfred Riedl said: "All three teams are stronger than us. Japan are favourites to win the group and the tournament."

Japan, who won three out of four recent tournaments and are hoping to win a third-straight title, are certain favourites to top the group. However, the Japanese team are now not as strong as they were at the 2002 World Cup, when they reached the knock out stage.

Building on the World Cup success, Japan won the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, beating hosts China in the final. At last year's World Cup, Japan, as Asian champions, failed to produce an impressive performance, exiting the group stage. After a poor result at the World Cup, Brazilian coach Zico stepped down. Also, some established stars, such as Hidetoshi Nakata, hanged up the boots.

Japan, coached by Bosnian Ivica Osim, rebuilt their squad, relying on domestic-based stars. The players, who were underestimated, by Mr Osim's predecessor, helped Japan reach final, when Japan were not granted an automatic passage as the champions for the first time.

Japan will be the toughest opponents for Vietnam in Group B. A victory seems to be an impossibility for the co-hosts.

Vietnam, therefore, will have to earn good results in their clash against the UAE and Qatar, before playing Japan in their final group match.

However, Mr Riedl spoke highly of the UEA and Qatar, expecting that the second place in the group would go to the UAE or Qatar.

Both UAE and Qatar have shown their progress recently.

The UAE, as hosts of the Gulf Cup won their first regional title in their history.

The UAE are also tough opponents as Gulf Cup holders. (Photo: VTC).

Ismail Matar is tipped as the UAE player to watch at the Asian Cup. He played an instrumental role in steering the UAE to their first-ever Gulf Cup triumph with five goals in as many matches, including the winner in the final against Oman, and was subsequently named the best player in the tournament.

Qatar, on the other hand, have emerged as a force in Asian football. After a poor performance in China in 2004, Qatar won their second Gulf Cup in December of the same year in Doha.

Last year, they, as hosts of the 15th Asian Games, won the gold medal in men's football.

Their player to watch is Sebastian Soria, who will be hoping for a prolific tournament.

For co-hosts, they started to prepare for the event on June 16. Just prior to the kick off of the tournament, they played two friendly games against Jamaica and Bahrain and won. They scored eight goals and conceded three. Also recently, Vietnam have achieved good results at the qualifying round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

This has helped the co-hosts become more confident in the run-up to the AFC Asian Cup.

In the previous years, Vietnam found it difficult playing against opponents from Western Asian. They lost 4-0 in both legs of the 1994 World Cup qualifying stage and failed to upset Oman in the qualifying round of the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, going down 8-0 on aggregate after two legs. In 2004, they lost 2-0 to Lebanon in the home match of the 2006 World Cup qualifying round, before earning a point in Beirut.

Now, the victories over Lebanon and Oman in the qualifying round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Bahrain in a friendly will help the hosts become more confident in their clashes with the UAE and Qatar.

Despite being underdog to Japan, the UEA and Qatar, Vietnam can still create their own chances. (Photo: Vietnamnet).

Even though the under-23 team are quite different from the national team, as Mr Riedl said, the victory may be of great significance for the like of Le Cong Vinh, Phan Thanh Binh, and Nguyen Anh Duc, who have gained experience from their clashes with Oman and Lebanon. It may help them during the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.

Also, Vietnamese players share the same idea that they have nothing to lose when playing against best teams in Asia. This may help them shrug off the pressure.

Importantly, they will have the support from Vietnamese fans, who will fill the My Dinh stadium to capacity. This will be a significant advantage.

Finally, as Mr Riedl said even though Japan are favourites and the UAE and Qatar are stronger opponents, it is all on paper.

Vietnam still can create own chances.

Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Asian Cup 2007 Qatar to arrive today

2007-10-15T10:21:00.001+07:00

Photo www.kooora.com

The Qatari national football team, with 28 players, will arrive in Hanoi today evening to attend the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.

Coached by Dzemaludin Musovic, Qatar have shown great progress, having emerged as new force in Asian football.

Prior to the AFC Asian Cup, Qatar had a two-week training tour in Germany. They beat Ghana 3-1 and Turkmenistan in a friendly matches.

Before heading to Vietnam, Qatar camped in Thailand, where they played two games against co-hosts Thailand.

In the first match, which was interrupted by rain Qatar drew 1-1 on June 30 and when the two side replayed on July 2, Qatar lost 2-0. They will stay in the same hotel with co-hosts Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and Japan, who have arrived in Hanoi.

Following is a list of players of the Qatari team:

Mohd Saqr, Majid Mohd, Wesam Rizik, Ibrahim Alghanim, Masaad Alhamad, Bilal Mohd, Adel Lami, Waleed Jassim, Yosif Ahmed, Sayid Ali, Rajb Hamza, Saad Alshammari, Walid Hamza, Sabistyan Surya, Hussin Yassir, Abdulla Abaid, Majdi Abdulla, Talal Albloshi, Meshal Mobarak, Ali Nassir, Mustafa Mohd, Ibrahim Majid, Yonis Ali, Ali Hassan, Muaz Yosif, Baba Malik, Mohd Ghodlam, Mustafa Jalal.

Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Asian Cup 2007 : Japan team to arrive today

2007-10-15T09:30:00.000+07:00

Japan Photo www.wldcup.com

Defending champions Japan will arrive in Vietnam late today, at 9:50pm before starting their 2007 AFC Asian Cup campaign.

The Japanese team, with 23 players, will stay at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel. They will start their campaign with Qatar on July 9, they play the United Arab Emirates four days later before clashing co-hosts Vietnam on July 16.

In preparation for the event, Japan played five friendlies against India, Saudi Arabia, Peru, Montenegro and Colombia and they won four matches and only the match with Colombia ended 0-0.

Following is the list of 23 players of the Japanese team:

Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus Eight), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale), Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F. Marinos), Keisuke Tsuboi (Urawa Reds), Akira Kaji (Gamba Osaka), Yuichi Komano (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic), Hideo Hashimoto (Gamba Osaka), Naotake Hanyu (JEF United Chiba), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Keita Suzuki (Urawa Reds), Yuki Abe (Urawa Reds), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Satoru Yamagishi (JEF United Chiba), Yoshiaki Ota (Jubilo Iwata), Koki Mizuno (JEF United Chiba), Naohiro Takahara (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ryuji Bando (Gamba Osaka), Seiichiro Maki (JEF United Chiba), Hisato Sato (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata).

Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Asian Cup 2007 : UAE arrive

2007-10-15T09:28:00.001+07:00

UAE Team. Photo www.uae-football.org

The national football team of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), opponents of co-hosts Vietnam in their opening match in Group B of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup arrived in Hanoi today.

The UAE team with 24 players, coached by French Bruno Metsu will stay at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel.

They will play Vietnam in the opening match of Group B on July 8.

Following is a list of officials and players of the UAE team

Officials and coaches:

Yousuf Yaqoob Yousuf AlSerkal, president of UAE Football Federation

Mahamed Khalfan AlRomithi, vice president of UAE Football Federation

Mohamed AbdulWahab Darkhan, general secretary of UAE Football Federation

Abdulla Hassan Abdulla, team manager

Bruno Metsu, head coach

Coaches: Dominique Bathenay; Massimi Liano Marchesi, Patrice Coutard and Jozef Hros

Jalal El-Gali, doctor

Players: Abdulraheem Juma Anbar, Basheer Saeed Basheer, Hilal Saeed Humaid, Humaid Fakher Hussain, Ismail Matar Ibrahim, Haidar Alo Ali, Majed Naser Humaid, Ismail Rabee Juma, Essa Ali Moosa, Khaled Darwish Hassan, Amir Mubarak Ghanim, Mohamed Khamis Salem, Mohamed Qassim Juma, Faisal Khalil Mubarak, Ahmed Mohamed Mubarak, Mohamed Saeed Al Shihi, Saeed Hassan Al-Kas, Nawaf Mubarak Musabeh, Saif Mohamed Siddiq, Rashid AbdulRahman Mohamed, Ali Msarri Rashed, Waleed Salem Sulaiman, Yousef Jabel Naser, Hassan Ali Ibrahim.

Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Hosts come from behind to beat Bahrain 5-3

2007-10-15T09:21:00.001+07:00

Striker Le Cong Vinh scored a brace before being substituted after the interval due to an injury. (Photo: VTC).

Hosts Vietnam came from 1-0 down to beat Bahrain 5-3 in a friendly in My Dinh on June 30. The scorers for the Vietnamese team include Le Cong Vinh, Mai Tien Thanh, Phan Thanh Binh and Nguyen Anh Duc.
Meanwhile, Mohmood Abdulrahman, Ala’a Ahmen Habail and Jaycee John Akwani were named in the scoresheet for Bahrain.

Vietnam made four changes in their starting XI, with Duong Hong Son replacing Bui Quang Huy in goal, Phung Van Nhien coming for injured Huynh Quang Thanh at rightback, Nguyen Minh Phuong and Phan Van Tai Em replacing Tran Duc Duong and Nguyen Minh Chuyen.

The hosts made a dreadfully poor start, going 1-0 down after three minutes. Husain Ali Ahmeh made a good run, cutting in from the left flank and setting up Ala’s Ahmed Hubail, whose shot was blocked by Hong Son. Abdulrahman quickly slotted the rebound into the net.

However, it took the hosts eight minutes to level the score. Phung Van Nhien’s pinpoint cross from the right wing, set up striker Cong Vinh to beat towering Bahrain defenders to head home the equaliser, gaiving Ali Hassan Ali Hussain no chances.

Six minutes after the equaliser, the hosts went in front for the first time. Ali Hussain made a mistake when he cleared the ball directly to Cong Vinh, who did not miss the gift, slotting the ball into the unguarded net.

At the other end, Abdulrahman continued to be the most dangerous Bahrain player, testing his luck with a long distance shot, which troubled Hong Son.

After Thanh Binh failed to get his final touch to reach Cong Vinh’s good cross, Bahrain replied immediately with Ali Ahmed having two chances in one minute. His first shot was saved by Hong Son and the second sidenetted.

Four minutes from half time, Thanh Binh and Cong Vinh made a good combination to release leftback Tien Thanh, whose shot was saved by Ali Hussain.

Ali Hussain made his second mistakes in the match, fumbling the ball into the net after Tien Thanh’s 30 metre finish seven minutes into the second half.

After the hour mark, Ahmed Hubail narrowed the gap, finding the net from a close range after a good work by Abdulrahman, who rounded Le Tan Tai before flicked the ball past Vietnamese defenders and goalie Hong Son.

The hosts almost restored their two goal lead six minutes later when Nguyen Vu Phong’s header after a good cross by Minh Phuong was denied by Ali Hussain, who also made a good save against Tan Tai’s finish after the rebound fell onto his path.

Substitute John Akwani levelled the score after centreback Vu Nhu Thanh’s mistake. The Bahraini striker made no mistakes, slotting the ball past Hong Son on 72 minutes.

However, Bahrain’s joy last for only five minutes. Substitute Nguyen Anh Duc, who came in for Cong Vinh after the break, released Van Nhien, who cut in and powered a finish from outside the box. Ali Hussain blocked Van Nhien’s finish but was unable to stop Thanh Binh from slotting home the rebound.

Both Anh Duc (21) and Thanh Binh (18) scored in the match. (Photo: VTC).

It was Anh Duc again to release Thanh Binh with a neat through ball but Thanh Binh’s finish was saved by Ali Hussain just five minutes from time.

Phung Cong Minh, who replaced Phan Van Tai Em and Thanh Binh combined to set up Anh Duc with a neat pass and the striker rounded Ali Hussain before finding the unguarded net.

In stoppage time, Anh Duc had another chance to score but his shot to the far corner of Ali Hussain went inches wide.

“It was an exciting math for all of us,” said Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl when he started the post match press conference. “However, the victory says nothing to next matches against the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Japan,” Mr Riedl was cautious when predicting about the result of the clashes between his team with top Asian opponents.

“Bahrain are strong team. They played very well and we won with a little luck,” Mr Riedl added.

Talking about centreback Huy Hoang and Nhu Thanh, the coach said that it was tough for them to compete with strong strikers. They had to work hard. In the matches against the UAE, Qatar and Japan, they will face more problems from top strikers, who are much better than strikers in the domestic league.

Meanwhile, coach Milan Macala said: “We have problems with two defenders and goalkeeper. We have known the problems during our training in Austria and will have to find solutions before competing in Indonesia.”

Vietnam: Duong Hong Son; Vu Nhu Thanh, Nguyen Huy Hoang, Mai Tien Thanh, Phung Van Nhien; Nguyen Minh Phuong, Phan Van Tai Em, Le Tan Tai, Nguyen Vu Phong; Le Cong Vinh and Phan Thanh Binh; and

Bahrain: Ali Hasan Ali Hussain, Mohamed Hussain Mohd, Abdullah Rahman Marzooq, Mahmood Abdulrahman, Rashed Rahman Saif, Husain Ali Ahmed, Abdullah Baba Fatadi, Salman Isa Ali, Abdulla Ismael Omar, Husain Hussain Maki, Ala’a Ahmed Hubail.

NGOC KHANH

Source: Nhan Dan

Vietnam – Bahrain friendly preview: Opportunity to test formations

2007-10-15T09:17:00.001+07:00

The return of Minh Phuong (white), who scored a goal against under-23 Bahrain (red) will help the Vietnamese team. (Photo: Vietnam Sports newspaper).

Vietnam will host Bahrain in their final friendly prior the kick off of the AFC Asian Cup, which will start on July 7. This will be an opportunity for both sides to test their formations.

Vietnam will start the game with some changes in their starting XI, welcoming back skipper Nguyen Minh Phuong and his teammate at Dong Tam Long An, Phan Van Tai Em, who missed the national team’s 3-0 victorious friendly against Jamaica.

Talking with the local media just one day before the friendly against Bahrain, assistant coach Mai Duc Chung said: “It was a good news that Minh Phuong and Tai Em may fit for the match as we will consider the match with Bahrain as an opportunity to learn experience for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup.”

With Tran Truong Giang and Le Hong Minh failing to impress coach Alfred Riedl to join his squad for the AFC Asian Cup, Minh Phuong and Tai Em are first choices for central midfield.

However, the duo had to race to recover from their injuries to join the national team in the AFC Asian Cup. They both resumed full training with the team and are likely to lead the midfield in the clash with Bahrain.

The return of Minh Phuong and Tai Em will help coach Riedl ease his injury worries as Nguyen Minh Chuyen, who played in the friendly against Jamaica is sidelined and will return after five days. His partner Tran Duc Duong will return to the bench, paving the way for Dong Tam Long An’s duo.

Another player will also miss the clash is rightback Huynh Quang Thanh, who was seen limping off during the match with Jamaica and Phung Van Nhien will be the top choice at rightback.

Mr Chung said: “Minh Chuyen and Quang Thanh are suffering from light injuries but with the AFC Asian Cup getting closer, we will rest them for tournament.”

Recently, leftback Nguyen Van Bien failed to recover from his knee injury and was removed from the squad. Chau Phong Hoa was called up to replace him but Phong Hoa could hardly make starting XI.

Instead, Mai Tien Thanh, who played well at leftback in the friendly with Jamaica, will be top choice for Mr Riedl.

In fact, Mr Riedl has found his best squad for the AFC Asian Cup, Minh Phuong and Tai Em will be the final players in his starting XI. Now, it is time for him to test his formation.

Mr Chung revealed: “We will start with a 4-4-1-1 formation, playing counter attacking football against such strong team as Bahrain.”

If the Vietnamese side start with a 4-4-1-1 formation, striker Le Cong Vinh will play behind Phan Thanh Binh or Nguyen Anh Duc. Cong Vinh was successful in playing behind Thanh Binh in the qualifying round of the Olympic team. It will not be difficult for him to take the role.

This may be the formation the Vietnamese side will use when playing against stronger opponents, like Japan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Meanwhile, Bahrain assistant coach Marjan Eid, said that Bahrain would line up their best players for the match. The visitors have no injury worries. Bahrain will try different systems to find which is suitable with them for the AFC Asian Cup.

Bahrain will be a real test for Vietnam before the AFC Asian Cup. (Photo: Vietnamnet).

Before coming to Vietnam, Bahrain played a friendly in Kuala Lumpur against the UAE, in which they opened the scoring but trailed before levelling the score of 2-2.

According to their list, Bahrain brought their best players for the trip to Vietnam, including Talal Yusuf, Ali Husain, Rashed Saif, and especially top scorer of the 2004 Asian Cup Ala’a Ahmed Hubail, who is regarded as the ‘Asian Shevchenko’ and was one of the eight outstanding players at the 2004 Asian Cup.

Mr Eid said that the friendlies in Southeast Asia, just before the AFC Asian Cup, will be an opportunity for Bahrain to select their best players for the tournament.

Vietnam had played Bahrain previously. They beat Bahrain’s Under-21 at the 2006 Agribank Cup and won 2-0 through goals by Minh Phuong and Anh Duc. They then lost 2-1 to Olympic Bahrain at the 14th Asian Games.

However, the friendly between Vietnam and the national team of Bahrain will be a different story.

Vietnam available from: Bui Quang Huy, Duong Hong Son, Tran Duc Cuong, Huynh Quang Thanh, Vu Nhu Thanh, Nguyen Huy Hoang, Pham Hung Dung, Dong Huy Thai, Doan Viet Cuong, Phung Van Nhien, Chau Phong Hoa, Phan Van Tai Em, Nguyen Minh Phuong, Tran Duc Duong, Nguyen Minh Chuyen, Le Tan Tai, Nguyen Vu Phong, Mai Tien Thanh, Phung Cong Minh, Le Cong Vinh, Phan Thanh Binh, Nguyễn Anh Duc and Huynh Phuc Hiep; and

Bahrain available from: Mohamed Ahmed Salmeen, Salman Isa Ali, Abdulla A.Rahman A.Karim, Faouzi Mubarak Aaish, Ahmed Hassan Taleb, Husain Ali Ahmed, Ala’a Ahmed Hubail, Talal Yusuf Mohamed, Sayed Mahmood Jalal, Isamaeal A.Latif Isamael, Jaycee John Akwani, Ali Hasan Ali Husain, Rashed A.Rahman Saif, Husain Ali Hasan Baba, Abbas Ahmed Ali, Abdulla Isamaeel Omar, Husain Salman Maki, Mohamed Ahmed Hubail, Sayed Mohammed Adnan, Mohamed Husain Mohd’, Mohmood Abdulrahman, Abdulla Baba Fatadi.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Hosts beat Jamaica 3-0 in friendly

2007-10-15T09:10:00.000+07:00

Hosts Vietnam beat Jamaica 3-0 in a friendly in Hanoi, just prior the kick-off of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, on June 24.

Skipper Le Cong Vinh opened the scoring for the Vietnamese team, firing home a 20 metre freekick after eight minutes.

Tran Duc Duong, who was given a chance to play as central midfielder due to the absence of Nguyen Minh Phuong and Phan Van Tai Em, extended the lead 20 minutes into the second half

Substitutes Huynh Phuc Hiep and Nguyen Anh Duc combined well to set up Anh Duc who scored the third goal five minutes from time.

Coach Alfred Riedl lined up Tran Duc Duong and Nguyen Minh Chuyen as central midfielders for sidelined Tai Em and Minh Phuong, and Mai Tien Thanh for injured Nguyen Van Bien at leftback.

It was Jamaica who had the first opportunity. Five minutes from kick off, Demar Phillips made a good through ball from the left flank for Wory Wolfe, who cut the Vietnamese defence apart and slotted the ball to the far corner, but goalie Bui Quang Huy made a good save.

The Vietnamese team were dangerous on the counter attacks. On eight minutes, Cong Vinh was fouled by Donal Stewart, who stopped Cong Vinh from moving forwards in a counter attack. Cong Vinh took the freekick, 20 metres away from Jamaica’s goal, curling the ball past the defending wall and goalie Alien Whittaker.

After the break, Duc Duong helped Vietnam double their lead. After Nguyen Vu Phong’s corner kick, the ball was cleared by a Jamaican defender, which fell onto the path of Duc Duong, whose powerful volley went through legs of the Jamaican defenders and goalie Whittaker into the net.

The Jamaican side, featuring inexperienced players who play in their domestic league, had their best chance on 70 minutes, when Wolfe rounded Vu Nhu Thanh and finished from a narrow angle, which was turned onto the upright by Bui Quang Huy.

Nguyen Anh Duc, who came on for Phan Thanh Binh, and Huynh Phuc Hiep, who replaced Cong Vinh, combined with Tan Tai in a counter attack, setting up Anh Duc to score the third goal in the closing minute.

Two minutes earlier, Phuc Hiep came close to scoring on his debut, when his header after Vu Phong’s good cross was blocked by Whittaker. In the stoppage time, Phuc Hiep was lucky as his finish flew directly to Whittaker.

After the match, coaches Alfred Riedl of Vietnam and Velidor Milutinovic of Jamaica spoke highly of Vietnamese players’ performance.

Mr Riedl said that the Vietnamese team deserved to win. Even though its was just a friendly, the result was good preparation for his men for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.

Mr Milutinovic said he saw a strong and fast Vietnam, who had made progress since 1998, when Mr Milutinovic coached China, when beat Vietnam in the qualifying round of the 2002 World Cup.

He said that his team featured youthful under 23 side. They were without services of seven key players who play abroad or had joined the Jamaica national team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Photo by VNE

Olympic Vietnam face tough group

2007-10-15T09:07:00.001+07:00

Vietnam will strive to gain a win.

The draw for the AFC Final Round Qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has been made with Vietnam selected to play in Group C, competing against tough teams including Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar

On June 13 at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 12 teams were split into three groups of four each for the final round which will run from August 22 to November 21, with only the group toppers representing Asia at the Beijing Olympic Games next year. Hosts China qualify automatically.

Vietnam is in the same group as Japan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. This is rather similar to the draw results of the final round of the Asian Cup 2007. The only difference will be Vietnam playing the United Arab Emirates instead of Saudi Arabia.

Group A saw 2004 Olympics fourth-place finishers Iraq grouped with DPR Korea, Lebanon and Australia. This is considered to be the ‘Group of Death’ since they all are strong teams. Meanwhile, in Group B, the Republic of Korea will vie with Bahrain, Syria and Uzbekistan.

Vietnam’s coach Alfred Riedl said competition in any of the three groups would be difficult, however he admitted that facing such strong teams will be a valuable chance for Vietnam to prepare for the Southeast Asian Games in December.

Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Secretary General Tran Quoc Tuan said: All the countries in the final round are very strong, therefore the VFF will not set any specific target. We hope that our players will try their best in all six matches.”

He also pointed to the success of the Olympic team by reaching the final round. “The team will face challenges, however it is a good opportunity for young players to gain experience and then contribute to the national team,” he added.

Vietnam won its way into the last round of the Olympic qualifiers with a second place finish in second round’s group C behind Lebanon.

Teams in the final round will play a round robin home and away format from August 22 to November 21. The top team from each group will represent Asia at the Olympics, along with the host China.

Completing schedule for Vietnam team:

· August 22 : Japan vs Vietnam (Japan as host)

· September 8: Vietnam vs Qatar (Vietnam as host)

· September 12: Vietnam vs Saudi Arabia (Vietnam as host)

· October 17: Saudi Arabia vs Vietnam (Saudi Arabia as host)

· November 17: Vietnam vs Japan (Vietnam as host)

· November 21: Qatar vs Vietnam (Qatar as host)

Khai Hoan

Source: Nhan Dan

Who will be next opponents for Olympic Vietnam?

2007-10-15T09:05:00.001+07:00

Vietnam will face a mission impossible in the final qualifying stage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. (Photo: VTC).

Vietnam have reached the final qualifying stage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games alongside 11 other teams in Asia. The team are now waiting for their next opponents as the draw will be held on June 13.

Vietnam enter the draw alongside other qualifiers Bahrain and Qatar (Group A), Japan and Syria (Group B), Lebanon (Group C), Saudi Arabia and Australia (Group D), Iraq and the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea (Group E), the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan (Group F).

In the final stage, 12 teams will be drawn to three groups and only winners of the group will join China, who have automatically qualified for the Game as hosts.

The draw will be held on a basis of the achievements of each team in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games’s qualifying round.

Accordingly, Iraq, the Republic of Korea and Japan will be top seed and in Pot 1.

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon will be in Pot 2, according to the organisers’ ratings. The People’s Democratic Republic of Korea, Syria and Qatar will be in Pot 3. Vietnam, Australia and Uzbekistan will be in Pot 4.

Australia have just joined the Asian Football Confederation while Vietnam and Uzbekistan failed to earn a good result four years ago. Vietnam lost 3-1 to Iraq in the first leg and drew 1-1 in home leg.

According to the pots, Vietnam will certainly not group with Australia and Uzbekistan, and Lebanon as well.

However, Vietnam may be drawn to a Group of Death with Japan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

If lucky, Vietnam can hope for an easy draw to a group, featuring Iraq, Bahrain and Syria.

After the final match day of the second qualifying round with a 2-1 victory over Indonesia, Vietnam’s coach Alfred Riedl predicted tough jobs for Vietnam when they have to compete against strongest teams in Asian.

Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Hero Vu Phong’s brace help Vietnam make history

2007-10-15T09:02:00.001+07:00

Man of the Match Vu Phong scored twice to send Vietnam through.
(Photo: VTC)

Nhan Dan Online- Midfielder Nguyen Vu Phong became a hero, scoring a brace to help Vietnam win 2-1 over Indonesia in their final group match of the second qualifying round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, thus reaching the final qualifying round for the first time in Vietnamese football.

Vu Phong, who returned to the Olympic team, after missing the team’s 1-0 defeat in Beirut, Lebanon, in May, opened the scoring after seven minutes. He sealed a 2-1 victory with a stunning strike in stoppage time.

Between Vu Phong’s goals, Achmad Jufriyanto scored a leveller for the Indonesian.

The victory sent the Vietnamese through to the final qualifying round regardless of the result of the match between Oman and Lebanon, which had been scheduled to take place at the same time with the match between Vietnam and Indonesia in Hanoi. However, the match between Oman and Lebanon was reportedly cancelled due to typhoon Gono.

Speaking at a press conference, Vietnam coach Alfred Rield, spoke highly of Vu Phong, saying: “He was one of the players who gave good performance in the match.”

The Vietnamese team benefited from Vu Phong’s good shape when skipper Le Cong Vinh and his partner Phan Thanh Binh looked a shadow of Vietnamese football’s most dangerous strikers. Cong Vinh made only an impact, indirectly creating a chance for Vu Phong to score the opener, as his freekick was difficult for Indonesia’s goalkeeper Ronitri Prasnanto to save and he fumbled the ball onto Vu Phong’s path and the midfielder found the top of the net from close range.

“Some of our key players could not give a good performance and it affected the whole team. However, the victory was a good result and we were the better side and deserved to win,” said Mr Riedl.

The Vietnamese team dominated the match in the first 20 minutes, when shower were seen at the My Dinh national stadium. Vu Phong could have scored a hat-trick if he had not wasted a good opportunity on 12 minutes, sidenetting, after a good cross by Nguyen Anh Duc from the right flank.

Vu Phong was denied by Prasnanto, who turned Vu Phong’s powerful strike around the post six minutes from time. The Vietnamese player made a cut in and powered a finish, which was saved.

Chau Phong Hoa, who was given a chance to play at leftback after Nguyen Van Bien was sidelined due to an injury, tried his luck with a powerful shot from outside the box, which was tipped over the bar by Prasnanto.

Substitute Huynh Phuc Hiep came close to extending the gap, heading against the crossbar after a good cross from Phong Hoa.

The Indonesian, who failed to show a cutting edge, earned a surprise equaliser, with two minutes left. After Duc Cuong made a good save, turning Ahmad Bustomi’s freekick up right, Jufriyanto’s quick volley gave the Vietnamese goalie no chances.

Vietnam have made history, having reached the final qualifying round of the Olympic Games. (Photo: VTC).

After Anh Duc wasted a good chance, blasting over, and the Indonesians won a freekick outside the box, the Vietnamese team’s head coach and his assistants were seen worrying.

“We worried all the time during the match as we failed to produce a good performance. The Indonesians did not play an open football. They played with a massive defence with four defenders and five midfielders. Therefore, it was difficult for us to attack.”

However, Vu Phong became the hero, powering a shot, which deflected off the post, giving goalie Prasnanto no chance.

Talking about his team’s defeat, Indonesia’s coach Bambang said: “Vietnam are strong for us. Vietnam is getting better and better in the region and deserved to win.”

Vietnam: Tran Duc Cuong, Dong Huy Thai, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Le Cong Vinh, Doan Viet Cuong, Mai Xuan Hop, Nguyen Vu Phong, Phan Thanh Binh, Nguyen Anh Duc, Nguyen Minh Chuyen and Chau Phong Hoa; and

Indonesia: Ronitri Prasnanto, Hendra Ridwan, Taufiq Kasrun, Tony Sucipto, Mahammad Ardiansyah, Jajang Mulyana, Achmad Jufryanto, Dedi Indra Sampurna, Herman Rhomansyah, Imanuel Wanggal, Richie Pravita Hari.

Reported by Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Vietnam - Indonesia preview: a victory for hosts

2007-10-15T08:59:00.001+07:00

Huy Thai (left) is expected to be given a chance in starting XI. (Photo: Vnexpress).

Hosts Vietnam will have an important game with their bitter regional rivals Indonesia in the final group match of the second qualifying round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Hanoi on June 6 with a task of earning at least a point to go through. It seems not so difficult a task for coach Alfred Riedl's men with Indonesia being without the services of three key players.

Prior to the match, Vietnam stand second in Group C with nine points after five match and they need only one point in their final match to go through to the Olympic Games' third qualifying round, regardless of the result in the match between Oman and Lebanon, which will take place at the same time with the match between Vietnam and Indonesia.

In preparation for the clash, the Vietnamese squad of 20 players were called up for training in Hanoi from June 1.

The team will welcome back goalie Tran Duc Cuong and midfielder Nguyen Minh Chuyen, who missed the trip to Lebanon in May because of suspension, along with skipper Le Cong Vinh and midfielder Nguyen Vu Phong, who could not travel to Beirut because of injuries.

However, the team will be without suspended left midfielder Mai Tien Thanh, and injured midfielder Vo Duy Nam and leftback Nguyen Van Bien.

Answering questions by local press about the absence of the three key players for the match with Indonesia, assistant coach Mai Duc Chung said: "We have found proper replacements for Tien Thanh, Duy Nam and Van Bien."

The absence of Van Bien and Tien Thanh may pave the way for Chau Phong Hoa, who played well on the left flank, and Nguyen Ngoc Dieu, who may make his debut. Nguyen Vu Phong is another option for the left wing.

Coach Riedl has two options for the absence of Duy Nam, when calling up Dong Huy Thai and Phung Cong Minh. Huy Thai had played in the previous games of the Olympic team but from the bench. Now, he has a chance to be in starting XI.

The return of skipper Cong Vinh and goalie Duc Cuong will add strength to the team. Cong Vinh scored the winner, which earned Vietnam a victory in Indonesia on March 14.

Cong Vinh was highly spoken of by Indonesia assistant coach Widodo Cahyono Putra, saying that: "Cong Vinh and their whole midfield are dangerous part of the Vietnamese side."

Indonesia, by contrast, fail to bring their strongest squad to Vietnam for the clash. Their in-form striker Boaz Salossa missed the Vietnamese trip after breaking leg in when the Indonesian national team played a friendly with Hong Kong on June 1. Salossa, who scored a goal and created another for the Indonesian Olympic team when they beat Oman 2-1 in May, then had surgery on June 2 and will be sidelined for three or four months.

Also, goalkeeper Galih and midfielder Atep did not join the Indonesian team in their trip to Vietnam as they are now training with the national team, in preparation for next month's AFC Asian Cup, in which Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia are co-hosts.

Indonesia, without three key players, are expected to face tough job in Hanoi . (Photo: Vnexpress).

The Indonesian team's coaching staff said they wanted to win in Hanoi, but it was difficult as Vietnam have home advantage with great support from fans who are expected to fill the My Dinh national stadium to capacity on June 6.

Vietnam are strong at home as they have so far beaten both Lebanon and Oman 2-0.

Even though the Vietnamese team have a good chance to reach the final qualifying round of the Olympic Games for the first time in its football history, Mr Chung shrugged off any pressure on his players, saying: "There will be no pressure on my young players, who want to play to win at home."

Playing at home with Indonesia, who had been eliminated, a good result will not bee a difficult task for Vietnam to go through.

Vietnam Olympic available from: Tran Duc Cuong, To Vinh Loi, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Doan Viet Cuong, Nguyen Van Bien, Vo Nhat Tan, Mai Xuan Hop Dong Huy Thai, Chau Phong Hoa, Nguyen Ngoc Dieu, Nguyen Quy Suu, Phung Cong Minh, Nguyen Minh Chuyen Nguyen Vu Phong, Le Cong Vinh, Nguyen Anh Duc, Huynh Phuc Hiep, Nguyen Tan Tuan and Phan Thanh Binh; and

Indonesia Olympic available from: Ronitri Prasnanto, Frenky Irawan, Dede Sulaiman, Pitono Prasnanto, Bobby Satria, Taufio Kasrun, Achmad Jufriyanto, Wahyu Wijiastanto, Richie Pravita Hari, Hendra Ridwan, Tony Sucipto, Ahmad Bustomi, Dedi Indra Sampurna, Kacung Khoirul Munif, Muhamad Bahtiar, Rano Trisasongko, Herman Rhomansyah, Mohammad Andrik Ardiansyah and Jajang Mulyana, Imanuel Wanggai.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Vietnam ready to kick off Asian Cup hosting duties

2007-10-15T08:52:00.000+07:00

My Dinh Stadium. Photo by Flirk

Vietnam is more than ready to ensure a successful co-hosting of this year's Asian Cup, Vietnam Football Federation (VFF)’s Deputy President Vu Quang Minh told a press briefing on May 29.

The Vietnam News Agency reported that the VFF official said an organising board would be established for Asia's premier football tournament that will run from July 7- July 29 and is to be co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Vietnam has been given six tournament games to host at Hanoi's National My Dinh Stadium, including a quarter-final match and a semi-final, with the VFF expecting Hanoi to become a hotbed of fan activity as a likely 10,000 Japanese fans will converge on the capital to support their team and over 1,000 international reporters will arrive to cover the matches.

Unfortunately for the national men's squad, Lady Luck deserted them in the draw as Vietnam drew defending champions Japan, Asian Games winners Qatar and the unpredictable United Arab Emirates in Group B.

Pundits expect the going to be tough for a youthful Vietnamese team and a head coach returning from a kidney transplant to be one of the two squads from the group to make it through to the knock out stages.

To date, Vietnam’s best result at the Asian Cup came when they shocked then World Cup semi-finalist the Republic of Korea 1-0 in the qualifying rounds in Oman in 2003.

Bangkok is slated to hold the Cup’s opening ceremony and first game on July 7. The two semi-finals will take place in Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur, with the final kicking off in Jakarta on July 29.

Vietnam raises its position in FIFA ranking

2007-10-15T08:49:00.000+07:00

Vietnam's national football team rose only one place to 139th position in the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) ranking this month, the federation announced on May 16.

The Vietnam News Agency reported that after this modest jump, Vietnam ranked third in the Southeast Asian region, after Thailand, 120th, and Singapore, 125th.

Indonesia was placed fourth in the region at 149th, followed by Myanmar and Malaysia (156th), Laos (165th), the Philippines (170th), Cambodia (171st), Brunei (173rd) and East Timor (199th).

Iran led the Asian region at 41st position while Japan made the second place at 44th.

Italia secured the top position in the world while Brazil outstripped Argentina to the second place.

Olympic Vietnam lose but still have chance to go through

2007-10-15T08:46:00.000+07:00

Akram Mograbi scored the winner for Lebanon. (Photo: lebanese-football.com).

The Vietnamese Olympic team went down 1-0 to their hosts Lebanon in their fifth match of the 2008 Olympic Beijing Games qualifying round on May 16.
The Vietnamese team, hit by injuries and suspension, went down four minutes from kick-off. Lebanon have become the first team in Group C to reach the next qualifying round.

Vietnam, however, still have a good chance to go through as Oman lost their ground in their race with Lebanon and Vietnam, losing 2-1 to Indonesia in an earlier match.

With the defeat of Oman, Vietnam need a point from their June 6 home match against Indonesia to book a berth in the third qualifying round.

Coach Alfred Riedl lined up Anh Duc and Huy Thai to fill the gap left by suspended Minh Chuyen and injured Vu Phong. Huynh Phuc Hiep started the game as a frontman and Phan Thanh Binh replaced Cong Vinh, playing behind Phuc Hiep. Vo Duy Nam, who was reported to have been ruled out for the match in Beirut recovered from his ankle injury to play in the starting XI.

The Vietnamese team went down after four minutes following a counterattack by their Lebanese opponents, who were supported by around 10,000 home fans at the Beirut Municipal stadium.

Akram Mograbi scored the winner for the hosts, which sent them through to the next qualifying round.

Coach Riedl's men exerted themselves to earn a draw after going 1-0 down early, but failed.

However, it was a good news for them as Indonesia beat Oman 2-1, which means that a draw in Hanoi will send the Vietnamese team through.

The Indonesian Olympic team have earned their first points through goals by Habel Satya and Ahmad Bustomi. Between the two Indonesians' goals, Abdullah Thoenes pulled a goal back for Oman.

Olympic Vietnam: To Vinh Loi, Doan Viet Cuong, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Mai Xuan Hop Nguyen Van Bien, Dong Huy Thai, Vo Duy Nam, Nguyen Anh Duc, Mai Tien Thanh, Phan Thanh Binh and Huynh Phuc Hiep.

Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Olympic Lebanon - Olympic Vietnam preview: Mission impossible for visitors

2007-10-15T08:44:00.001+07:00

It was a good news for the Olympic team as Vo Duy Nam (red) has recovered from his injury and may be in the starting line up. (Photo: Vietnamnet).

The Vietnamese Olympic team face a tough task, playing against their hosts Lebanon in their fifth match of the second qualifying round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Prior to the game, Vietnam are head of Group C with nine points after four games. Lebanon are second, also on nine points. If Vietnam win the match, they will go clear at the table. A defeat will see them drop to third place as Lebanon will run away with a total 12 points and Oman who lost 2-0 to Vietnam on the matchday four will take the second place with even a minimal win over Indonesia.

Therefore, the task of the Vietnamese team is to earn at least a point to strengthen their position before their final home match against Indonesia in June.

However, this may prove to be almost impossible for them, as they are missing five key players, goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong and midfielder Nguyen Minh Chuyen due to suspension, along with midfielders Vo Duy Nam and Nguyen Vu Phong, and striker Le Cong Vinh due to injuries.

Duc Cuong, who conceded three goals in the Vietnamese Olympic team’s four games, was a key player to the team’s success of three victories. To Vinh Loi, who was Duc Cuong’s deputy, will have a chance to play his first game for the Olympic team since the 15th Asian Games in Qatar last December.

However, Vinh Loi can struggle under heavy pressure. He is weak in the air, offers fumbling crosses. Vinh Loi will still be first choice as both Nguyen Thanh Binh and Nguyen Thanh Tung, who have recently been called for the Olympic team to replace Duc Cuong, are not as experienced as Vinh Loi.

In the midfield, the absence of three out of four regular players, Minh Chuyen, Duy Nam and Vu Phong may prove to be a decisive blow to the Vietnamese Olympic team’s ambition of winning a point in Beirut.

Minh Chuyen and Duy Nam played in the team’s four games and made a significant contribution. Their absence will pave the way for Dong Huy Thai, who is in a good form with Halida Thanh Hoa in the V-League, and Nguyen Quy Suu. Huy Thai and Quy Suu are of the same quality with Minh Chuyen and Duy Nam. However, the two midfielders have yet to play together in the Olympic team. Therefore, they will need time to bond. However, this is bad to experiment and may impact on the team’s choices in Beirut.

However, Duy Nam was reported to resume a training in Beirut and may start from the bench.

The absence of Cong Vinh will add to the team’s difficulties. Cong Vinh seems indispensable in the Olympic team. When he missed a trip to Oman, the Olympic team failed to create a threat and they lost 3-1.

With the absence of Cong Vinh, the team may abandon their favourite 4-2-3-1 formation, which helped them beat Lebanon and Oman at home, to return to coach Alfred Riedl’s preferred formation of 4-4-2.

Nguyen Anh Duc and Phan Thanh Binh will be two frontmen of the team and Huynh Phuc Hiep will be a substitute.

According to the latest news about the team’s first training session on June 15, coach Riedl will certainly use a 4-4-2 formation with wingers.

He instructed his defenders and midfielders to prevent long distance shots and long balls from their hosts, who want to avenge their 2-0 defeat in Nam Dinh in their first game.

Another difficulty for the Vietnamese side is the poor quality pitch at the Beirut Municipal stadium. Playing on such a rough pitch, it is easy for players to get injured. It may also negatively affect on the Vietnamese game.

Harsh climatic conditions in Beirut and the long journey to Lebanon may also prove to be a disadvantage for the Vietnamese side. Oman’s team manager blamed weather and poor pitch for his team 1-0 defeat in Beirut.

Lebanon coach Emile Rustom has reportedly sent a message to the Olympic team that the hosts will win 3-0.

In the context, it seems almost impossible for the Vietnamese Olympic team to leave Beirut with a full three points and a minimal defeat would not be a catastrophe as they still have a home game against Group C’s weakest opponents Indonesia to go through.

Olympic Lebanon available from: H. Moughnieh, H.Bittar, T.El Ali , A. El Saadi, A.El Khodor, M.El Jouonaidi, A.Hamie, J.El Helwi, H.Salameh, M.Hammoud, H.Darwich, I.Manna, A.Yakoub, H.Maatouk, A.Moghrabi, Z.Charara, H.Amin and A.Al Haf; and

Olympic Vietnam available from: To Vinh Loi, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Nguyen Thanh Tung, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Doan Viet Cuong, Nguyen Van Bien, Vo Nhat Tan, Mai Xuan Hop, Dong Huy ThaiChau Phong Hoa, Mai Tien Thanh, Nguyen Quang Tinh, Vo Duy Nam, Nguyen Ngoc Dieu, Nguyen Quy Suu, Nguyen Anh Duc, Huynh Phuc Hiep and Phan Thanh Binh.

Source: Ngoc Tuan - Nhan Dan

Injuries rule out Vu Phong, Cong Vinh and Duy Nam for Lebanon trip

2007-10-15T08:42:00.001+07:00

Duy Nam left the pitch with assistance from medical staff of Khatoco Khanh Hoa during the match against ACB.HN. (Photo: VTC).

Injuries have ruled out skipper Le Cong Vinh and midfielders Nguyen Vu Phong and Vo Duy Nam from the Vietnamese Olympic team’s trip to Lebanon for their clash with the home side on May 16.

The Vietnamese team, with 16 players, left for Bangkok on May 13. The team were divided into two groups based in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and they met in Bangkok on May 13 before flying to Abu Dhabi (UAE), then to Beirut, Lebanon.

Goalie To Vinh Loi and Nguyen Thanh Binh leave for Bangkok a day later.

The injuries of skipper Le Cong Vinh and Vo Duy Nam may prove to be a decisive blow for the Olympic team’s ambition to win at least a point from Lebanon to go through to the next qualifying round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Duy Nam limped off during the match between his club Khatoco Khanh Hoa and ACB.HN on May 12. The Olympic team, therefore, will be missing two central midfielders, who have made a great contribution to the Olympic team’s good run, so far. Duy Nam’s partner Nguyen Minh Chuyen missed the trip to Beirut due to suspension. Despite his injuries, Duy Nam was asked to travel to Beirut with the team. If he is sidelined, Nguyen Quang Tinh, may be an option to fill his boots.

Skipper Cong Vinh, meanwhile, was ruled out due to a neck problem and Vu Phong suffered an ankle injury. Both players did not join the team to go to Beirut.

The Vietnamese Olympic team will also be missing suspended goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong, who has recently produced impressive performance.

List of 18 players for the Lebanon clash:

Goalkeepers: To Vinh Loi, Nguyen Thanh Binh and Nguyen Thanh Tung;

Defenders: Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Doan Viet Cuong, Nguyen Van Bien, Vo Nhat Tan, Mai Xuan Hop and Dong Huy Thai;

Midfielders: Chau Phong Hoa, Mai Tien Thanh, Nguyen Quang Tinh, Vo Duy Nam, Nguyen Ngoc Dieu, and Nguyen Quy Suu; and

Forwards: Nguyen Anh Duc, Huynh Phuc Hiep and Phan Thanh Binh.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Olympic team make good start after 2-0 victory over Lebanon

2007-10-15T08:39:00.001+07:00

Striker Cong Vinh (red). Photo: Vnexpress.

Two goals by Le Cong Vinh and substitute Huynh Phuc Hiep helped the Vietnamese Olympic team make a good start at the qualifying group stage of the Beijing Olympic Games as they beat Lebanon 2-0 at home in Nam Dinh on February 28.

Cong Vinh converted a spot kick in the first half and Phuc Hiep sealed a 2-0 victory for the hosts one minute from time.

Despite a victory, coach Mai Duc Chung, who replaced coach Alfred Riedl, who returned to Austria to have his kidney transplanted, said: “The Lebanese team were stronger. They lost because they were overconfident.”

“The Vietnamese players did well in counter attack as coaching board had asked them to do before the match,” Mr Chung said about his men.

Meanwhile, captain Cong Vinh, who was the best Vietnamese player in the match, said: “Young players like me wanted to prove ability, even though we have to improve our performances.”

The Vietnamese team started the match with a 4-5-1 formation. Striker Anh Duc was the only frontman. Captain Le Cong Vinh played in the midfield with Nguyen Minh Chuyen, Vo Duy Nam, Mai Tien Thanh and Doan Viet Cuong. Nguyen Van Bien, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Mai Xuan Hop and Chau Phong Hoa were back four. Tran Duc Cuong was preferred to To Vinh Loi as goalkeeper.

The Lebanon Olympic team started the game in an aggressive fashion, pushing the Vietnamese all the way. The visitors were dangerous when playing a direct passing game and long distance shots.

In two minutes, H. Salameh had two consecutive opportunities to open the scoring. The Lebanon player’s powerful shot forced a flying save from Duc Cuong and in a resulting corner, Salameh, unmarked, blasted over the bar from just eight metres.

Captain Cong Vinh gave the home side a 1-0 lead after 33 minutes, as he made no mistakes in converting a spot kick, awarded after Al Haf’s handball. The top Vietnamese striker coolly found the right net, sending goalkeeper H. Moughnieh to a wrong way.

Boosted by Cong Vinh’s opener, the Vietnamese side gave the demoralised Lebanese defence a tough time before half time.

After the break, the Lebanese team made a change with H. Darwich coming for M.Hammoud and they had an opportunity when goalie Duc Cuong made a mistake, failing to block a cross from the left flank, but Z. Charara finished over the bar.

Leftback Van Bien came close in the 65th minute. Playing one-tow with Duy Nam, Van Bien fooled Lebanese centreback El Khodor but sidenetted.

Striker Anh Duc wasted two good opportunities in counter attacks before went out on the stretcher. Young star Huynh Phuc Hiep was brought on for Anh Duc. Earlier, Dong Huy Thai had come in for Minh Chuyen.

Seven minutes from time, goalkeeper Duc Cuong made a good save to deny substitute El Helwi, who rose in the air to head in a corner kick.

In the final minutes, Lebanon put heavy pressure on the Vietnamese defence. However, the hosts not only held off Lebanon’s attacks and but also extended the lead. Captain Cong Vinh pinpointed a long ball for Phuc Hiep, who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Moughnieh to the far corner.

The victory will be a great boost for the Vietnamese Olympic team as they have two away games on March 14 to meet Indonesia and March 28 to face Oman before returning home to host Oman on April 18.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

AFF championship: Losing 2-0 to Thailand, Vietnam almost out of final

2007-10-15T08:34:00.000+07:00

Goalkeeper Kitisak made many good saves to deny Vietnamese strikers.

The Vietnamese team have almost been out of the final of the Southeast Asian football championship/AFF championship after conceding a 2-0 defeat to bitter rivals Thailand at the My Dinh stadium in the home leg semi-final on January 24.

Datsakorn Thonglao fired home a low strike as he took an 18 metre freekick and Pipat Thongkanya sealed a victory for the visitors with nine minutes left.

Striker Phan Thanh Binh missed a penalty one minute from half-time. In-form goalkeeper Kitisak Rawangpa made many good saves to keep the Vietnamese players at bay.

The Vietnamese team welcomed back centreback Huy Hoang and skipper Minh Phuong, who had recovered injuries and illness.

The Vietnamese team started aggressively before more than 40,000 supporters in the My Dinh stadium.

They launched attacks after kick-off. Right in the first minute, fullback Huynh Quang Thanh rose to meet Thach Bao Khanh’s cross but his header was saved by goalkeeper Kitisak.

The Thai side replied immediately with Suchao Nutnum testing Quang Huy with a distance shot, which was parried away by the Vietnamese goalie.

In the sixth minute, Thanh Binh ran down on the right flank but sidenetted.

Striker Le Cong Vinh, who has been struggling with injuries, squandered a good chance in the 25th minute. After receiving a good ball from Thanh Binh's header, Cong Vinh, unmarked lobbed the ball slightly, which was comfortably saved by Kitisak.

In the 28th minute, the Thais went ahead with Datsakorn Thonglao firing home a low strike as he took an 18 metre freekick, which gave goalkeeper Quang Huy no chances.

Going 1-0 down, the Vietnamese hosts increased their pressure but failed to crack the Thais’ defence.

Five minutes from half-time, skipper Minh Phuong flicked the ball over wall but was saved by goalkeeper Kitisak.

In the 44th minute, striker Thanh Binh missed a penalty kick as he shot wide. One minute earlier, fullback Van Bien was brought down in the box.

Three minutes into the second half, striker Cong Vinh came close as his near post header, finishing off Quang Thanh’s good cross from the right, was denied by Kitisak.

The Vietnamese side continued to dominate the game but failed to crack the Thai defence. Coach Alfred Riedl made the first change with Tran Duc Duong coming for Le Tan Tai.

Nine minutes from time, substitute Pipat Thongnakya took advantage of misunderstanding between Huy Hoang and Duc Duong and fired home the second goal.

In the remaining time, the Vietnamese side made great efforts but failed to score.

Losing the match, the Vietnamese side face an uphill task of beating Thailand at least 3-0 in Bangkok four day later to go through.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

AFF championship: Huy Hoang and Minh Phuong resume training

2007-10-15T08:32:00.001+07:00

The Vietnamese team are sharpening their attacks in the hope to beat Thailand

The Vietnamese team welcomed the return of centre back Nguyen Huy Hoang and skipper Nguyen Minh Phuong as they have recovered from injuries and illness as the team prepared for the forthcoming clash with Thailand on January 24, reported the Sports Daily.

The newspaper said Minh Phuong and Huy Hoang returned to the squad as they had a training session at the My Dinh stadium in the evening of January 22.

During the training session, coach Alfred Riedl instructed his men to play attacking football with forwards Dang Van Thanh and Dang Phuong Nam and midfielders Nguyen Vu Phong, Nguyen Huu Thang and Tran Duc Duong. In the other end, centreback Vu Nhu Thanh, Nguyen Huy Hoang, Nguyen Van Bien and Huynh Quang Thanh played against six attacking players Le Hong Minh, Nguyen Minh Phuong, Le Tan Tai, Phan Thanh Binh, Le Cong Vinh and Thach Bao Khanh.

The team had one more training session on January 23 before the match with bitter rivals Thailand.

On the same day, the team welcomed Huynh Vinh Ai, deputy head of the Vietnam Committee for Physical Education and Sports, who visited and encouraged the team before their important game of the Southeast Asian football championship/AFF championship.

Source: Nhan Dan

AFF championship : Vietnam held for second time

2007-10-15T08:30:00.001+07:00

A late equaliser by Saktiawan Sinaga held Vietnam from gaining the first victory at the Southeast Asian championship/AFF championship. Earlier, Vietnam took a 1-0 lead with Supardi finding his own net. Cong Vinh had a good chance to help Vietnam kill the game off but he shot against the post in the final minute.
Vietnam’s starting XI were unchanged after a 0-0 draw with co-hosts, defending champions Singapore.

Meanwhile, coach Peter Withe made two changes with Saktiawan Sinaga, who scored the second goal for Indonesia in their first game with Laos, coming for veteran striker Bambang Pamungkas, and Syamsul Bachri replacing Atep, who scored a double against Laos.

The two sides showed their determination after kick-off, playing a tit-for-tat game. Ponaryo Astaman and Saktiawan shot wide in their first attempts while on the other end Cong Vinh drove his header right at goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko.

Syamsul Bachri tried his luck with a distance shot, which was punched away by goalkeeper Quang Huy, in the 15th minute. The Vietnamese keeper then seemed to lack of confidence as he decided to punch the ball after Mahyadi Panggabean’s inswinging freekick, instead of catching it.

In the other end, Syamsul blocked Thanh Binh’s header off the line, after Bao Khanh’s inswing corner kick.

The Vietnamese surprisingly broke the deadlock after 34 minutes. Quang Thanh’s cross deflected helpless Supardi, who on his way back to mark Phan Thanh Binh, and found the net, even though two Vietnamese forwards failed to reach Quang Thanh’s cross. About three thousands Vietnamese fans at the Singapore National Stadium celebrated the goal.

The Indonesian came close twice after going 1-0 down as Mahyadi’s near post freekick was saved by goalkeeper Quang Huy. Skipper Minh Phuong made a mistake when he back-pass gifted the Indonesians a good opportunity to attack, which resulted in a freekick after Bao Khanh’s foul on Ponaryo Astaman.

After the break, the Indonesians increased their pressure in a search of an equaliser. Set piece taker Mahyadi always troubled goalkeeper Quang Huy and Vietnamese defenders.

Hong Minh, who met Bao Khanh’s freekick, came close as he was denied by goalie Hendro with a far post finish.

Ilham, who had a disappointing game with Laos, rolled the ball to the net but he was flagged offside.

Coach Withe of Indonesia brought on Atep to strengthen their attack while coach Alfred Riedl introduced Phung Van Nhien, replacing Tan Tai.

Indonesia were determined to win a point in the game and Bambang was brought on. The veteran striker produced a good cross which Ilham was quicker than goalkeeper Quang Huy to slot in the ball, which hit the post.

The Vietnamese side had a good chance to kill off the game as Minh Phuong had only goalie Hendro to beat but the skipper opted to pass the ball for Cong Vinh, who could not control the ball for his finish.

Cong Vinh then had his own opportunity as he held off an Indonesian defender before rapidly firing against the foot of the post.

Indonesia had finally what they searched during the whole match with Saktiawan heading home the equaliser, which gave Quang Huy no chances, after Atep’s freekick.

Vietnam have now two points after two matches. Earlier, they were held to a 0-0 draw by co-host Singapore. They need a big victory over Laos with at least three goals to book a place in the semi-finals.

Vietnam: Bui Quang Huy, Huynh Quang Thanh, Nguyen Huy Hoang, Vu Nhu Thanh, Nguyen Van Bien, Le Tan Tai, Nguyen Minh Phuong, Le Hong Minh, Thach Bao Khanh, Phan Thanh Binh and Le Cong Vinh.

Indonesia: Hendro Kartiko, Firmansyah Agus, Ricardo Salampessy, Supardi, Ponaryo Astaman, Syamsul Bachri, Angus Indra Kurniawan, Eka Ramdani, Ilham Jaya Kusuma and Saktiawan Sinaga.

Nam Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Singapore-Vietnam preview

2007-10-15T08:25:00.000+07:00

Vietnamese players are confident ahead the clash with Singapore (Photo: Liberated Saigon).

The Vietnamese national team will get their Southeast Asian championship/AFF championship off with a clash against co-host Singapore. As hosts, Singapore have certain advantages but Vietnamese team are confident after two victories over the Lions in the past two years.

Three years ago, Vietnam exited the group stage of the 2004 Southeast Asian championship, formerly known as the Tiger Cup, despite being considered one of possible favourites. Hosts Vietnam drew 1-1 with Singapore in the opening game and lost 3-0 to Indonesia and had to watch Singapore and Indonesia play in the semi-finals and the final of the tournament.

Therefore, the Vietnamese side will start their 2007 championship with great determination to leave behind the bad memory of Vietnamese football in 2004. Earlier, Alfred Riedl, who is now in his third time as national coach of Vietnam, said he wanted his men win the group with three victories.

However, he was cautious when saying about the opening game with the hosts. He said one day prior the game: “'It should be an equal game tomorrow. 'Singapore is a strong team, as we know they are winners of the last tournament, they have physical strength and they have tall players, which we do not have. So it will be tough for us.”

Mr Riedl is facing some difficulties as his team have been hit by injuries. Midfielder Phan Van Tai Em has to watch AFF championship games on television and a new man in the forward line, Nguyen Anh Duc, who produced a good form during invitational tournaments, will miss the group stage as he is yet to recover a thigh injury.

Top Vietnamese striker Le Cong Vinh had to race with time to recover a knee injury to be fit in the opening with Singapore and Mr Riedl earlier said: “If Vinh is not 100% fit, he will not play.”

However, the 21-year-old striker is reported to fit for the match against the Lions. This is a good news for the Vietnamese side even though the striker may not produce his top form. Also, the return of veteran left midfielder Thach Bao Khanh, who opened the scoring the corresponding fixture of the 2004 edition and centreback Nguyen Huy Hoang, after the King’s Cup, may strengthen the Vietnamese side.

The Vietnamese side will enter the game with confidence as they beat Singapore 3-2 in an enthralling score chase game at the King’s Cup on the year-end day of 2006 at the King’s Cup. Also, at the 23rd SEA Games in the Phippines in 2005, Vietnam beat Singapore 2-1.

Singapore’s coach Radojko Avramovic, who led Singapore two second title three years ago after a 5-2 aggregate victory over Indonesia, did not want to read too much into that defeat. He said: “We were unable to play our best team there in Thailand and in the game against Vietnam, we lost but the game could have gone either way as we missed two or three chances when the score was 2-2. It was a good match that we could have won but tomorrow is a new game. We are the defending champions and we have an obligation to our supporters because we are playing at home to show that we are really champions.”

With goalkeeper Lionel Lewis, and strikers Indra Sahdan and Noh Alam Shah likely to be ready to play after recovering injuries, the Serb coach seems to have his best team for the competition.

Also, the wet monsoon weather that has hit Singapore in recent days could work in the home side's favour. “I think that we may have the advantage in this case because I think our players are more used to playing in such wet conditions in the league. I think that they can adapt better to it than Vietnam can,” Mr Avramovic said.

However, the Serb coach said he hoped to see a good football games in good climatic conditions.

Playing in unfavourable conditions may be tough for Vietnamese players, who play a direct shot passing game. However, coach assistant Mai Duc Chung said unfavourable conditions would be a problem for the hosts also. “The Vietnamese team will focus on each game but not the climatic conditions with a target of gaining at least four out of possible six points,” Mr Chung said.

Singapore – Vietnam – Head-to-head at AFF championships

* 1998 Tiger Cup (Vietnam):

Hanoi, August 28, 1998: Vietnam 0-0 Singapore

Hanoi, September 5, 1998: Vietnam 0-1 Singapore (Sasi Kumar 71’)

* 2000 Tiger Cup (Thailand):

November 11, 2000 Vietnam 1-0 Singapore (Le Huynh Duc 62’)

* 2004 Tiger Cup (Vietnam and Malaysia):

Ho Chi Minh City, December 7, 2004: Vietnam 1-1 Singapore (Thach Bao Khanh 51’; Indra Sahdan Daud 70’)

Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Vietnam’s achievements in AFF Championships – A lookback

2007-10-14T22:55:00.000+07:00

The Vietnamese national team are in a campaign of seeking the first title at the Southeast Asian championship/AFF Cup, formerly known as the Tiger Cup in Singapore. Following are highlights of the team’s achievements in the contests, which first organised in Singapore in 1996.

Tiger Cup 1996 (Singapore)

One year prior to the first Tiger Cup (Tiger Cup 1996), Vietnamese football produced a good landmark, winning a silver medal at the 1995 SEA Games in Chiangmai, Thailand. A new generation of talented players was discovered by German coach K. Weigang and they entered the first Tiger Cup with a new position.

In the group stage, Vietnam were in Group A PRIVATE and they made a good start with a 3-1 victory over Cambodia. However, they were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw with Laos in the second match. The German coach was angry and said he wanted to send home some players, who failed to produce their best form. The team went through to the semi-finals with a 4-1 victory over Myanmar and a 1-1 draw with Indonesia.

In the semi-finals, Vietnam lost 4-2 to Thailand, failing to avenge their 4-0 defeat at the 1995 SEA Games. Vo Hoang Buu and Nguyen Hong Son were scorers for Vietnam, which Kiatisuk Senamuang, Natipong Sritong-in and Worawoot Srimaka were named on the scoresheet for Thailand. Failing to reach the final, Vietnam replayed Indonesia in the third-placed play-off. Goals by Huynh Quoc Cuong and Vo Hoang Buu plus an owned goal by Yeyen Tumena helped Vietnam won 3-2.

Tiger Cup 1998 (Vietnam)

As the hosts, Vietnam started the second Tiger Cup as top favourites for the title as defending champions Thailand failed to line up their best squad for the tournament. They had no services of Kiatisuk Senamuang, Tawan Sripan and Natipong Sritong-in, who caused a lot of troubles to the Vietnamese defenders at the 1995 SEA Games and the 1996 Tiger Cup.

In fact, the Vietnamese side coached by Alfred Riedl, produced a good start with a 4-1 victory over Laos in Hanoi with goals by Nguyen Hong Son, Nguyen Van Sy and Le Huynh Duc.

However, they were held to a 0-0 draw by Singapore under heavy rains, in which wet pitch prevented Vietnamese strikers from scoring.

Nguyen Hong Son’s winner in the match against Malaysia sent the hosts through to the semi-finals.

Playing bitter rivals Thailand, the Vietnamese team, with their best players, made a historical victory of 3-0 over the Thais. Truong Viet Hoang, Nguyen Hong Son and Van Sy Hung were scorers for the Vietnamese side.

However, the Vietnamese side missed a good opportunity to lift the title as they lost 1-0 to Singapore in the final in Hanoi. Towering defender Sasi Kumar beat goalkeeper Tran Tien Anh in the air as the ball deflected his back and found the empty net.

Tiger Cup 2000 (Thailand)

After missing a good opportunity at home, the Vietnamese side, coached by Alfred Riedl, started the tournament with the match against Malaysia, in which they drew 0-0.

Being held in the first game, Mr Riedl’s men produced three wins in a row to top Group B. They won 6-0 over Cambodia with goals by Le Huynh Duc, Nguyen Hong Son and Vu Cong Tuyen, plus an owned goal by Soun Dara.

Le Huynh Duc winner helped Vietnam make a revenge to Singapore with a 1-0 victory, while Van Sy Thuy, Vu Cong Tuyen, Nguyen Van Sy, Vu Minh Hieu and Pham Hung Dung helped Vietnam beat Laos 6-0.

However, the Vietnamese side failed to make the final as they lost 3-2 in the semi-finals to Indonesia.

Gendut Christiawan opened the scoring in the 39th minute and Nguyen Hong Son levelled the score just before half-time. Uston Nawawi restored a one goal lead for Indonesia in the 76th minute and Nguyen Duc Thang restored Vietnam’s hope in the stoppage time. However, Christiawan scored a winner in the 120th minute.

Discouraged by the defeat, the Vietnamese side lost 3-0 to Malaysia in a third-placed play-off.

Tiger Cup 2002 (Singapore and Indonesia)

The Vietnamese team was coached by Henrique Calisto, who is now technical director of the Vietnamese champions Dong Tam Long An.

Mr Calisto introduced new players Tran Truong Giang, Phan Van Tai Em, Trinh Xuan Thanh, Pham Van Quyen and veteran striker Huynh Hong Son.

The players made a significant contribution to a 9-2 victory over Cambodia and a 4-1 victory over the Philippines.

The Vietnamese team then drew 2-2 with the Indonesian hosts in their third game. Budi Sudarsono opened the scoring. Phan Van Tai Em and Le Huynh Duc helped coach Calisto’s side took a 2-1 lead before Zaenal Arif helped the hosts regain a point in the 83rd minute.

In their final game against Myanmar, despite playing with ten men from the 57 minutes, with Xuan Thanh, who levelled the score, was sent off, the Vietnamese team won 4-2. Two other Vietnamese strikers include Dang Phuong Nam and Le Huynh Duc.

Despite going top of the group, Vietnam played Thailand in the semi-finals, who finished runners-up to Malaysia. The rampant Thais outplayed Vietnam, winning 4-0 to go through to the final.

Vietnam had to compete in a third-placed play-off against Malaysia, who lost 1-0 to Indonesia. Two goals by Tran Truong Giang and Nguyen Minh Phuong helped Vietnam beat Malaysia 2-1, making a revenge for a 3-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture of the 2000 Tiger Cup.

Tiger Cup 2004 (Vietnam and Malaysia)

The Vietnamese hosts welcomed back their first foreign coach, Edson Tavares, who replaced Mr Riedl after the Vietnamese team finished runners-up at the 22nd SEA Games in 2003. They played two first games in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam drew 1-1 with Singapore in their opening game. Thach Bao Khanh headed home the opener but Indra Sahdan Daud cancelled out Bao Khanh’s attempt.

On the second match day, Vietnam trounced Cambodia 9-1 with a hat-trick of young striker Le Cong Vinh.

However, a 3-0 shameful defeat to Indonesia right in Hanoi, shut the door to the semi-finals of Vietnam.

Coach Edson Tavares stepped down after the defeat and his assistant Tran Van Khanh took over the team.

A 3-0 victory over Laos with goals by Le Cong Vinh, Nguyen Minh Phuong and Thach Bao Khanh was just face-saving.

The tournament also saw top favourites Thailand went out the group stage.

NGOC TUAN

Source: Nhan Dan

Starting XI for forthcoming AFF Cup

2007-10-14T22:53:00.001+07:00

In-form striker Thanh Binh was given a task of leading the Vietnamese forward at the forthcoming AFF Cup by coach Riedl (Photo: Vnexpress).

Coach Alfred Riedl has identified starting XI for the forthcoming Southeast Asian championship/AFF Cup, due to kick off in Singapore and Thailand in around a week’s time.

The Sports Daily reported after the second training day of the team in preparation for the event, coach Riedl has had 11 players for his starting squad for the group stage in Singapore, where Vietnam has to compete with Indonesia, Laos and Singapore for one of the two tickets to the semi-finals.

Vu Nhu Thanh and Nguyen Huy Hoang will play at centreback. After Huy Hoang was sidelined during the King’s Cup, Nhu Thanh was tested to partner Nguyen Manh Dung, but they failed to make a good link up and the team had to pay the price.

Nguyen Van Bien and Huynh Quang Thanh will play at leftback and rightback, respectively. Van Bien has not opponents for his position, while Quang Thanh is preferred to vertisale Van Nhien despite his poor passing capability.

In the midfield, Le Hong Minh and Nguyen Minh Phuong will start as central midfielders. Le Tan Tai is the first choice for the right wing and Thach Bao Khanh will play on the left flank after he recovered from an injury which ruled him out of the Asian Games and King’s Cup.

In-form Phan Thanh Binh and Le Cong Vinh will lead the forward line. Nguyen Anh Duc and veteran Dang Phuong Nam will be substitutes.

In goal, Bui Quang Huy will be the first choice when Duong Hong Son is yet to recover from an injury during the King’s Cup while Nguyen The Anh is losing his top form.

Source: Nhan Dan

Vietnam lose 3-1 to hosts in King’s Cup final

2007-10-14T22:51:00.001+07:00

Three goals by Sutee Sukomskit, Pipat Tonkanya and Suchao Nutnum helped host Thaialand win 3-1 over Vietnam in the final of the King’s Cup at the Supachalasai stadium in Bangkok on December 30.

Sutee and Pipat scored in the 42 and 44th minutes, repectively. Phan Thanh Binh pulled back one goal for Vietnam, just one minute before Suchao found the net third.

Vietnam’s coach Alfred Riedl made three changes in starting XI when the Vietnamese side welcomed back goalkeeper Bui Quang Huy, who replaced Nguyen The Anh, captain Nguyen Minh Phuong, coming for Nguyen Huu Thang, and Nguyen Anh Duc, replacing Le Cong Vinh to partner Phan Thanh Binh in the attacking line.

Meanwhile, host Thailand made two changes in their starting XI in comparison with the opening match with Pipat replacing Sorayoot Chaikamdee to partner captain Kiatisuk Senamuang, and Suchao Nutnum replacing Khwanchai Phuangprakob.

Despite heavy pressure from the hosts in the first 15 minutes, the Vietnamese defence with Quang Thanh, Manh Dung, Nhu Thanh and Van Bien, stood firm. Thanh Binh was the first Vietnamese players to have an opportunity to score. After a good one-one connection with Anh Duc, Thanh Binh curled the ball to the goal, which was not powerful enough to beat goalkeeper Kitisak.

Minutes later, the Thai hosts replied with a powerful header by Nirut Surasiang, who plays for Vietnamese PISICO Binh Dinh, after Sutee’s corner, which was cleared off the line by fullback Quang Thanh.

Pipat came very close as his header was parried away by goalkeeper Quang Huy, who reflected quickly enough to deny the Thai striker.

Sutee opened the scoring three minutes from half-time. His powerful shot deflecled centreback Nhu Thanh before finding the net. This was second consecutive shot of the Thai side after goalie Quang Huy punched away a long shot by Datkarson Thonglao.

Before half-time, Pipat extended the lead for the hosts after slotting the far post cross by Sutee, who received a good through ball from captain Kiatisuk.

In the second half, veteran Phuong Nam and Phung Van Nhien went in for Anh Duc and Tan Tai.

Ten minutes into the second half, goalkeeper Quang Huy had to punch away Nirut’s long powerful shot.

Nirut then came very close when he was once more denied by goalkeeper Quang Huy. Captain Kiatisuk provided a neat through ball for Nirut after a good control of Thonglao’s long ball.

In the 72nd minute, Thanh Binh pulled back one goal for Vietnam. His shot was out of Thai goalkeeper Kitisak Rawangpra. Phuong Nam chested the ball back for Thanh Binh to score.

However, one minute later, Suchao Nutnum restored a two goal lead, finishing off Sutee’s good cross.

In the remaining minutes, the Vietnamese side made great efforts but they failed to score more.

Vietnam lost two games against the hosts. They lost 2-1 in the opening game six days ago.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Vietnam to compete with hosts for King’s Cup

2007-10-14T22:47:00.001+07:00

Tan Tai found the net with a little luck (Photo: VFF)

A late goal by striker Le Cong Vinh, who wasted many chances in the match, helped Vietnam gain second victory at the King’s Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, as they beat Singapore 3-2. The victory sent the Vietnamese team to the final with the hosts on December 30.

Tan Tai found the net with a little luck (Photo: VFF)

Cong Vinh’s partner Phan Thanh Binh and Le Tan Tai were two other scorers for the Vietnamese side. Singapore equalised twice through goals by Daniel Mark Bennet and substitute Fazrul Nawaz.

The Vietnamese national team welcomed back midfielder Nguyen Huu Thang and forwards Le Cong Vinh and Phan Thanh Binh. Goalkeeper Nguyen The Anh made his debut at the King’s Cup as coach Alfred Riedl wanted to test all of three goalkeepers. Bui Quang Huy was the goalkeeper of Vietnam in the opening match with Thailand and Duong Hong Son started in the match against Kazakhstan.

Duo midfielders Phan Van Tai Em and Nguyen Minh Phuong were rested on bench.

In the fourth minute, goalkeeper The Anh had to punch the ball away after a Singaporean player produced a lob ball.

Eight minutes after kick off, striker Thanh Binh cut the Singapore defence to head home the opener after Vu Phong’s left corner kick. Thanh Binh header gave Singaporean goalkeeper Hassan Sunny no chances.

It was the second goal of Thanh Binh at the King’s Cup. The 20 year old striker, who was struggling to find his top form during three invitational tournaments, Capital SH Bank Cup, Agribank Cup and Bach Viet Cup, opened the scoring in the match against host Thailand.

Seven minutes later, after centreback Manh Dung’s foul on a Singaporean forward outside the penalty box, British-Singaporean centreback Daniel Mark Bennet levelled as his powerful freekick went through the gap, created by two Singaporean players, in the Vietnamese defence wall to beat goalkeeper The Anh.

Shahril Ishak came very close as his shot from outside the penalty box went just centimetres wide.

Striker Cong Vinh wasted a good chance when his volley went cross the Singaporean goal after a good cross from Tan Tai with ten minutes from half-time.

Tan Tai failed to take a good chance, created by Cong Vinh, whose ball cracked the Singaporean defence, five minutes later when his lobbed ball over the Singaporean goalkeeper missed out.

After the break, the Vietnamese side increased pressure on the Singaporean defence. Their efforts paid off with Tan Tai finding the net with a little luck when his pass for Thanh Binh deflected Singaporean defender Ismail Yunos and gave Sunny no chance.

Striker Cong Vinh squandered a good opportunity when failed to find the net with only goalkeeper Sunny to beat.

Nigerian-Singaporean Itimi Dickson came very close as his finish in the far corner hit the post. The Singaporean player broke the offside gap and Van Bien made a positioning mistake, gifting Dickson an opportunity, but Van Bien corrected as he blocked a Singaporean player’s finish

Substitute Fazrul Nawaz beat goalkeeper The Anh in the air to equalise after a good cross from Shi Jiayi. Two Vietnamese centrebacks did not mark Nawaz, giving him enough space and time to head in.

Minutes later, Shi Jiayi had his own opportunity from a narrow angle but The Anh palmed it away.

Striker Cong Vinh missed two opportunities in one minute, finishing wide with only goalie Sunny to beat.

On the contrary side, goalkeeper The Anh was lucky, not conceding a goal after Nawaz’s finish went centimetres wide.

Coach Alfred Riedl made two changes with Anh Duc coming in for Thanh Binh and Minh Chuyen for Hong Minh.

Cong Vinh ended his unlucky run with a goal in the 85th minute. After a good control to beat Bennet, Cong Vinh produced a powerful strike, giving Sunny no chances. Substitute Anh Duc returned a good ball for Cong Vinh.

Vietnam reached the final with Thailand on December 30 after one defeat (2-1 to Thailand) and two victories over Kazakhstan (2-1) and Singapore.

In another match, host Thailand were held to a 2-2 draw by Kazakhstan after taking a 2-0 lead.

Nam Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Cong Vinh's late winner helps Vietnam won 2-1 over Kazakhstan

2007-10-14T22:44:00.001+07:00

v Striker Le Cong Vinh (9) came off the bench to seal a 2-1 victory for Vietnam (Photo: Vnexpress).

Striker Le Cong Vinh came off the bench to seal Vietnam a 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan on the second match day of King’s Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 26.

The victory restored Vietnam’s hope of qualifying for the final of the tournament on December 30. To that end, however, the Vietnamese team need another victory over Singapore, who lost 2-0 to hosts Thailand in another match, in their final round robin game on December 28.

The Vietnamese side started their second game with seven changes in starting XI with Manh Dung replacing sidelined Minh Duc as a centreback; Quang Thanh coming in for Phung Van Nhien as a fullback; Tai Em replacing young player Mai Tien Thanh, veteran Dang Phuong Nam and young striker Nguyen Anh Duc coming for Phan Thanh Binh, who scored the goal in the match against Thailand and Le Cong Vinh. Also, goalkeeper Duong Hong Son came in for Bui Quang Huy and Hong Minh replaced Nguyen Huu Thang.

Tan Tai continued his good form as he always troubled the Kazakhstan defence, providing neat through ball for Phuong Nam and Anh Duc, but the two strikers failed to score.

Midfielder Hong Minh, put Vietnam ahead after 23 minutes with a long shot.

Two minutes, earlier, Anh Duc's goal was disallowed as he was flagged offside.

After the break, Kazakhstan made some changes, bringing their best players from the bench. They equalised 11 minutes into the second half with Finonchenko finding the net after goalkeeper Duong Hong Son who came in for Bui Quang Huy, blocked Sumagambetov’s attempt and the ball fell onto his path.

Before the Kazakhs’ equaliser, striker Anh Duc failed to find the unguarded net.

Coach Alfred Riedl of Vietnam brought on Cong Vinh and Phan Thanh Binh for Anh Duc and Phuong Nam.

In the final minute, Cong Vinh headed in Vu Phong's corner, sealing a crucial 2-1 victory for Vietnam.

Ngoc Khanh

Source: Nhan Dan

Olympic team to be called up for Beijing Games qualifier

2007-10-14T22:41:00.001+07:00

(Photo by ThethaoVietnam)

The Vietnam Olympic team will be called up for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games qualifier with Afghanistan from January 1, 2007, reported Ho Chi Minh City Sports newspaper.
The newspaper said among players called up for the Olympic team, there are seven Vietnamese internationals, Mai Tien Thanh, Nguyen Van Bien, Nguyen Vu Phong, Nguyen Minh Chuyen, Nguyen Anh Duc, Le Cong Vinh and Phan Thanh Binh.

Four other players, To Vinh Loi, Tran Duc Cuong, Nguyen Quy Suu, and Luong Van Duoc Em who competed at the 15th Asian Games will also join the team.

The Olympic team play Afghanistan on February 7 at home and play an away match eight days later.

Following is the list of the team:

Goalkeepers: To Vinh Loi (PISICO Binh Dinh), Nguyen Thanh Binh and Tran Duc Cuong (Da Nang) and Nguyen Thanh Tung (Mitsustar Haier Haiphong);

Defenders: Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Tran Quoc Anh and Vo Nhat Tan (Pomina Steel Tien Giang), Doan Viet Cuong (Dong Thap), Mai Xuan Hop, Dong Huy Thai and Mai Tien Thanh (Halida Thanh Hoa), and Nguyen Van Bien (Phu My Nam Dinh);

Midfielders: Nguyen Cong Minh and Nguyen Quang Tinh (Song Lam Nghe An), Nguyen Quy Suu and Chau Phong Hoa (Dong Thap), Nguyen Vu Phong, Hong Trong Phu and Phung Cong Minh (Binh Duong), Phan Thanh Hung (Da Nang), Ngiuyen Minh Chuyen (Southern Steel Saigon Port), Vo Duy Nam (Khatoco Khanh Hoa), Vu Thanh Tung (Mistustar Haier Haiphong, who will be replaced by a player from PISICO Binh Dinh);

Forwards: Nguyen Anh Duc (Binh Duong), Le Cong Vinh (Song Lam Nghe An), Phan Thanh Binh, Luong Van Duoc Em (Dong Thap), Nguyen Van Khai (Dong Tam Long An), Huynh Phuc Hiep (Tien Giang) and Ho Ngoc Huy (Southern Steel Saigon Port).

Blunders cost Olympic team defeat in Asian Games opener

2007-10-14T22:35:00.000+07:00

Huy Hoang handballed, giving Olympic Bahrain a spot kick as Olympic Vietnam lost 2-1. (Photo: Reuters).

Two mistakes from goalkeeper To Vinh Loi and captain Nguyen Huy Hoang cost the Vietnamese Olympic team a 2-1 defeat to stronger opponents Olympic Bahrain in their opening game at the 15th Asian Games on November 29.

Vinh Loi made a mistake as he came far from the goal and failed to come back to block Sayed Mohamed Adnan’s loft from the centre of the field in the 33rd minute while Huy Hoang handballed to give Bahrain a spot kick. Adnan made no mistakes, scoring his second goal. Between two goals of Olympic Bahrain, Le Cong Vinh scored an equaliser.

Due to injuries of key players such as Thanh Binh, Duc Duong and Bao Khanh, before the match, the Vietnamese side started the game with goalkeeper Vinh Loi, defenders Quang Thanh, Huy Hoang, Minh Duc and Van Bien, midfielders Tan Tai, Hong Minh, Minh Chuyen and Vu Phong and forwards Cong Vinh and Anh Duc.

Olympic Bahrain with their better physical form dominated possession from the kick-off and they had their first opportunities after eight minutes. Fatadi Abdulla came close with a powerful strike, which was palmed away by goalkeeper Vinh Loi.

Five minutes later, Vu Phong had to clear off line a close range finish by a Bahrain player.

After ten minutes, the Vietnamese side replied with their first opportunity with Vu Phong volleying wide from the left edge of the box after Tan Tai’s cross in the 15th minute.

Nine minutes later, Tan Tai came close as he curled the ball just centimetres over the bar, collecting the ball after Bahrain goalkeeper Jaafar cleared Vu Phong’s corner kick.

In the 33rd minute, Adnan opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a spectacular lofted shot that fooled Vinh Loi.

Cong Vinh restored the Vietnamese side’s hope as he equalised. After breaking the off-side trap, Cong Vinh deftly controlled a hopeful ball from Tan Tai before calmly finding the back of the net.

However, the Vietnamese players’ joy last for just four minutes. Captain Huy Hoang’ was penalised for handballing in an effort to head the ball clear. Adnan made no mistake, sending Vinh Loi to wrong way to restore a one goal lead for Olympic Bahrain.

Neither side were unable to find the net in the second half with Olympic Bahrain’s dominating the game but not creating many chances.

Their best chance in the second half belong to Abdullatif, whose far corner finish went wide after a good work from his teammate from the left wing.

In their second game, the Vietnamese team play one of the Asian powerhouses, the Republic of Korea while Bahrain play Bangladesh on December 2.

In an earlier game of Group B, medal favourites the Republic of Korea outplayed Bangladesh with an easy 3-0 victory.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Vietnam grouped with Indonesia and Singapore

2007-10-14T22:32:00.001+07:00

Vietnam will meet Indonesia, to whom they lost 3-0 right at home in 2004. (Photo: Vnexpress)

Vietnam will compete with Indonesia, Singapore and Laos for two berths in the semi-finals of the 2007 Southeast Asian championship, reported Ho Chi Minh City Sports newspaper.

The newspaper said the draw ceremony took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 27. The draw was based on the achievements of teams at the 2002 and 2004 Southeast Asian championship (formerly Tiger Cup) with co-hosts Thailand and Singapore being top seeds of two groups.

Indonesia, who reached the final twice, and Malaysia, who reached the semi-finals twice, were in slot two, while Vietnam and Myanmar, who exited the group stage of the 2004 championship, in slot three.

Vietnam were then drawn to Group B with co-hosts Singapore, Indonesia and Laos.

The winners of the championship will be awarded US$100,000, runners-up will receive US$50,000 while third-placed teams, US$15,000.

The fixtures of the championship are as follows:

Schedule:

January 12, 2007(Group A) 4:30pm: Malaysia vs. Philippines
7:00pm: Thailand vs. Myanmar

January 13, 2007: (Group B) 5:30pm: Indonesia vs. Laos
7:00pm: Singapore - Việt Nam

January 14, 2007(Group A) 4:30pm: Malaysia vs. Myanmar
7:00pm: Thailand vs. Philippines

January 15, 2007: (Group B) 5:30pm: Vietnam vs. Indonesia
7:00pm: Singapore vs. Laos

January 16, 2007(Group A) 7:00pm: Myanmar vs. Philippines
7:00pm: Thailand vs. Malaysia

January 15, 2007: (Group B) 8:00pm: Vietnam - Laos
8:00pm: Singapore vs. Indonesia

Source: Nhan Dan

Olympic team ready for first Asian Games opener

2007-10-14T22:28:00.000+07:00

Olympic Vietnam had their first training session in Doha.

The Vietnamese Olympic football team have get ready for the opening game with Olympic Bahrain at the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, due to be held on November 28.

Ho Chi Minh City Sports newspaper reported after their arrival in Doha on November 25, the team had their first training session to adapt themselves with the stadium’s conditions in the afternoon. Coach Alfred Riedl instructed his men with exercises to help them recover from jetlag. They then swifted to four against four exercises.

On November 26, they had their second training. Thanh Binh and Bao Khanh had a separate training schedule to recover their injuries.

Defenders practised the dealing with crosses from two wings while midfielders and forwards practised playing short and direct passing, and finishing.

The Olympic team play their first game against Bahrain on November 28. Five days later, they will meet one of the Asian powerhouses, the Republic of Korea, before playing Bangladesh on December 5.

Source : Nhan Dan

Under-23 with lessons after Bach Viet Cup

2007-10-14T22:25:00.000+07:00

Olympic Vietnam (white) had a good game against Olympic Cameroon despite a 4-1 defeat (Photo: Vnexpress)

The Vietnam under-23 team finished third at the invitational football tournament, Bach Viet Cup, with a victory and two defeats. The tournament has given useful lessons for the hosts, helping them know about their real strength and weaknesses before an important tournament, kicking off later this month, the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, and other important tournaments in 2007.

Weaknesses

The Vietnamese team exposed weaknesses in two matches against stronger opponents, Olympic Finland and Olympic Cameroon.

In their opening game, the hosts failed to play their football as Olympic Finland produced a tight game, thus reducing the strength of the hosts.

Perhaps, due to a a jetbag, the Finnish players were unable to play with their top form. However, they showed how disciplined and well-organised they were.

Playing a simple football, Olympic Finland showed their mastery in counterattacks. They did not give the hosts’ strikers a small chance, breaking all attacks from two wings by the hosts. When they had an opportunity, they converted it into the winner.

The Vietnamese players exposed their weaknesses in tactics. Playing against European opponents with a better physical form, coach Alfred Riedl’s men made mistakes when they played wide, providing cross for two strikers in the penalty box, instead of playing a direct short passing football. As a result, the hosts’ attacks failed to crack the Finnish defence with two centrebacks excellent in air battling. All crosses from Tan Tai and Quang Thanh from the right flank, Bao Khanh and Van Bien from the left, failed to reach strikers Anh Duc and Cong Vinh.

The hosts had only one opportunity with their wide playing style when a neat cross by Quang Thanh found Anh Duc, but the striker’s heading finish went centimetres wide.

Failing to break the deadlock in attack, the home side showed death gaps in defence. Substitute leftback Minh Thien’s mistake in passing the ball to striker Porokara Roni cost the home side a defeat as the Finnish striker found the net with a curly ball after squaring past centreback Minh Duc.

In their final game against Olympic Cameroon, the home side’s defence continued to make mistakes but in-form goalkeeper Vinh Loi helped the hosts reduce their conceding goals to four.

After two games against opponents from Africa and Europe, it is clear that there is still a large gap in class between Vietnam and countries outside Southeast Asia. Two defeats to strong opponents were not a surprise. They, in turn, helped the home side recognise their weaknesses and gain experience for future international tournaments, especially the 2007 Southeast Asian championship.

Strength

The Vietnamese team showed their quality and a good competing spirit in the second match against Indonesia and Olympic Cameroon. This was the team’s strength at the Bach Viet Cup.

After a 1-0 defeat to Olympic Finland in their opening game, the home side started the clash with their bitter rivals in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, with a great determination. They successfully proved their real ability, outplaying the Indonesians. A goal by Duc Duong and several opportunities missed by striker Cong Vinh and Anh Duc, were a result of good game by coach Riedl’s men.

Surprise came from the like of Duc Duong and Van Bien who were given an opportunity when they came for veterans Hong Minh and Bao Khanh.

The hosts set up a good game, dominating most the time and creating many scoring opportunities. Despite the only goal by Duc Duong, young Vietnamese players restored their confidence and morale, which helped them have a good game against Olympic Cameroon, despite a 4-1 defeat.

A flash goal by Cong Vinh with a sensational touch, lobbing the ball over the advancing goalkeeper of Olympic Cameroon, inspired spectators in the Thong Nhat stadium and the Vietnamese team were the only team in the tournament to find the net of Olympic Cameroon.

They lost in the second half, conceding three goals, as they were outplayed by much stronger opponents.

After the Bach Viet Cup, the Olympic team will compete at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, against strong teams from Asia, the Republic of Korea and Bahrain. It is hoped that useful lessons from the Bach Viet Cup will help them gain a good result, especially they will be able to show their quality and good competing spirit.

Ngoc Tuan

Vietnam to play hosts in King’s Cup opener

2007-10-14T22:23:00.000+07:00

Vietnam will play host Thailand in the opening match of the King’s Cup kicking off on December 24, reported Ho Chi Minh City Sports newspaper.
The newspaper said according to the fixtures announced by the organisers, the Vietnamese side would play the first game at 6:30pm on December 24. Two days later, they will play Kazakhstan. They will clash Singapore on December 28.

In preparation for the tournament, the Vietnamese national team will be called up three days after the Olympic team return home from Doha, Qatar, after the 15th Asian Games.

Even though a list of the team has yet to be announced, it is possible that some veterans such as Minh Phuong, Tai Em, Van Nhien, Quang Huy and Nhu Thanh will be called up alongside with young players in the Olympic team.

Olympic team with a test at Bach Viet Cup

2007-10-14T22:19:00.000+07:00

Olympic Vietnam before Bach Viet Cup (Photo: VFF).

Three opponents of Vietnam

Indonesia are familiar opponents of Vietnamese football at Southeast Asian competitions. Competing at the Bach Viet Cup are the national team of Indonesia. Coach Peter Withe explained because the Indonesian Olympic team were preparing for the Asian Games and training in Doha, Qatar, the national team, featured by currently best players of Indonesia, joined the Bach Viet Cup. Among 24 players called up for the Bach Viet Cup, there are seven players registered for the match against Vietnam at the 2004 Tiger Cup. Four of them started the game, in which Indonesia beat Vietnam 3-0 in the My Dinh national stadium.

Before attending the Bach Viet Cup, the Indonesian team finished runners-up at the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia in August. They had a training tour in China, playing friendlies with four clubs from the Chinese league in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Guangdong.

On November 11, they beat Singapore 2-1 in a friendly before leaving for Ho Chi Minh City to compete at the Bach Viet Cup. Mr Withe said he was confident that his team would win the Bach Viet Cup.

Two other teams, Olympic Finland and Olympic Cameroon, remain unknown.

According to Sami Terava, spokesman of the Olympic team of Finland, his team consists of seven players competing at the recently ended European under-21 championship and under-23 players, who played in two defeats to Russia and Hungary in the qualifying round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. However, some of best players are absent as they have to play for their clubs in Norway, Sweden and Italy. However, Mr Terava said, as Olympic Finland considered the tournament a serious test for young players, who would be introduced to the senior team, the players had to produce their best performance.

Like Olympic Finland, Olympic Cameroon are ‘strangers’ to Vietnamese football. What is clear about the team is they have made a good preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games qualifying round. Before arriving in Ho Chi Minh City and played a friendly in China with and lost 1-0 to the hosts.

When the team, consisting of 20 players and six coaches, arrived at the Tan Son Nhat airport, coach Martin Felix said his team wanted to win the Bach Viet Cup.

Test for young players

Before the Agribank Cup, the coaching board of the Vietnamese side had stated the Olympic team would join the Bach Viet Cup in Ho Chi Minh City from November 15-19.

Coach Alfred Riedl said he wanted young players would take the opportunity to prove their ability.

Young players coach Riedl mentioned about are Minh Chuyen, Thanh Binh and goalkeeper Vinh Loi, who may make regular appearance during the tournament.

The absence of Minh Phuong will pave the way for young playmaker Minh Chuyen. The young midfielder had a successful tournament with the Olympic team at the Capital SH Bank Cup with a goal and assists for his teammates. However, during the Agribank Cup, Minh Chuyen started games on bench. Now, it is a real opportunity for him to win a position in Mr Riedl’s starting XI.

Also, striker Thanh Binh, who is still struggling to find his super form, which helped the Vietnamese team win the 2005 Agribank Cup and gain a good result at the VTV-T&T Cup, will return to replace injured Anh Duc. One year ago, Thanh Binh was an automated choice of Mr Riedl for the forward line of the Vietnamese team. However, the 20-year-old player from Dong Thap has not been on his very top form these days. He seemed to look the shadow of the striker that inspired the Vietnamese team’s victory in the My Dinh stadium one year ago. What Thanh Binh needs now is a goal to help him get rid of heavy pressure and end his goal drought.

Young goalkeeper Vinh Loi, who made two blunders in the final game of the Agribank Cup with Thailand, costing the host the tournament title, will have another tough test before debuting at the Asian Games. Despite his mistakes, Vinh Loi is now the first choice in goalkeeping of the Olympic team. His problem is how to overcome pressure of big game. In general, the goalkeeper had played well when he replaced injured Quang Huy at the Agribank Cup, before the mistakes he made due to a lack of experience for international competitions.

Coach Riedl told the local press that his team wanted to win the tournament. To that end, his men should improve their finishing effectiveness. During the Agribank Cup, his team wasted many chances.

The hosts will start the tournament with a game against Olympic Finland in Ho Chi Minh City this afternoon. Home spectators expect Mr Riedl’s men will make a good start with a victory.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Olympic team beat The Cong Viettel 2-0 in friendly

2007-10-14T22:16:00.000+07:00

The Olympic team (red) produced a poor performance despite a 2-0 victory (Photo: VFF)

Two goals by Anh Duc and Duc Duong helped the Vietnamese Olympic football team beat The Cong Viettel 2-0 in a friendly in Hanoi on November 8.

Ho Chi Minh City Sports newspaper reported coach Alfred Riedl did not line up the strongest squad for the match as he used many substitutes with goalkeeper Duc Cuong, defenders Quang Thanh, Dinh Luat, Trong Binh and Minh Thien, midfielders Vu Phong, Quy Suu, Duc Duong and Xuan Thanh, and forwards Anh Duc and Duoc Em.

The Oiympic team failed to make a good link up. As a good result, they failed to create opportunities.

After the break, Anh Duc, who played despite his finger injury, broke the deadlock, finishing off Vu Phong’s cross.

Minutes later, Vu Phong set up Duc Duong with a neat through ball and the midfielder from Midako Nam Dinh squared past The Cong Viettel’s goalkeeper before finding the net.

After the match, coach Riedl was quoted as saying he was not surprised by what his men performed in the game because they had not played together before. The coach went on to say the team would strive to produce an impressive performance at the forthcoming Bach Viet Cup in Ho Chi Minh City.

Before leaving for Ho Chi Minh City, the Olympic team will play HN.ACB in another friendly on November 10.

ASIAD football: Bao Khanh, Quy Suu and Duc Cuong added to U-23 team

2007-10-14T22:07:00.000+07:00

Vietnam (White) vs U23 Bahrain (Red) in Agribank Cup 2006

Coach Alfred Riedl of the Vietnam men’s national football team has decided to enter Bao Khanh, Quy Suu and Duc Cuong in the final list for the competition at the 15th Asian Games (ASIAD) to take place in Doha, Qatar from November 28 to December 14.

Mr Mai Duc Chung, head of the Vietnam Committee for Sports and Physical Training’s football department and assistant to coach Alfred Riedl, said that the above three players were selected in replacement of Van Thanh, Quang Huy and A Huynh.

Despite his serious mistakes at the recent Agribank Cup, goalkeeper To Vinh Loi continues to be trusted as coach Riedl turned the green light on Thach Bao Khanh instead of goalkeeper Quang Huy (over 23 years old).

Vietnam will play the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Bahrain in the men’s Group B of the Football Tournament at the 15th Asian Games (ASIAD).

There will be as many as 30 men’s U-23 teams competing in two rounds. The preliminary round includes only eight teams in groups 1 and 2, who will play against each other to qualify for the second round, with 24 teams divided into six groups (named A, B, C, D, E and F).

Meanwhile, in the women’s football events, the Vietnamese team will compete in group B, which includes the Republic of Korea, the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea, Thailand and Taiwan. The team is likely to rank third at best.

List of Vietnam men’s national football team

Goalkeepers: Vinh Loi, Viet Nam and Duc Cuong.

Defenders: Quang Thanh, Minh Duc, Huy Hoang, Van Bien, Minh Thien and Dinh Luat.

Midfielders: Vu Phong, Tan Tai, Hong Minh, Bao Khanh, Duc Duong, Quy Suu and Minh Chuyen.

Forwards: Cong Vinh, Thanh Binh, Anh Duc and Duoc Em.

Source : Nhan Dan

Goalkeeper’s blunder costs hosts

2007-10-14T22:00:00.001+07:00

Vinh Loi

Two mistakes by young goalkeeper Vinh Loi in the second half cost the hosts the title of the Agribank Cup as they lost to Thailand on goal difference, despite a 2-2 draw in the My Dinh stadium on October 29.

The home side took a 2-0 lead with goals by substitute rightback Phung Van Nhien and striker Le Cong Vinh. However, goalkeeper Vinh Loi made two mistakes, gifting the Thai side two goals to hold the hosts to a 2-2 draw in a game the hosts had to win to win the cup.

Before the match, Thailand had a better goal difference, four in comparison with three of the hosts. Therefore, a draw with the hosts would be enough for them to win the 2006 Agribank Cup.

The home side started the game with the squad which beat Under-23 Bahrain 2-0 two days ago and New Zealand 1-0 in the first match , while Thailand lined up their strongest squad, which helped them beat Under-23 Bahrain 3-0 and New Zealand 1-0.
The home side opened the scoring after 57 minutes. Phung Van Nhien’s freekick deflected the ground before finding the net. The My Dinh stadium exploded with celebrations from the home spectators.

Going 1-0 down, the Thai had to attack to seek an equaliser. As a result, gaps exposed in their defence, creating chances for the home side’s players in their counterattacks.

In a counterattack, midfielder Hong Minh pinpointed a long ball to skipper Minh Phuong on the left flank, whose cross set up Cong Vinh to head in the second goal.

Anh Duc came close as he was denied by goalkeeper Kosin of Thailand. The Vietnamese striker was set up by Cong Vinh, but his shot deflected and was blocked by Kosin.

Young keeper Vinh Loi made a mistake as he could not catch Thonglao’s 20 metre shot, letting the ball fly to the top of the net.

Minutes later, the goalkeeper’s another blunder gifted substitute Tana Chanabut an equaliser.

Despite great efforts, the home side failed to score more.

In the 2005 Agribank Cup, Vietnam beat Thailand 2-1 with goals by Quoc Vuong and Van Quyen to win the title. In 2004, they drew 1-1 with the Thai side.

After three games, Thailand and Vietnam gained a total of seven points each, but the Thais led on goal difference.

The Thai side was awarded US$40,000 as bonus with the Cup, while Vietnam, US$20,000.

New Zealand, who beat Under-23 Bahrain with a goal by Leo Shin, finished third with a bonus of US$10,000.

Skipper Minh Phuong was voted as best Vietnamese player of the tournament and awarded a Yamaha motorbike, valued at VND 21 million.

Ngoc Tuan

Source : Nhan Dan

Hosts to compete for gold with Thailand

2007-10-14T21:53:00.000+07:00

Anh Duc - Vietnam Team (White)- Photo by Nhan Dan

Hosts Vietnam will compete for the 2006 Agribank Cup title with Thailand as the two sides have gained six points each after two match days. The home side beat Under-23 Bahrain 2-0 with two goals by Anh Duc and Minh Phuong, while Thailand beat New Zealand 1-0 with a winner by Terateep Winothai.

The home side had three changes in comparison with their first game against New Zealand with goalkeeper Quang Huy and centreback Minh Duc sidelined and Vu Phong starting from the bench. Coming for them were goalkeeper Vinh Loi, centreback Nhu Thanh and winger Tan Tai.

Home spectators in the My Dinh stadium had to wait for 14 minutes to celebrate the hosts’ opener. Anh Duc cut the Bahrain defence and fired home from a close range after a through ball from skipper Minh Phuong, who made a good work on the right flank.

Under-23 Bahrain had their first opportunity after 40 minutes with a wide finish. The home side replied immediately with Cong Vinh shot centimetres wide after a good control in the penalty box.

Ten minutes after the break, the hosts had two good opportunities with Cong Vinh anh Minh Phuong curling their freekick wide.

Under-23 Bahrain went down to ten men from the 63rd minute, with Al Olaimy sent off after being shown the yellow card for the second time. Under-23 Bahrain had a good opportunity with Salma Joma’a testing goalkeeper Vinh Loi with an 18 metre shot, which was palmed away by the home side’s goalkeeper.

The hosts replied immediately with Cong Vinh and Hong Minh forcing goalkeeper Hamad Ebrahim to make good saves.

The home side extended the lead with Minh Phuong headed in after goalkeeper Ebrahim failed to catch Vu Phong’s corner kick.

Anh Duc and substitute striker Thanh Binh, who came for Cong Vinh, came close. Anh Duc headed wide after Tan Tai’s cross, while Thanh Binh forced the Bahrain goalkeeper to stretch for a save.

It was the second victory at the Agribank Cup for the hosts, who are expected to have a tough game against Thailand in their final game two days later. The two teams now have six points each but the Thai lead on goal difference.

Earlier, the Thai side beat New Zealand 1-0 with a goal by Terateep Winothai in the second half.

After the match, coach Alfred Riedl said in a press conference: “It was a tough and interesting match. For our players, this was a tough test for the future, even, may be, for the 2007 Asian Cup coming here in Hanoi. We deserved to win as we are the better team, we had more possession time. Our players played better in the second half. The first half was not good as our players were surprised by Bahrain players.”

Ngoc Tuan

Source: Nhan Dan

Hosts beat New Zealand 1-0 at Agribank Cup opener

2007-10-14T21:41:00.000+07:00

Striker Cong Vinh (9) scored the winner for the hosts. ( Photo by Nhan Dan Online)

Hosts Vietnam made a good start at the Agribank Cup as they beat New Zealand in their first game in the My Dinh Stadium on October 24 with striker Le Cong Vinh scoring the winner in the first half. In another match, Thailand outplayed Under-23 Bahrain with a 3-0 victory.

The Vietnamese side started the game against strong opponents New Zealand with goalkeeper Quang Huy, defenders Quang Thanh, Minh Duc, Huy Hoang and Van Bien, midfielders Vu Phong, Minh Phuong, Hong Minh and Bao Khanh, and two forwards Anh Duc and Cong Vinh.

The home side launched attacks after kick-off and they had two opportunities in the first three minutes. Central midfielder Hong Minh’s finish outside the penalty box was just over the bar. Young forward Anh Duc failed to find the net in a head-to-head situation with New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston.

Vietnamese spectators in the My Dinh stadium did not have to wait for a long time to celebrate. On 15 minutes, Anh Duc released his partner Cong Vinh with a neat through ball to fire home an opener in a head-to-head against advancing Paston.

The home side created many more opportunities but Bao Khanh and Hong Minh shot over the bar.

When the hosts lost their attacking rhythm, New Zealand had a good opportunity to equalise. Goalkeeper Quang Huy had to use a bicycle kick to clear off the line.

New Zealand found the net but the goal was disallowed and the home side was given a goal kick.

Striker Cong Vinh wasted a golden chance to extend the lead. Cong Vinh made a good touch to beat a centreback of New Zealand, but his left-footed finish went centimetres over the bar just from six yard. The provider was Anh Duc.

After the break, the hosts continued to dominate the game and create some more opportunities but Cong Vinh, Anh Duc and Vu Phong failed to find the net.

The victory earned the hosts three points but they stand behind Thailand, who outplayed Under-23 Bahrain in an early match with a 3-0 victory. Ekephan Inthasen, Teeratep Winothai and Datsakorn Thonglao were named on the scoresheet for Thailand.

Two days later, Vietnam will play Under-23 Bahrain, while Thais play New Zealand.

After the match, coach Alfred Riedl of Vietnam said that his men had a good game but missed many chances. He said that the Vietnamese team was in a good shape but they were not best physically as they were training in preparation for other more important events.

Ngoc Tuan

Source : Nhan Dan

National team from Capital SH Bank Cup to Agribank Cup

2007-10-14T21:37:00.000+07:00

Striker Anh Duc (red) was one of the best players at the Capital SH Bank Cup and is expected to star at the Agribank Cup. (Photo:VFF)

The Vietnam national football team are preparing for one of the major tournaments, Agribank Cup, taking place in Hanoi from October 25-29. Despite being an invitational tournament, it is an opportunity for Vietnamese players to prepare for more important events in 2007, such as the Southeast Asian championship and Asian Cup finals.

The Vietnamese team, featured mainly with young players in preparation for the forthcoming Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, were called up for their first training session on September 25. They then had an eight day training tour in Japan with two friendlies against local teams, in which the Vietnamese side won, 6-3 over Sagawa Kyubin Tokyo and 3-0 over Sony Senday.

Returning from Japan, the team joined the Capital SH Bank Cup with junior teams from Malaysia and Thailand.

It was no surprise when the Vietnamese team won the cup as they were stronger and more experienced than their Malaysian and Thai opponents, featured by under-21 players.

In two games, the Vietnamese side scored six goals and kept clean sheet. However, the home side received critics from the local media for their performances.

Despite a 4-0 smashing victory, the hosts’ defence exposed dead gaps, which could have made them pay the price if Malaysian players had finished better.

In their second game against Thailand, the Vietnamese side, despite being considered as top favourites, were troubled by their young opponents.

When Bao Khanh was struggling against injuries, Vu Phong was tested on the left flank. However, it was unfamiliar role for the midfielder from Binh Duong, who played in the right at his club.

At the same time, central midfielders Hong Minh and Minh Phuong could not give all their best during the tournament as they looked their shadow at the VTV-T&T Cup in early this year, when Vietnam had three draws against strong contestants, Olympic Uzbekistan, Olympic Iran and Olympic Australia. As a result, the hosts’ midfield collapsed and the defence sometimes suffered a heavy pressure from.

After what the national team showed at the Capital SH Bank Cup, Vietnamese spectators started to worry on how the players would compete against stronger opponents from Thailand, Bahrain and New Zealand at the Agribank Cup, with just only two weeks to settle their problems.

However, the side introduced some good players during the tournament. Young goalkie To Vinh Loi kept the sheet clean for 180 minutes. Rightback Quang Thanh had a successful tournament and has become the first choice in starting XI of coach Riedl.

Minh Chuyen partly proved his ability when he played behind two front men with a goal in the final game against Thailand and several opportunities.

Towering striker Anh Duc paid the coach’s faith as he scored three goals in two games to become the tournament top scorer. When Thanh Binh is struggling to be back in his top form, Anh Duc can win a place in starting XI at the Agribank Cup.

After the tournament, the national team had two more friendlies against V-League clubs, in which they beat Mitsustar Haier Haiphong 2-1 and Midako Nam Dinh 4-0, before the Agribank Cup.

Assistant coach Mai Duc Chung said that the whole team were in a good shape, physically and spiritually. After the tournament, the team had improved their fitness and performance. Mr Chung said the team would produce a better performance at the Agribank Cup.

At the same time, the return of midfielder Tai Em and Van Thanh, who missed the Capital SH Bank Cup will give the coaching board more options for the attacking line, when they face strong opponents from Thailand, New Zealand and Bahrain.

The Vietnam national team, according to Mr Chung, will play with their strongest squad with an aim to gain the best result. However, opportunities will also be given to some young players. Others will be further tested at the Bach Viet Cup, which will take place in Ho Chi Minh City in November.

Ngoc Tuan

Source : Nhân Dân

Giải Vô Địch Quốc Gia 2007 (V-League Lần 7)

2007-10-14T21:25:00.000+07:00

Giải vô địch bóng đá Việt Nam 2007, có tên chính thức là Giải bóng đá vô địch quốc gia Petro Vietnam Gas 2007 hay Petro Vietnam Gas V-League 2007, với 14 câu lạc bộ tham dự dự kiến sẽ diễn ra từ ngày 3 tháng 3 đến 23 tháng 9 năm 2007.

Đội vô địch sẽ được thưởng 700 triệu đồng, đội hạng nhì và ba nhận lần lượt 350 và 150 triệu. Các giải khác như giải phong cách và giải cầu thủ xuất sắc nhất được thưởng 50 triệu và 10 triệu.

Thông tin về giải đấu
Tên một số câu lạc bộ thay đổi so với mùa bóng trước [1]:
Bình Dương thành Becamex Bình Dương
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An thành Đồng Tâm Long An
Mikado Nam Định thành Đạm Phú Mỹ Nam Định
Pjico Sông Lam Nghệ An thành Tài chính dầu khí - Sông Lam Nghệ An
Bản quyền truyền hình: năm thứ hai liên tiếp, giải vô địch bóng đá Việt Nam bán được bản quyền truyền hình với giá 30 triệu đồng một trận (cao hơn mùa giải trước 5 triệu đồng) [2].
Lịch thi đấu: lần đầu tiên, một số trận đấu bắt đầu lúc 19h30 hoặc 20h; một vòng đấu sẽ diễn ra cả hai ngày thứ bảy và Chủ nhật [3]

Các thứ hạng quan trọng
Đội vô địch: Becamex Bình Dương (trước 4 vòng đấu)
Đội hạng nhì:Đồng Tâm Long An
Đội hạng ba:Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
Hai đội xuống hạng:Đồng Tháp, Huda Huế
Đội đi đấu play-off (thứ 12):Hoà Phát Hà Nội
Cầu thủ ghi nhiều bàn thắng nhất: Almeida (Đà Nẵng-16 bàn)
Huấn luyện viên xuất sắc nhất: Lê Thuỵ Hải (Becamex Bình Dương)
Giải phong cách:Pisico Bình Định
Giải câu lạc bộ có cổ động viên tốt nhất:Hội cổ động viên Bóng đá Bình Dương

Ảnh : Bình Dương trong ngày nhận cúp (Quốc Anh - Vietnamnet)

[sửa] Bảng xếp hạng
Bảng xếp hạng chung cuộc
TT Đội Trận Thắng Hòa Thua Điểm BT BTSK BB HS TV TĐ
1 Becamex Bình Dương 26 16 7 3 55 42 13 22 20 45 3
2 Đồng Tâm Long An 26 12 8 6 44 44 19 29 15 34 4
3 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 26 12 5 9 41 40 15 33 7 44 3
4 Đạm Phú Mỹ Nam Định 26 10 8 8 38 35 15 31 4 40 3
5 Đà Nẵng 26 9 10 7 37 33 10 28 5 52 2
6 Pisico - Bình Định 26 10 6 10 36 34 18 36 -2 47 1
7 Tài chính dầu khí - Sông Lam Nghệ An 26 8 11 7 35 38 18 35 3 47 1
8 Thép Miền Nam - Cảng Sài Gòn 26 8 10 8 34 41 15 40 1 50 2
9 Halida Thanh Hóa 26 8 10 8 34 27 12 30 -3 46 2
10 Khatoco Khánh Hòa 26 10 4 12 34 30 10 31 -1 43 3
11 Hà Nội - ACB 26 8 7 11 31 30 13 36 -6 44 0
12 Hòa Phát Hà Nội 26 7 9 10 30 31 13 41 -10 61 2
13 Đồng Tháp 26 3 11 12 20 21 10 35 -14 36 1
14 Huda Huế 26 4 8 14 20 25 10 44 -19 34 0

[sửa] Danh sách cầu thủ ghi nhiều bàn thắng
# Họ tên Quốc tịch Câu lạc bộ Số bàn thắng
1. Almeida Brasil Đà Nẵng 16
2. Kabanga Tshamala Congo Đồng Tâm Long An 15
3. Elenildo De Jesus Brasil Thép Miền Nam - Cảng Sài Gòn 14
4. Adrew Opara Nigeria Huda Huế 13
= Jonathan Quartey Ghana Khánh Hòa 13
= Valdiney Brasil TCDK - Sông Lam Nghệ An 13
7. Amaobi Nigeria Becamex Bình Dương 12
= Antonio Carlos Brasil Đồng Tâm Long An 12
9. Jucelio Da Silva Brasil Hoà Phát Hà Nội 11
= Kesley Brasil Bình Dương 11
= Sarayoot Thái Lan Pisico Bình Định 11

Thẻ phạt

Kỉ lục

Trận đấu
Nội dung Đội Số trận
Thắng nhiều nhất Bình Dương 16
Thắng ít nhất Đồng Tháp 3
Thua nhiều nhất Huda Huế 14
Thua ít nhất Bình Dương 3
Hoà nhiều nhất Đồng Tháp
TCDK Sông Lam Nghệ An 11

Bàn thắng
Nội dung Đội Số bàn
Ghi nhiều bàn nhất Bình Dương 46
Ghi ít bàn nhất Đồng Tháp 21
Thua ít bàn nhất Bình Dương 22
Thua nhiều bàn nhất Huda Huế 44
Ghi nhiều bàn sân nhà nhất Bình Dương 29
Ghi nhiều bàn sân khách nhất Đồng Tâm Long An 19

Cầu thủ ghi nhiều bàn thắng nhất trong 1 trận đấu: Đình Việt (Hoàng Anh Gia Lai) ghi được 5 bàn trong trận thắng Hoà Phát Hà Nội 6-1 ở vòng đấu cuối cùng
Trận thắng đậm nhất: Hoàng Anh Gia Lai thắng Hoà Phát Hà Nội 6-1 ở vòng 26.
Trận hoà có tỉ số cao nhất: Đồng Tháp hòa TCDK.SLNA 3-3 ở vòng 5.

Điểm số
Nội dung Đội Số điểm
Giành nhiều điểm sân nhà nhất Bình Dương 33
Giành nhiều điểm sân khách nhất Bình Dương 22

Thẻ phạt
Nội dung Đội Số thẻ
Nhận nhiều thẻ đỏ nhất Đồng Tâm Long An 4
Nhận ít thẻ đỏ nhất Hà Nội ACB
Huda Huế 0
Nhận nhiều thẻ vàng nhất Hoà Phát Hà Nội 61
Nhận ít thẻ vàng nhất Đồng Tâm Long An
Huda Huế 34

Theo Wikipedia

Tham Chiếu :

Lịch Thi Đấu và kết quả giải V-League 2007

Bảng xếp hạng chung cuộc V-League 2007

Giải Vô Địch Quốc Gia 2006 (V-League Lần 6)

2007-10-01T09:27:00.001+07:00

Giải vô địch bóng đá Việt Nam 2006, có tên chính thức là Giải vô địch quốc gia Eurowindow 2006 hay V-League Eurowindow 2006, với 13 câu lạc bộ tham dự đã diễn ra từ 15 tháng 1 đến 20 tháng 8 năm 2006.

Đây là lần đầu tiên, giải có 13 đội tham dự. Câu lạc bộ thứ 14 là câu lạc bộ bóng đá Đông Á mất quyền tham gia vì đã hối lộ trọng tài ở hạng nhất 2005 (Đông Á xếp thứ 3). Các đội bóng sẽ thi đấu vòng tròn 2 lượt. Đội vô địch, thứ 2 và thứ 3 lần lượt được thưởng 700, 350 và 150 triệu đồng. Đội xếp thứ 13 (cuối cùng) sẽ phải xuống giải hạng nhất. Còn đội xếp thứ 12 sẽ đá play-off với đội xếp thứ 3 giải hạng nhất 2006.

21 tháng 2, ông Đoàn Minh Xương - huấn luyện viên câu lạc bộ bóng đá Bình Dương từ chức. Người thay thế là ông Lê Thụy Hải.
27 tháng 2, ông Arjhan Somgamsak - huấn luyện viên Hoàng Anh Gia Lai từ chức. Người thay thế là ngôi sao của đội, Kiatisuk Senamuang.
26 tháng 4, Đội LG.HN.ACB đổi tên thành ACB-Hà Nội
8 tháng 5, ông Vũ Trường Giang - huần luyện viên đội Tiền Giang bị sa thải. Ông Nguyễn Kim Hằng về thay thế.
3 tháng 8, ông Nguyễn Văn Dũng - huần luyện viên đội Hải Phòng từ chức. Ông Phạm Văn Hùng, Giám đốc điều hành câu lạc bộ, lên thay.

Vô địch: Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An
Xuống hạng nhất: Tiền Giang
Đá play-off với đội xếp thứ 3 giải hạng nhất: Hải Phòng
Vua phá lưới: Elenildo De Jesus (9, Brasil, Cảng Sài Gòn) – 18 bàn
Cầu thủ xuất sắc nhất: Lê Công Vinh (9, Sông Lam Nghệ An)
Huấn luyện viên xuất sắc nhất: Huỳnh Ngọc San và Henrique Calisto (Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An)
Thủ môn xuất sắc nhất:
Cầu thủ trẻ U-23 xuất sắc nhất:
Giải phong cách: Khatoco Khánh Hòa
Tổng hợp: 379 bàn thắng (trung bình 2,4 bàn/trận); 574 thẻ vàng (3,6 thẻ/trận); 33 thẻ đỏ (0,2 thẻ/trận); tổng số khán giả - 1.006.500 người (6.451 người/trận)

Lượt đi Trận Lượt về
Ngày Sân Tỷ số Đội Đội Tỷ số Sân Ngày
15 tháng 1
2006 Chi Lăng 1-0 Đà Nẵng - Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 2-3 Pleiku 29 tháng 4
2006
Lạch Tray 3-1 Hải Phòng - Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 1-2 Long An 30 tháng 4
2006
Hàng Đẫy 2-2 Hòa Phát Hà Nội - LG.HN.ACB 1-2 Hàng Đẫy
Quy Nhơn 1-0 Bình Định - Khánh Hoà 3-3 Nha Trang
Thiên Trường 0-1 Nam Định - Bình Dương 0-2 Gò Dậu
Mỹ Tho 0-0 Tiền Giang - Sông Lam Nghệ An 0-1 Vinh
18 tháng 1
2006 Hàng Đẫy 0-0 Hòa Phát Hà Nội - Bình Định 3-1 Quy Nhơn 7 tháng 5
2006
Gò Dậu 0-0 Bình Dương - Cảng Sài Gòn 4-2 Thống Nhất
Nha Trang 1-0 Khánh Hoà - Tiền Giang 2-0 Tiền Giang
Chi Lăng 1-2 Đà Nẵng - Nam Định 0-0 Thiên Trường
Long An 0-0 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An - Sông Lam Nghệ An 2-0 Vinh
Pleiku 2-0 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai - Hải Phòng 1-0 Lạch Tray
22 tháng 1
2006 Thống Nhất 1-4 Cảng Sài Gòn - Đà Nẵng 1-1 Chi Lăng 13 tháng 5
2006
Nha Trang 1-0 Khánh Hoà - Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 1-3 Long An
Hàng Đẫy 0-0 LG.HN.ACB - Bình Định 1-4 Quy Nhơn 14 tháng 5
2006
Mỹ Tho 2-1 Tiền Giang - Hòa Phát Hà Nội 2-2 Hàng Đẫy
Thiên Trường 1-1 Nam Định - Hải Phòng 1-0 Lạch Tray
Vinh 1-0 Sông Lam Nghệ An - Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 0-3 Pleiku
5 tháng 2
2006 Hàng Đẫy 2-0 LG.HN.ACB - Bình Dương 1-3 Gò Dậu 21 tháng 5
2006
Quy Nhơn 1-0 Bình Định - Tiền Giang 0-1 Tiền Giang
Long An 1-1 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An - Hòa Phát Hà Nội 5-2 Hàng Đẫy
Lạch Tray 1-3 Hải Phòng - Cảng Sài Gòn 3-1 Thống Nhất
Pleiku 1-1 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai - Khánh Hoà 0-3 Nha Trang
Vinh 1-1 Sông Lam Nghệ An - Nam Định 0-2 Thiên Trường
12 tháng 2
2006 Mỹ Tho 1-0 Tiền Giang - LG.HN.ACB 1-2 Hàng Đẫy 28 tháng 5
2006
Chi Lăng 2-1 Đà Nẵng - Bình Dương 0-2 Gò Dậu
Long An 0-0 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An - Bình Định 1-3 Quy Nhơn
Hàng Đẫy 2-1 Hòa Phát Hà Nội - Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 0-1 Pleiku
Thống Nhất 2-1 Cảng Sài Gòn - Sông Lam Nghệ An 1-1 Vinh
Nha Trang 1-1 Khánh Hoà - Nam Định 0-1 Thiên Trường
19 tháng 2
2006 Hàng Đẫy 1-0 LG.HN.ACB - Đà Nẵng 0-1 Chi Lăng 4 tháng 6
2006
Mỹ Tho 0-1 Tiền Giang - Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 0-3 Long An
Gò Dậu 2-3 Bình Dương - Hải Phòng 1-1 Lạch Tray
Quy Nhơn 1-0 Bình Định - Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 1-1 Pleiku
Thiên Trường 0-1 Nam Định - Hòa Phát Hà Nội 0-1 Hàng Đẫy
Thống Nhất 0-0 Cảng Sài Gòn - Khánh Hoà 2-0 Nha Trang
26 tháng 2
2006 Long An 0-1 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An - LG.HN.ACB 3-1 Hàng Đẫy 19 tháng 7
2006
Lạch Tray 2-2 Hải Phòng - Đà Nẵng 2-2 Chi Lăng
Pleiku 0-0 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai - Tiền Giang 0-2 Mỹ Tho
Vinh 2-1 Sông Lam Nghệ An - Bình Dương 0-0 Gò Dậu
Thiên Trường 1-0 Nam Định - Bình Định 1-4 Quy Nhơn
Hàng Đẫy 4-3 Hòa Phát Hà Nội - Cảng Sài Gòn 0-2 Thống Nhất
3 tháng 3
2006 Pleiku 3-0 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai - Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 1-0[1] Long An 23 tháng 7
2006
4 tháng 3
2006 Chi Lăng 1-1 Đà Nẵng - Sông Lam Nghệ An 1-2 Vinh
5 tháng 3
2006 Hàng Đẫy 1-1 LG.HN.ACB - Hải Phòng 1-1 Lạch Tray
Mỹ Tho 1-2 Tiền Giang - Nam Định 0-0 Thiên Trường
Nha Trang 0-1 Khánh Hoà - Bình Dương 0-1 Gò Dậu
Quy Nhơn 1-1 Bình Định - Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 Thống Nhất
12 tháng 3
2006 Hàng Đẫy 1-1 LG.HN.ACB - Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 2-3 Pleiku 30 tháng 7
2006
Lạch Tray 0-0 Hải Phòng - Sông Lam Nghệ An 1-2 Vinh
Long An 3-0 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An - Nam Định 2-1 Thiên Trường
Chi Lăng 2-1 Đà Nẵng - Khánh Hoà 0-2 Nha Trang
Thống Nhất 1-0 Cảng Sài Gòn - Tiền Giang 1-1 Mỹ Tho
Gò Dậu 3-0 Bình Dương - Hòa Phát Hà Nội 0-1 Hàng Đẫy
18 tháng 3
2006 Long An 4-3 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An - Cảng Sài Gòn 1-2 Thống Nhất 3 tháng 8
2006
Hàng Đẫy 1-2 Hòa Phát Hà Nội - Đà Nẵng 0-0 Chi Lăng
19 tháng 3
2006 Vinh 2-1 Sông Lam Nghệ An - LG.HN.ACB 3-0 Hàng Đẫy
Thiên Trường 2-0 Nam Định - Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 0-1 Pleiku
Nha Trang 3-1 Khánh Hoà - Hải Phòng 3-1 Lạch Tray
Gò Dậu 0-3 Bình Dương - Bình Định 1-0 Quy Nhơn
26 tháng 3
2006 Hàng Đẫy 1-2 LG.HN.ACB - Nam Định 1-0 Thiên Trường 6 tháng 8
2006
Nha Trang 3-1 Khánh Hoà - Sông Lam Nghệ An 1-3 Vinh
Pleiku 1-0 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai - Cảng Sài Gòn 0-0 Thống Nhất
Lạch Tray 5-1 Hải Phòng - Hòa Phát Hà Nội 1-3 Hàng Đẫy
Quy Nhơn 0-0 Bình Định - Đà Nẵng 1-3 Chi Lăng
Mỹ Tho 3-3 Tiền Giang - Bình Dương 0-2 Gò Dậu
2 tháng 4
2006 Hàng Đẫy 1-0 LG.HN.ACB - Khánh Hoà 0-0 Nha Trang 13 tháng 8
2006
Thống Nhất 4-1 Cảng Sài Gòn - Nam Định 2-3 Thiên Trường
Vinh 1-1 Sông Lam Nghệ An - Hòa Phát Hà Nội 3-1 Hàng Đẫy
Lạch Tray 2-1 Hải Phòng - Bình Định 0-1 Quy Nhơn
Long An 2-2 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An - Bình Dương 2-1 Gò Dậu
Chi Lăng 2-0 Đà Nẵng - Tiền Giang 0-2 Mỹ Tho
8 tháng 4
2006 Chi Lăng 4-0 Đà Nẵng - Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 1-2 Long An 20 tháng 8
2006
9 tháng 4
2006 Thống Nhất 0-2 Cảng Sài Gòn - LG.HN.ACB 2-4 Hàng Đẫy
Hàng Đẫy 0-1 Hòa Phát Hà Nội - Khánh Hoà 2-3 Nha Trang
Quy Nhơn 3-0 Bình Định - Sông Lam Nghệ An 2-2 Vinh
Gò Dậu 0-0 Bình Dương - Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 2-1 Pleiku
Mỹ Tho 1-1 Tiền Giang - Hải Phòng 0-0 Lạch Tray

▲ Trợ lý trọng tài Châu Đức Thành bị ném chảy máu đầu. Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An bị phạt 20 triệu đồng và phải thi đấu một trận trên sân nhà không có khán giả [1].

Đấu play-off
Giữa đội xếp thứ 12 giải chuyên nghiệp và đội xếp thứ 3 giải hạng nhất.

30 tháng 8, 2006
M. H. Hải Phòng 1–1 (hiệp phụ)
3–4 (phạt đền) Huda Huế Thiên Trường, Nam Định
Trọng tài: Dương Mạnh Hùng
Julien 35' Marcelo Barbieri 21'

TT Đội Trận Thắng Hòa Thua Hiệu số Điểm
1 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 24 12 4 8 38-32 40
2 Bình Dương 24 11 6 7 33-25 39
3 Bình Định 24 9 9 6 32-22 36
4 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 24 10 6 8 24-21 36
5 Sông Lam Nghệ An 24 9 9 6 27-27 36
6 Khatoco Khánh Hoà 24 10 5 9 30-25 35
7 Đà Nẵng 24 9 7 8 32-27 34
8 ACB-Hà Nội (1) 24 9 6 9 28-31 33
9 Nam Định 24 9 5 10 22-28 32
10 Cảng Sài Gòn 24 7 8 9 35-38 29
11 Hòa Phát Hà Nội 24 7 6 11 30-41 27
12 Hải Phòng 24 5 9 10 31-36 24
13 Tiền Giang 24 5 8 11 17-26 23

1 Ở giai đoạn 1, Đội ACB-Hà Nội mang tên LG.HN.ACB

Theo Vikipedia

Giải Vô Địch Quốc Gia 2005 (V-League Lần 5)

2007-10-01T09:19:00.000+07:00

Gạch lên ngôi nhờ sự sa sút bất ngờ của Bình Dương (dẫn đầu trong suốt một thời gian dài) cũng như Đà Nẵng, nhưng không thể không giành những lời khen ngợi cho đội quân của HLV Calisto khi đã chơi một thứ bóng đá ''sạch''. Lực quá yếu nên Đồng Tháp sớm phải nhận tấm vé xuống hạng, LG.HN.ACB phải đấu play-off với Tôn Hoa Sen Cần Thơ và may mắn trụ lại được ở hạng cao nhất.

Vòng 1 (ngày 30/1)

* Hòa Phát HN 3-2 SĐ.NĐ (HP.HN: Jucelio Da Silva 15, 62, Rogerio Correira 77; SĐ.NĐ: Nguyễn Trung Kiên 44, Nikolay Tkachenko 68)

* Hải Phòng 0-0 LG.HN.ACB

* HL.BĐ 0-2 HAGL (Kiatisuk Senamuang 40, Dusit Chalermsan 77)

* SLNA 1-0 Đà Nẵng (James Omondi 8)

* GÐT 2-0 Đồng Tháp (Ishamala Kabanga 39, Phan Văn Tài Em 53)

* Bình Dương 0-1 Thép MN.CSG (Hồ Văn Lợi 83)

Vòng 2

Ngày 5/2

* HAGL 3-1 SLNA (HAGL: Nguyễn Lâm Tấn 18og, Nguyễn Minh Hải 29, Kiatisuk Senamuang 75;
Lê Công Vinh 90)

Ngày 6/2

* SĐ.NĐ 2-1 Hải Phòng (Nguyễn Trung Kiên 3, Ngọc Linh 73; Julien Nsengiyumva 13)

* LG.HN.ACB 1-1 Hòa Phát HN (LG.HN.ACB: Mauricio Luis 62; HP.HN: Jucelio Da Silva 13)

* Đà Nẵng 1-1 HL.BĐ (Đà Nẵng: Achilefu Emeka 58; HL.BĐ: Lê Anh 22)

* Đồng Tháp 1-1 Bình Dương (Đồng Tháp: Phan Thanh Bình 32; BD: Duong Van Pho 19og)

* Thép MN.CSG 2-2 GÐT (TMN.CSG: Yevgen Diachenko 47, Võ Phương Hải 57; GĐT: Santos 7, Nguyễn Minh Phương 75)

Vòng 3 (ngày 20/2)

* SĐ.NĐ 0-0 LG.HN.ACB

* Hòa Phát HN 1-1 Hải Phòng (HP.HN: Jucelio Da Silva 48; HP: Julien Nsengiyumva 58)

* HL.BĐ 1-0 SLNA (Văn Tâm 48)

* HAGL 1-1 Đà Nẵng (HA.GL: Kiatisuk Senamuang 50; ĐN: Honest Amaobi 73)

* Thép MN.CSG 2-2 Đồng Tháp (TMN.CSG: Balenko 2, Cao Tùng A Vỹ 90; Văn Nghĩa 27, Duy Quang 45)

* GÐT 1-1 Bình Dương (GĐT: A. Carlos Rodrigues 7; BD: Ðình Phước 90)

Vòng 4 (ngày 27/2)

* Hải Phòng 3-2 GÐT (HP: Văn Thành 17, Ngọc Thanh 73, Đức Cường 86; GĐT: Ishamala Kabanga 63, Carlos Rodrigues 84)

* LG.HN.ACB 2-0 Đồng Tháp (Thanh Sơn 37, 85)

* SLNA 2-3 Hòa Phát HN (SLNA: Alphonse 4, Công Mạnh 10; HP.HN: Rogerio Correira 43, Jucelio Da Silva 52, Dos Santos 80)

* Đà Nẵng 2-0 SĐ.NĐ (Honest Amaobi 1, Minh Đức 63)

* HL.BĐ 0-1 Bình Dương (Philani 48)

* HAGL 0-0 Thép MN.CSG

Vòng 5

Ngày 5/3

* HL.BĐ 0-0 Thép MN.CSG

* Bình Dương 3-1 HAGL (BD: Philani 35, Kesley 45, Trung Vĩnh 82; HAGL: Kiatisuk Senamuang 90pen)

Ngày 6/3

* Đồng Tháp 1-1 Hải Phòng (Sydorenko 40; Đặng Văn Thành 67)

* LG.HN.ACB 2-3 GÐT (LG.HN.ACB: Mauricio Luis 16, Hải Nam 82; LG.HN.ACB: Carlos Rodrigues 45, 52, Minh Phương 65)

* SĐ.NĐ 1-1 SLNA (Nikolay Tkachenko 49; Jabulani 65)

* Đà Nẵng 2-1 Hòa Phát HN (ĐN: Achilefu 20, Honest Amaobi 86; HP.HN: Dos Santos 12)

Vòng 6 (ngày 13/3)

* Đồng Tháp 0-1 HAGL (Dương Minh Ninh 73)

* Hòa Phát HN 1-2 Bình Dương (HP.HN: Dos Santos 30; BD: Abbey 43, Philani 46)

* Thép MN.CSG 3-1 SĐ.NĐ (TMN.CSG: Diachenko 1, Hữu Đức 6, Cao Tùng A Vỹ 83; SĐ.NĐ: Trung Kiên 88)

* SLNA 4-4 Hải Phòng (SLNA: Omondi 14, 50, Công Vinh 21, Tân Thịnh 65; HP: Julien 55, Mulisa 69, 81, Thế Phong 86)

* Đà Nẵng 0-0 LG.HN.ACB

* GÐT 1-1 HL.BĐ (Antonio Rodrigues 24; Hoàng Lâm 35)

Vòng 7 (ngày 27/3)

* Hòa Phát HN 1-3 Thép MN.CSG (HP.HN: Huỳnh Điệp 74; TMN.CSG: Hồ Văn Lợi 24, Chí Tháng 47, Diachenko 91)

* SĐ.NĐ 3-3 Bình Dương (SĐ.NĐ: Alfredo 13, 91, Tkachenko 80pen; BD: Kesley 44, 50, 83)

* SLNA 0-0 LG.HN.ACB

* Hải Phòng 2-2 Đà Nẵng (HP: Ngọc Thanh 48, Francis 64; Đ.N: Honest Amaobi 4, 27)

* HL.BĐ 2-1 Đồng Tháp (Khoa Thanh 17, Văn Dũng 36; ĐT: Duy Quang 41)

* HAGL 1-1 GÐT (Kiatisuk Senamuang 86; Minh Phương10)

Vòng 8

Ngày 2/4

* Hải Phòng 0-1 HL.BĐ (Manit 85)

* LG.HN.ACB 0-4 HAGL (Minh Ninh 17, Tawan 27, 39, Dusit 75)

Ngày 3/4

* GÐT 2-0 Hòa Phát HN (Carlos H. Rodrigues 54, Antonio C. Rodrigues 89)

* Đồng Tháp 0-1 SĐ.NĐ (Hoàng Ngọc Linh 51)

* Bình Dương 3-0 Đà Nẵng (Nguyên Văn Linh 32, Kesley Alves 61, 90)

* Thép MN.CSG 0-3 SLNA (Ngọc Tú 41, Thanh Thưởng 81, Công Vinh 83)

Vòng 9 (ngày 10/4)

* GÐT 2-1 SĐ.NĐ (GĐT: Carlos 43, 90pen; Ngọc Linh 26)

* Đồng Tháp 2-1 Hòa Phát HN (Gnatenko 8, Văn Nghĩa 37; Quang Truóng 58)

* Hải Phòng 1-0 HAGL (Julien 62pen)

* LG.HN.ACB 1-0 HL.BĐ (Damian 55)

* Bình Dương 3-1 SLNA (Kesley 14, 58, Philani 35; Công Minh 90)

* Thép MN.CSG 0-1 Đà Nẵng (Giang Thành Thông 27)

Vòng 10

Ngày 16/4

* Hòa Phát HN 2-0 HL.BĐ
(Dos Santos 12, Da Silva 81)

* SĐ.NĐ 2-0 HAGL (Ðức Dương 13, Tkachenko 35)

Ngày 17/4

* SLNA 2-0 GÐT (Công Vinh 3, Quốc Vượng 17)

* Đà Nẵng 1-0 Đồng Tháp (Achilefu 61)

* Bình Dương 4-3 Hải Phòng (Kesley 10, 55, 63, Philani 34; Jimmy 45, 89, Abdala 59)

* Thép MN.CSG 0-1 LG.HN.ACB (Luis 57)

Vòng 11 (ngày 24/4)

* HL.BĐ 1-0 SĐ.NĐ (Minh Mính 40)

* HAGL 2-0 Hòa Phát HN (Mauro Santos 74og, Hải Lâm 78)

* GÐT 1-0 Đà Nẵng (Santos 41)

* Đồng Tháp 1-0 SLNA (Duy Quang 30)

* LG.HN.ACB 1-2 Bình Dương (Mauricio 67; Kesley 3, 65pen)

* Hải Phòng 3-2 Thép MN.CSG (Abdalla 39, Truòng Giang 90, Francis 92; Văn Lợi 42, Cao Tùng A Vỹ 73)

Vòng 12

Ngày 7/5

* HAGL 0-0 HL.BĐ

Ngày 8/5

* SĐ.NĐ 1-1 Hòa Phát HN (Sedlak 84; Francisco 88)

* LG.HN.ACB 1-1 Hải Phòng (Damian 18; Julien 42)

* Đà Nẵng 0-0 SLNA

* Đồng Tháp 0-3 GÐT (Viêt Cường 28og, Antonio Rodrigues 78, Nguyễn Nhân 92)

* Thép MN.CSG 1-1 Bình Dương

(Văn Lợi 46; Kesley 43)

Vòng 13

Ngày 15/5

* SLNA 0-0 HAGL

* Hải Phòng 1-1 SĐ.NĐ (Jimmy 70; Jakus 75)

* Hòa Phát HN 2-0 LG.HN.ACB (Da Silva 63, 85)

* HL.BĐ 1-1 Đà Nẵng (Sarayoot 13; Nirut 32og)

* Bình Dương 4-1 Đồng Tháp (Kesley 15, 70, Nguyên Quang 34, Ðinh Cuòng 72; Pipat 92)

* GÐT 4-1 Thép MN.CSG (Carlos Rodrigues 56, 63, 70, Minh Phuong 80; Diachenko 82)

Vòng 14

Ngày 21/5

* SLNA 2-2 HL.BĐ (Jabulani 46, Omondi 75; Tân Thât 73, Manit 80)

* Đà Nẵng 3-0 HAGL (Achilefu 7, 9, 37)

Ngày 22/5

* LG.HN.ACB 1-1 SĐ.NĐ (Văn Minh 56; Văn Sỹ 70)

* Hải Phòng 0-0 Hòa Phát HN

* Đồng Tháp 1-1 Thép MN.CSG (Victor 48; Michel 41)

* Bình Dương 1-2 GÐT (Kesley 90; Van Tâm 29, Carlos 78)

Vòng 15 (Ngày 15/6)

* GÐT 3-1 Hải Phòng (Fungai Tostao Kwashi 14, 74, Tài Em 91; Julien 92)

* Đồng Tháp 1-0 LG.HN.ACB (Thanh Bình 45)

* Hòa Phát HN 1-2 SLNA (Da Silva 68; James Omondi 56, Nhu Thuât 74)

* SĐ.NĐ 0-3 Đà Nẵng (Amaobi 40, Quoc Anh 45, 63)

* Bình Dương 1-0 HL.BĐ (Kesley 75)

* Thép MN.CSG 3-2 HAGL (Minh Chuyên 16, 57, Cao Tùng A Vỹ 34; Ðình Viêt 53, Dusit 71)

Vòng 16 (ngày 19/6)

* Thép MN.CSG 0-0 HL.BĐ

* HAGL 3-2 Bình Dương (Ngọc Cảnh 8, Kiatisuk 55, Van Ðàn 70; Trung Vĩnh 32, Kesley 61)

* Hải Phòng 2-2 Đồng Tháp (Abdalla 78, Francis 86; Thanh Bình 39, Văn Nghĩa 84)

* GÐT 5-0 LG.HN.ACB (C.Rodriguez 3, Minh Phuong 27, A.Rodriguez 29, Fungai Tostao Kwashi 80, F.Santos 84)

* SLNA 1-0 SĐ.NĐ (Quốc Vượng 50)

* Hòa Phát HN 2-3 Đà Nẵng (Hồng Việt 50, Công Mạnh 60; Helio da Silva 39, Mạnh Dũng 45, Hồng Minh 83)

Vòng 17 (ngày 26/6)

* HAGL 3-0 Đồng Tháp (Ðình Viêt 30, 61, Van Kiêt 74)

* Bình Dương 0-1 Hòa Phát HN (Xuân Thành 21)

* SĐ.NĐ 2-1 Thép MN.CSG (Tkachenko 19, Alfredo 41; Diachenko 70)

* Hải Phò

Bảng xếp hạng chung cuộc

TT Đội Trận Thắng Hoà Thua Bàn thắng Bàn thua Điểm

1 GĐT.LA 22 12 6 4 43 25 42

2 Đà Nẵng 22 10 8 4 33 19 38

3 Bình Dương 22 11 5 6 40 32 38

4 HA.GL 22 9 5 8 30 24 32

5 SLNA 22 8 7 7 33 28 31

6 Nam Định 22 7 7 8 27 31 28

7 Hải Phòng 22 6 9 7 31 34 27

8 TMN.CSG 22 6 9 7 25 29 27

9 Hoà Phát HN 22 6 7 9 24 29 25

10 Bình Định 22 5 10 7 17 21 25

11 ACB 22 5 9 8 18 27 24

12 Đồng Tháp 22 3 6 13 18 40 15

DANH SÁCH GHI BÀN

21 KESLEY (7-BD)
13 Carlos Rodriguez (16-GĐT.LA)
11 Das Silva (10-HP.HN)
10 Amaobi (9-ĐN)
9 Ngọc Linh (11-SĐ.NĐ)
8 Julien (22-M.HP)
7 Achilefu (24-ĐN), Công Vinh (9-P.SLNA), Kiatisak (13-HA.GL)
6 Minh Phương (7-GĐT), Philani (10-BD), Mauricio Luis (19-ACB), James Omondi (1-P.SLNA), A Vĩ (23-TMN CSG), Tostao (29-GĐT), Văn lợi (14-TMN CSG)
5 Antonio (19-GĐT), Tkachenko (20-SĐ.NĐ), Sarayoot (26-BĐ), Dusit (17-HA.GL), Văn Quyến (10-P.SLNA), Vimon (11-HA.GL), Francis (23-M.HP), Alfredo (24-SĐ.NĐ)
4 Diachenko (19-TMN CSG), Damian (26-LG.HN.ACB), Mulisa (19-M.HP), Thanh Bình (10-D.ĐT), Abdalla (18-M.HP), Dos Santos (22-HP.HN)
3 Santos (1-GĐT), Tài Em (10-GĐT), Đình Việt (3-HA.GL), Trung Kiên (6-SĐ.NĐ), Công Mạnh (19-HP.HN), Duy Quang (6-D.ĐT), Văn Nghĩa (19-D.ĐT), Thành Thông (11-ĐN), Quốc Anh (20-ĐN), Minh Chuyên (3-TMN CSG), Abbey (4-BD), Trung Vĩnh (12-BD)
2 Tshamala (11-GĐT), Văn Thành (20-M.HP), Thế Phong (9-M.HP), Ngọc Thanh (16-M.HP),Đức Cường (10-M.HP), Trường Giang (7-M.HP), Thanh Sơn (6-ACB), Rogerio Correira (7-HP HN), Minh Ninh (12-HA GL), Tawan Sripan (10-HA.GL), Jabulani (23-P.SLNA), Alphonse (17-P.SLNA), Manit (11-HL.BĐ), De Souza (27-TMN CSG), Mạnh Dũng (15-ĐN), Pipat (27-D.ĐT), Ngọc Thành (D.ĐT), Tân Thịnh (18-P.SLNA), Văn Tâm (21-HL.BĐ), Khoa Thanh (12-HL.BĐ), Minh Hải (16-HA.GL)
1 Văn Tâm (17-GĐT), Nguyên Nhân (2-GĐT), Fonseca (27), Sydorenko (9-D.ĐT), Ganatenko (23-D.ĐT), Victor Carvalho (28-D.ĐT), Antem Iashrin (29-D.ĐT)Lê Anh (13-HL.BĐ), Hoàng Lâm (17-HL.BĐ), Khoa Thanh (12-HL.BĐ), Văn Dũng (3-HL.BĐ), Minh Mính (9-HL.BĐ), Tấn Thật (28-HL.BĐ), Văn Hiển (8-HL.BĐ), Đình Phước (5-BD), Văn Linh (26-BD), Nguyên Quang (20-BD), Đinh Cường (22-BD), Trường Giang (8-BD), Roger Rio (23-BD), Văn Đàn (9-HA.GL), Ngọc Cảnh (22-HA.GL), Văn Kiệt (21-HA.GL), Minh Đức (19-ĐN), Helio D.Silva (29-Đ.N), Hồng Minh (17-ĐN), Phước Vĩnh (6-ĐN), Quang Tuấn (18-ĐN), Rogerio (16-ĐN), Huỳnh Đức (10-ĐN), Ngọc Tú (4-P.SLNA), Thanh Thưởng (12-P.SLNA), Như Thuật (8-P.SLNA, Hải Nam (20-ACB), Văn Minh (17-ACB), Phúc Lâm (9-ACB), Balenko (8-TMN CSG), Hữu Đức (21-TMN CSG), Chí Thắng (18-TMN CSG), Thanh Phong (12-TMN CSG), Nguyên Chương (20-TMN CSG), Huỳnh Điệp (9-HP.HN), Quang Trường (11-HP.HN), Roberto Dos Santos (27-HP.HN), Hồng Việt (18-HN.HN), Xuân Thành (16-HP.HN), Đức Dương (19-SĐ.NĐ), Pelr Sedlak (27-SĐ.NĐ), Văn Sỹ (10-SĐ.NĐ), Tomas Jakus (30-SĐ.NĐ)
Phản lưới Đình Phước (5-BD), Văn Pho (14-D.ĐT), Việt Cường (2-D.ĐT), Mauro Dos Santos (3-HP.HN), Nirut (7-HL.BĐ), Thanh Tùng (3-SĐ.NĐ), Quốc Khánh (14-ACB), Balenko (8-TMN CSG)

Theo Thể Thao VietNamNet

Giải Vô Địch Quốc Gia 2004 (V-League Lần 4)

2007-10-01T09:17:00.000+07:00

HA.GL đã bảo vệ được chức vô địch trong sự đeo bám đến cùng của SĐ.NĐ. Hai đội bóng giàu truyền thống là Thể Công và Ngân hàng Đông Á xếp cuối bảng (11 và 12) phải xuống hạng.

Vòng 1 (ngày 4-1):

Sân Hàng Đẫy: LG.HN.ACB - Hải Phòng: 1-0 (Achilefu 82')

Sân Thiên Trường: Nam Định - Thể Công: 2-1 (NĐ: Trung Kiên 18', Amaobi 38'; TC: Bảo Khanh 81')

Sân Chi Lăng: Đà Nẵng - SLNA: 0-0

Sân Thống Nhất: NHĐA.Thép Pomina - Bình Dương: 0-0

Sân Pleiku: HAGL - Bình Định: 4-0 (Minh Hải 42', 60'; Quang Trường: 55', Kiatisak: 61')

Sân Long An: GĐT.LA - Đồng Tháp: 2-1 (GĐT.LA: Thanh Xuân 28', Carlos 29'; ĐT: Bá Hồng: 68')

Vòng 2 (ngày 11-1)

Sân Vinh: SLNA - NHĐA.Thép Pomina: 1-0 (Văn Quyến (10): 47’)

Sân Gò Đậu: Bình Dương - Đà Nẵng: 1-1 (Bình Dương: Park Sung Kwang (3) 43’

Đà Nẵng: Nuro Amiro (8) 9’)

Sân Quy Nhơn: Bình Định - GĐT.LA: 4-1 (BĐ: Phi Hùng (11) 18’, 80’, Thành Lợi (22) 59’, Văn Tâm (21) 88’. GĐT.LA: Văn Tâm (17) 2’)

Sân Lạch Tray: Hải Phòng - Nam Định: 1-4 (HP: Đức Cường (10) 94’

SĐNĐ: Amobi Honest (23) 23’, 56’, Trung Kiên (6) 49’, Nikolai Ikachenko (18) 63’)

Sân Lãnh: Đồng Tháp - HA.GL: 0-2 (Minh Hải (16) 49’, 90’)

Sân Hàng Đẫy: Thể Công - LG.HN.ACB: 0-3 (Achilefu (24) 14’, 45+2’, Thanh Sơn (6) 79’)

Vòng 3 (ngày 18-1)

Sân Pleiku: HA.GL - GĐT.LA: 2-1 (HA.GL: Kiatisak (13): 62', Minh Hải (16): 76; GĐT.LA: R.Martin (11): 77')

Sân Hàng Đẫy: LG.HN.ACB - Nam Định: 3-1 (LG.HN.ACB: Lê Anh Dũng (15): 21', Achilefu (24): 45'+1, 80'; Nam Định: Trung Kiên (6): 70')

Sân Lạch Tray: Hải Phòng - Thể Công: 3-1 (Hải Phòng: Ngọc Quang (8): 12', Thế Phong (9): 46', Đức Cường (10): 60'; Thể Công: Đức Thắng (4): 88')

Sân Cao Lãnh: Đồng Tháp - Bình Định: 1-2 (Bình Định: Minh Mính (9): 18', Issawa (4): 60'; Đồng Tháp: Thanh Bình (13): 78' )

Sân Vinh: SLNA - Bình Dương: 1-1 (Bình Dương: Huỳnh Điệp: 66'; SLNA: Văn Quyến (10): 88')

Sân Thống Nhất: NHĐA.Thép Pomina - Đà Nẵng: 2-1 (NHĐA.Thép Pomina: Chaiman: 36' (11m), Pitipong (10): 71'; Đà Nẵng: N. Amiro (8): 84' )

Vòng 4 (ngày 8-2)

Sân Vinh: SLNA - Đồng Tháp: 3-1 (SLNA: Thanh Thưởng (12): 35'; Julien (20): 52', Công Vinh (11): 78'. Đồng Tháp: Văn Ngân (8): 84')

Sân Thủ Dầu Một: Bình Dương - Hải Phòng: 2-0 (Huỳnh Điệp (16): 58'; Văn Dũ (2): 77')

Sân Thống Nhất: NHĐA.Thép Pomina - LG.HN.ACB: 2-1 (NHĐA.Thép Pomina: Niweat Siriwong (16): 36'; Ngọc Thanh (20): 77' LG.HN.ACB: Mauricio Luis (19): 6')

Sân Chi Lăng: Đà Nẵng - GĐT.LA: 5-2 (Đà Nẵng: Thành Thông (11): 19', Rogerio (16): 31', Hồng Minh (20): 36'; Quốc Anh (3): 65'; Văn Hùng (9): 84'. GĐT.LA: Tài Em (10): 76'; Santos (1): 81' )

Sân Pleiku (Đấu sớm, ngày 6/2): HA.GL - SĐ.NĐ: 6-1 (HA.GL: Kiatisak (13): 10', Quang Trường (11): 16'; Minh Hải (16): 26', 43; Hải Lâm: 35'; Minh Ninh (12'): 87' . SĐ.NĐ: Amaobi (23): 5')

Sân Hàng Đẫy (Đấu sớm, ngày 6/2): Thể Công - Bình Định: 0-0

Vòng 5 (ngày 15-2)

Sân Quy Nhơn: Bình Định - SĐ.NĐ: 1-2 (Bình Định: Xuân Hùng (20): 22'. Nam Định: Amaobi (23): 35'; Tkacheioko (18'): 40')

Sân Hàng Đẫy: Thể Công - HA.GL: 0-1 (Quang Trãi (5): 82' )

Sân Long An (ngày 12/2): GĐT.LA - SLNA: 0-4 (Văn Quyến (10): 41', 79'; Abbey (5): 50'; Thanh Thưởng: 59')

Sân Thủ Dầu Một (Ngày 12/2): Bình Dương - LG.HN.ACB: 2-1 (Bình Dương: Kim Dae Chun (23'): 45'; Phi Long (18): 50'; LG.HN.ACB: Mauricio (19): 51')

Sân Chi Lăng (Ngày 12/2): Đà Nẵng - Đồng Tháp: 3-2 (Đà Nẵng: Huỳnh Đức (10): 29'; Nuno (8): 59'; 83'. Đồng Tháp: Duy Quang (6): 69'; 90' penalty)

Sân Thống Nhất (Ngày 12/2): NHĐA.Thép Pomina - Hải Phòng: 1-2 (NHĐA: Pitipong (10): 20'. Hải Phòng: Andrew (23): 73'; Văn Thành (20): 89')

Vòng 6 (ngày 20 và 22-2)

Sân Pleiku (Đấu sớm, ngày 20/2): HA.GL - NHĐA Thép Pomina; 2-0 (Dusit (17): 45+; Minh Hải (16): 88')

Sân Quy Nhơn: Bình Định - Bình Dương: 0-2 (Trung Vĩnh (12): 53'; Lee Yoo Sung (21): 79')

Sân Hàng Đẫy: LG.HN.ACB - Đà Nẵng: 2-0 (Achilefu (24): 45' penalty; Sỹ Cường (21): 52')

Sân Lạch Tray: Hải Phòng - SLNA: 1-1 (SLNA: Abbey (5): 70'. Hải Phòng: Hồng Trường (12): 82')

Sân Cao Lãnh: Đồng Tháp - Thể Công: 2-0 (Duy Quang (6): 8'; Văn Ngân (8): 90')

Sân Long An: GĐT.LA - SĐ.NĐ: 1-2 (GĐT.LA: Văn Hùng (4): 25'. SĐ.NĐ: Amaobi (23):30', 40')

Vòng 7 (ngày 29-2)

Sân Hàng Đẫy: Thể Công - GĐT.LA: 0-1 (Minh Phương (17): 90+)

Sân Thiên Trường: SĐ.NĐ - Delta Đồng Tháp: 1-0 (Trung Kiên (6): 20')

Sân Vinh: SLNA - LG.HN.ACB: 3-1 (SLNA: Hồ Thanh Thưởng (12): 29'; Công Vinh (11): 45' penalty; Julien (20): 58'. LG.HN.ACB: Mauricio (19): 68')

Sân Chi Lăng: Đà Nẵng - TVU Hải Phòng: 3-1 (Đà Nẵng: Nuno (8): 43'; Huỳnh Đức (10): 65'; Rogerio (16): 78'. Hải Phòng: Xuân Quyền (2): 80' )

Sân Quy Nhơn: Bình Định - NHĐA Thép Pomina: 1-0 (Isawa (4): 25')

Sân Pleiku: HA.GL - Bình Dương: 1-0 (Dusit (17): 57')

Vòng 8 (ngày 7-3)

Sân Hàng Đẫy: LG.HN.ACB - GĐT.LA: 2-2 (LG.HN.ACB: Minh Hiếu (11): 4'; Mauricio (19): 82'. GĐT.LA: Minh Phương (17): 32'; Bảo Tâm (21): 35')

Sân Gò Đậu: Bình Dương - Thể Công: 0-1 (Quốc Trung (15): 56' penalty)

Sân Vinh: SLNA - Bình Định: 0-0

Sân Chi Lăng: Đà Nẵng - HA.GL: 0-0

Sân Thống Nhất: NHĐA Thép Pomina- Nam Định: 1-3 (Nam Định: Tkacheioko (18): 11', 19'; Trọng Lộc (8): 89'. NHĐA: Niweat (16): 32')

Sân Lạch Tray: Hải Phòng - Đồng Tháp: 1-0 (Willy (14): 37')

Vòng 9 (ngày 14-3)

Sân Vinh: SLNA- HA.GL: 1-0 (Văn Quyến (10): 2')

Sân Hàng Đẫy: LG.HN.ACB - Đồng Tháp: 0-0

Sân Lạch Tray: Hải Phòng - GĐT.LA: 1-3 (GĐT.LA: R. Martin (11): 34; Minh Phương (7) 43'; Tài Em: 75'. Hải Phòng: Henry (18): 73' )

Sân Gò Đậu: Bình Dương - SĐ.NĐ: 1-2 (Bình Dương: Văn Dũ (2): 49'. SĐ.NĐ: Amaobi (23): 33'; Văn Sỹ (10): 58')

Sân Thống Nhất, NHĐA Thép Pomina - Thể Công: 1-1 (Thể Công: Bảo Khanh (11): 14. NHĐA Thép Pomina: Hoàng Hùng (8): 81')

Sân Chi Lăng: Đà Nẵng - Bình Định: 1-1 (Bình Định: Pipat (10): 40'. Đà Nẵng: Nuno Amiro (8): 80')

Vòng 10 (ngày 21-3)

Sân Pleiku: HA.GL - LG.HN.ACB: 3-0 (Kiatisak (13): 50', 70'; Quang Trãi (5): 64')

Sân Thiên Trường: Nam Định - Đà Nẵng: 1-1 (Nam Định: Amaobi (23): 58'. Đà Nẵng: Nuno (8): 10').

Sân Cao L•nh: Delta. Đồng Tháp - NHĐA. Thép Pomina: 2-1 (Đồng Tháp: Boric (14): 70'; Công Nhậm (17): 88'. NHĐA: Tiểu Đạt (23): 68').

Sân Quy Nhơn: Bình Định - TVU.Hải Phòng: 2-1 (Bình Định: Minh Mính (9): 25', 65'. Hải Phòng: Andrew (23): 80').

Sân Long An: GĐT.LA - Bình Dương: 0-2 (Trung Vĩnh (12): 36'; Văn Dũ (2): 86')

Sân Hàng Đẫy: Thể Công - SLNA: 1-1 (Thể Công: Văn Đại (22): 68'. SLNA: Thanh Thưởng (12): 23')

Vòng 11 (ngày 25-3)

Sân Pleiku: HA.GL - TVU.HP: 2-1 (HA.GL: Dusit (17): 30' penalty; Minh Hải (16): 71'. Hải Phòng: Đặng Văn Thành (20): 42')

Sân Quy Nhơn: Bình Định - LG.HN.ACB: 1-4 (Bình Định: Pipat (10): 61' penalty. LG.HN.ACB: Anh Dũng (15): 7'; Luis (19): 27'; Achilefu (24): 35'; Thanh Sơn (6): 60')

Sân Thiên Trường: SĐ.NĐ - SLNA: 0-0

Sân Cao Lãnh: Delta Đồng Tháp - Bình Dương: 1-1 (Đồng Tháp: Thanh Tuấn (18): 22'. Bình Dương: Kim Dae Chul (23): 43')

Sân Long An: GĐT.LA - NHĐA Thép Pomina: 5-0 (Martin (11): 30'; Thanh Trúc (19): 43'; Rodrigues (16): 65'; Văn Tâm (17): 66'; Bảo Tâm (21): 82' ).

Sân Hàng Đẫy: Thể Công - Đà Nẵng: 0-0

Vòng 12 (ngày 11-4)

Sân Vinh: SLNA- Đà Nẵng: 0-0

Sân Quy Nhơn: Bình Định - HA.GL: 1-0 (Xuân Hùng (20): 14')

Sân Cao Lãnh: Delta. Đồng Tháp - GĐT.LA: 1-3 (Đồng Tháp: Sydorenko (26): 9'. GĐT.LA: Anh Tuấn (12): 12')

Sân Thủ Dầu Một: Bình Dương - NHĐA: 2-0 (Neto (10): 14'; Huỳnh Điệp (16): 58')

Sân Hàng Đẫy: Thể Công - SĐ.NĐ: 0-2 (Amaobi (23'): 48'; 86')

Sân Lạch Tray: TVU.Hải Phòng - LG.HN.ACB: 0-1 (Minh Hiếu (11): 26')

Vòng 13 (ngày 18-4)

Sân Hàng Đẫy: LG.HN.ACB - Thể Công: 2-0 (Luis (19): 70'; Thanh Sơn (6): 72')

Sân Thiên Trường: SĐ.NĐ - TVU. Hải Phòng: 2-0 (Amaobi (23): 1', 14')

Sân Thống Nhất: NHĐA - SLNA: 3-3 (NHĐA: Liêm Thanh (5): 9'; Vương Tiểu Đạt (23): 49'; 77'. SLNA: Văn Quyến (10): 56', 67'; Tân Thịnh (18): 88')

Sân Chi Lăng: Đà Nẵng - Bình Dương: 0-0

Sân Long An (Đấu sớm ngày 17/4): GĐT.LA - Bình Định: 1-0 (Anh Tuấn (12): 62')

Sân Pleiku (Đấu sớm ngày 17/4): HA.GL - D.Đồng Tháp: 3-1 (HA.GL: Kiatisak (13): 66'; Hải Lâm (19): 82'; Văn Đàn (9): 88'. Delta.Đồng Tháp: Quý Sửu (12): 47' )

Vòng 14 (ngày 25-4)

Sân Hàng Đẫy: Thể Công - TVU. Hải Phòng: 2-1 (Thể Công: Đức Mạnh (28): 7', 39'. TVU.HP: Luis (19): 36')

Sân Thiên Trường: SĐ.NĐ - LG.HN.ACB: 2-0 (Tkcheioko (18): 54', Trung Kiên (6): 64')

Sân Long An: GĐT.LA - HA.GL: 1-2 (GĐT.LA: Tài Em (10): 23'. HA.GL: Kiatisak (13): 20'; Minh Hải (16): 28').

Sân Chi Lăng: Đà Nẵng - NHĐA: 2-2 (Đà Nẵng: Hồng Minh (20): 37'; Morgan (27): 78'. NHĐA: Sakda (7): 45', 77')

Sân Thủ Dầu Một: Bình Dương- SLNA: 0-0

Sân Quy Nhơn: Bình Định - D.Đồng Tháp: 1-1 (Bình Định: Phi Hùng (11): 35' . D.Đồng Tháp: Oleksandr (26): 70' )

Vòng 15 (ngày 30-4 và 2-5)

Sân Hàng Đẫy: LG.HN.ACB - NHĐA: 1-0 (Achilefu (24) 64')

Sân Cao Lãnh: Delta.Đồng Tháp - SLNA: 1-0 (Thanh Bình (13): 20')

Sân Long An: GĐT.LA - Đà Nẵng: 1-0 (Rodrigues (16): 75')

Sân Lạch Tray: TVU. Hải Phòng - Bình Dương: 3-1 (TVU.Hải Phòng: Đặng Văn Thành (20): 18'; Khánh Hùng (6): 80'; Luis (19): 83'. Bình Dương: Neto (10): 50')

Sân Quy Nhơn (Đấu sớm, ngày 30/4): Bình Định - Thể Công: 1-0 (Minh Mính (9): 30')

Sân Thiên Trường (Đấu sớm, ngày 30/4): SĐ.NĐ - HA.GL: 2-0 (Amaobi (23): 70'; Nwachukwwu: 77').

Vòng 16 (ngày 9-5)

Sân Hàng Đẫy: LG.HN.ACB - Bình Dương: 2-1 (LG.HN.ACB: Luis (19) 65', Achilefu (24) 75. Bình Dương: Văn Dũ (2) 90').

Sân Thiên Trường: SĐ.NĐ - Bình Định: 0-0

Sân Lạch Tray: TVU.HP - Thép Pomina.NHĐA: 1-2 (TVU.HP: Alejandro (19) 40' NHĐA: Hoàng Vương(6) 23', Siriwong (16) 71')

Sân Vinh, SLNA - GĐT.LA: 3-0 (Julien (20) 60', Công Vinh (11) 85', 90+2)

Sân Pleiku: HA.GL - Thể Công: 2-0 (Kiatisak (13) 14', 90')

Sân Cao Lãnh: Delta.ĐT - Đà Nẵng: 1-0 (Anh Tuấn (18) - 35' )

Vòng 17 (ngày 14 và 16-5)

Sân Thống Nhất (Đấu sớm, ngày 14/5): NHĐA.Thép Pomina - HA.GL: 2-2 (NHĐA.Thép Pomina: Silva (10) 6', Niweat (16) 41'. HA.GL: Dusit (17) 9', Minh Hải (16) 45').

Sân Thủ Dầu Một (Đấu sớm, ngày 14/5): Bình Dương - Bình Định: 1-0 (Neto (10) 49')

Sân Chi Lăng: Đà Nẵng - LG.HN.ACB: 2-1 (ĐN: Nuno (8) 31', Huỳnh Đức (10) 38'
LG.HN.ACB: Achilefu (24) 7')

Sân Vinh: SLNA - TVU.Hải Phòng: 2-0 (Julien (20) 84', Văn Quyến (10) 90+2')

Sân Hàng Đẫy: Thể Công - Delta. Đồng Tháp: 3-1 (Thể Công: Phương Nam (10) 36', Quốc Trung (15) 70', Đức Mạnh 81' . D.ĐT: Duy Quang (6) 15')

Sân Thiên Trường: SĐ.NĐ - GĐT.LA: 0-0

Vòng 18 (ngày 23-5):

Sân Thống Nhất: NHĐA.Thép Pomina - Bình Định: 3-0 (Ngọc Thọ (19) 15', Tiểu Đạt (23) 74', Chaiman (13) 82').

Sân Long An: GĐT.LA - Thể Công: 3-1 (GĐT.LA: Rodrigues (16) 58', Văn Tâm (7) 68', Minh Phương (17) 79'. Thể Công: Việt Hoàng (7) 36')

Sân Lạch Tray: TVU.Hải Phòng - Đà Nẵng: 2-1 (TVU.HP: Đức Cường (10) 47', Willy (14) 82'. Đà Nẵng: Nuno (8) 74')

Sân Cao Lãnh: Delta.Đồng Tháp - SĐ.NĐ: 0-0

Sân Thủ Dầu Một: Bình Dương - HA.GL: 0-0

Sân Hàng Đẫy: LG.HN.ACB - SLNA: 1-0 (Sỹ Cường (21) 57')

Vòng 19 (ngày 27-5)

Sân Hàng Đẫy: Thể Công - Bình Dương: 5-3 (Thể Công: Bảo Khanh (11) 16'; Đức Mạnh (28) 38', 49', 85'; Phương Nam (10) 65'. Bình Dương: Hữu Thắng (14) 61'; 90'+1, Phi Long (18) 68'.

Sân Thiên Trường: SĐ.NĐ - NHĐA.Thép Pomina: 1-0 (Amaobi (23) 90')

Sân Quy Nhơn: Bình Định - SLNA: 4-4 ( Bình Định: Thanh Phương (15) 45', Pipat (10) 52', Ngọc Tuấn (18) 65', Văn Tâm (21) 72'. SLNA: Tân Thịnh (18) 12', Công Vinh (11) 22', Sandro (3) 35', Alphonse (17) 69')

Sân Pleiku: HA.GL - Đà Nẵng: 4-1 (HA.GL: Kiatisak (13) 11', 24', 73', Dusit (17) 88'. Đà Nẵng: Hùng Dũng (5) 80')

Sân Long An: GĐT.LA - LG.HN.ACB: 3-1 (GĐT.LA: Minh Phương (7) 30', Santos (1) 45', Rodrigues (16) 62'. LG.HN.ACB: Đức Tuấn (13) 29')

Sân Cao Lãnh: Delta.Đồng Tháp - TVU.HP: 1-0 (Yuriy (27) 28')

Vòng 20 (ngày 30-5)

Sân Hàng Đẫy: Thể Công - NHĐA.Thép Pomina: 1-1 (Thể Công: Ngọc Tuấn (14) 83'. NHĐA.Thép Pomina: Silva (10) 85')

Sân Thiên Trường, SĐ.NĐ - Bình Dương: 2-1 (SĐ.NĐ: Trọng Lộc (8) 27', Đức Dương (20) 89'. Bình Dương: Neto (10) 9').

Sân Quy Nhơn, Bình Định - Đà Nẵng: 3-2 (Bình Định: Issawa (4) 15', 86', Nirut (7) 50', Đà Nẵng: Giang Thành Thông (11) 32', Huỳnh Đức (10) 77')

Sân Pleiku, HA.GL - SLNA: 2-0 (Kiatisak (13) 55', 67')

Sân Long An, GĐT.LA - TVU.HP: 5-1 (GĐT.LA: Minh Phương (7) 10', 66', Idahor (29) 31', 58', Tài Em (10) 50'. TVU.HP: Miranda (19) 35')

Sân Cao Lãnh, Delta.Đồng Tháp - LG.HN.ACB: 2-0 (D.ĐT: Duy Quang (6) 48', Quốc Khánh (11) 65')

Vòng 21 (13-6)

Sân Hàng Đẫy, LG.HN.ACB - HA.GL: 2-2 (LG.HN.ACB: Luis (19) 15', 70'. HA.GL: Minh Hải (16) 8', 43').

Sân Lạch Tray, TVU.HP - Bình Định: 1-0 (Andrew (23) 75')

Sân Chi Lăng, Đà Nẵng - SĐ.NĐ: 3-0 (Nuno (8) 17', Huỳnh Đức (10) 75', 78')

Sân Vinh, SLNA - Thể Công: 8-1 (SLNA: Văn Quyến (10) 5', 17', 86', Julien (20) 22', 40', Công Vinh (11) 35', 90'+2, Abbey (5) 55'. Thể Công: Thạch Bảo Khanh (11) 58').

Sân Thủ Dầu Một, Bình Dương - GĐT.LA: 0-2 (Hoàng Thương (20) 16', Minh Phương (7) 90').

Sân Thống Nhất, NHĐA - Delta.Đồng Tháp: 0-2 (Văn Ngân (8) 30', Quốc Khánh (11) 51').

Vòng 22 (20-6)

Sân Lạch Tray, TVU-HP - HA.GL: 1-0 (Văn Thành (20) 48')

Sân Hàng Đẫy, LG.HN.ACB - Bình Định: 1-0 (Achilefu (24) 87')

Sân Vinh, SLNA - SĐ.NĐ: 3-0 (Công Vinh (11) 38', 87', Văn Quyến (10) 75')

Sân Chi Lăng, Đà Nẵng - Thể Công: 1-2 (Đà Nẵng: Rogerio (16) 56'. Thể Công: Phan Văn Đại (22) 15', Phương Nam (10) 23')

Sân Thống Nhất, NHĐA - GĐT.LA: 1-4 (NHĐA: Liêm Thanh 22'. GĐT.LA: Minh Phương (7) 22', Ngọc Quang (9) 70', Tài Em (10) 74', Barbosa (28) 84')

Sân Thủ Dầu Một, Bình Dương - Delta.Đồng Tháp: 3-2 (Bình Dương: Neto (10) 22', 47', Huỳnh Điệp (16) 23'. D.ĐT: Văn Ngân (8) 45', Sydorenko (26) 59').

Bảng xếp hạng V-League 2004

Hạng Đội Thắng Hoà Thua Điểm Hiệu số
1 HA.GL 14 4 4 46 42/13
2 Nam Định 13 5 4 44 30/23
3 GĐT.LA 12 2 8 38 41/33
4 SLNA 9 10 3 37 38/17
5 ACB 11 3 8 36 30/26
6 Bình Dương 7 7 8 28 24/24
7 Bình Định 7 6 9 27 22/30
8 Đồng Tháp 7 4 11 25 23/29
9 Đà Nẵng 5 9 8 24 27/28
10 Hải Phòng 7 1 14 22 22/37
11 Thể Công 5 5 12 20 20/39
12 NHĐA.TP 4 6 12 18 22-38

Các số liệu tổng hợp

Tổng số bàn thắng: 167 bàn - Trung bình 2,53 bàn/trận.

Cầu thủ ghi bàn:

- 15 bàn: Amaobi (23, NĐ)
- 14 bàn: Kiatisak (13, HA.GL)
- 13 bàn: Minh Hải (16, HAGL).
- 11 bàn: Achilefu (24, LG.ACB), Văn Quyến (10, SLNA), Công Vinh (9, SLNA)
- 10 bàn: Nuro Amiro (8, ĐN);
- 9 bàn: Mauricio (19, LG.ACB), Minh Phương (7, GĐT.LA)

Tổng số thẻ vàng: 244 - trung bình 3, 69 thẻ/trận
Tổng số thẻ đỏ: 14 - trung bình 0,21 thẻ/trận.
Cầu thủ xuất sắc nhất giải: Kiatisuk (Hoàng Anh Gia Lai).
HLV xuất sắc nhất giải: Nguyễn Ngọc Hảo (Sông Đà Nam Định)
Thủ môn xuất sắc nhất giải: Bùi Quang Huy (Sông Đà Nam Định)
Cầu thủ trẻ xuất sắc nhất giải: Phan Văn Tài Em (Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An).

Theo Thể Thao Việt Nam Net

Giải Vô Địch Quốc Gia 2003 (V-League Lần 3)

2007-10-01T09:15:00.000+07:00

Giải gồm 12 đội thi đấu vòng tròn 2 lượt theo thể thức sân nhà - sân đối phương để xác định thứ hạng. Ba đội đứng đầu giành Chức vô địch, HCB và HCĐ. Hai đội đứng cuối xuống hạng Nhất mùa sau. Giải tiến hành từ ngày 19-1 đến 22-6-2003.

Vòng 1 [19-1]:
Hàng không Việt Nam 1-0 LG.ACB
Nam Định 1-0 Thể Công
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 2-1 SLNA
Đà Nẵng 1-0 Bình Định
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-2 Ngân hàng Đông á
Đồng Tháp 0-2 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An

Vòng 2 [25-1]:
LG-ACB 0-0 Nam Định
Thể Công 1-0 Hàng không Việt Nam
SLNA 1-0 Đà Nẵng
[26-1]: Bình Định 1-1 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
Ngân hàng Đông á 2-1 Đồng Tháp
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 0-0 Cang Sài Gòn

Vòng 3 (15-2)
Hàng không Việt Nam2-2 Nam Định
Thể Công 4-1 ACB
SLNA 1-0 Bình Định
[16-2]: Đà Nẵng 1-2 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
Ngân hàng Đông á 1-0 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An
Đồng Tháp 0-0 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 4 [21-2]
Bình Định 4-0 Thể Công
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 3-0 Hàng Không Việt Nam
LG-ACB 1-2 Ngân hàng Đông á
[22-2]: Nam Định 0-1 Đồng Tháp
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 0-0 SLNA
Cảng Sài Gòn 4-2 Đà Nẵng

Vòng 5 [25-2]
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 1-0 Thể Công
[26-2]: Bình Định 1-2 Hàng không Việt Nam
LG-ACB 2-2 Đồng Tháp
Nam Định 1-0 Ngân hàng Đông á
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 2-0 Đà Nẵng
Cảng Sài Gòn 0-4 SLNA

Vòng 6 [1-3]:
Thể Công 0-1 Ngân hàng Đông á
Hàng không Việt Nam0-0 Đồng Tháp
SLNA 3-1 LG-ACB
[2-3]: Đà Nẵng 1-0 Nam Định
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 3-0 Bình Định
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai

Vòng 7 [9-3]
Đồng Tháp 1-1 Thể Công
Ngân hàng Đông á 1-2 Hàng không Việt Nam
LG-ACB 1-1 Đà Nẵng
Nam Định 1-0 SLNA
Bình Định 2-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 0-1 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An

Vòng 8 [16-3]
Đà Nẵng 1-0 Hàng không Việt Nam
Ngân hàng Đông á 0-0 Bình Định
Đồng Tháp 2-3 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
SLNA 3-0 Thể Công
LG ACB 0-1 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An
Nam Định 0-0 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 9 [23-3]
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 Thể Công
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 1-1 Hàng không Việt Nam
Nam Định 1-0 Bình Định
LG-ACB 3-2 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
Đà Nẵng 2-0 Ngân hàng Đông á
SLNA 2-0 Đồng Tháp

Vòng 10 [29-3]
Hàng không Việt Nam0-2 SLNA
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 3-3 Ngân hàng Đông á
Bình Định 0-2 Đồng Tháp
[30-3]: Thể Công 3-1 Đà Nẵng
Cảng Sài Gòn 3-2 ACB
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 4-0 Nam Định

Vòng 11 [5-4]
Thể Công 2-0 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An
[6-4]: Hàng không Việt Nam3-2 Cảng Sài Gòn
Bình Định 2-1 LG-ACB
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 2-1 Nam Định
Ngân hàng Đông á 2-0 SLNA
Đồng Tháp 1-0 Đà Nẵng

Vòng 12 [19-4]
LG-ACB 0-0 Hàng không Việt Nam
[20-4]: Thể Công 0-0 Nam Định
SLNA 0-0 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
Bình Định 2-0 Đà Nẵng
Ngân hàng Đông á 0-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 2-0 Đồng Tháp

Vòng 13 [27-4]
Hàng không Việt Nam0-2 Thể Công
Nam Định 2-0 LG-ACB
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 3-3 Bình Định
Đồng Tháp 2-1 Ngân hàng Đông á
Cảng Sài Gòn 3-3 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An
Đà Nẵng 1-0 SLNA

Vòng 14 [4-5]
Nam Định 1-0 Hàng không Việt Nam
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 1-1 Ngân hàng Đông á
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 2-0 Đà Nẵng
Bình Định 1-0 SLNA
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-3 Đồng Tháp
LG-ACB 0-3 Thể Công

Vòng 15 (9-5]
Thể Công 2-0 Bình Định
[10-5]: Ngân hàng Đông á 3-3 LG-ACB
Hàng không Việt Nam1-2 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
Đồng Tháp 2-1 Nam Định
SLNA 1-3 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An
Đà Nẵng 4-1 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 16 [13-5]
Hàng không Việt Nam0-1 Bình Định
[14-5]: Thể Công 1-2 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
Đồng Tháp 2-1 ACB
Ngân hàng Đông á 1-1 Nam Định
Đà Nẵng 0-0 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An
SLNA 0-0 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 17 [18-5]:
Ngân hàng Đông á 0-1 Thể Công
Đồng Tháp 0-1 Hàng không Việt Nam
LG-ACB 0-3 SLNA
Nam Định 2-0 Đà Nẵng
Bình Định 0-0 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 2-1 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 18 [24-5]
Thể Công 2-2 Đồng Tháp
[25-5]: Hàng không Việt Nam2-1 Ngân hàng Đông á
Đà Nẵng 4-1 LG-ACB
SLNA 1-1 Nam Định
Cảng Sài Gòn 0-2 Bình Định
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 1-3 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai

Vòng19 [31-5]
Hàng không Việt Nam3-1 Đà Nẵng
[1-6]: Thể Công 2-1 SLNA
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-3 Nam Định
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 2-1 LG-ACB
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 2-2 Đồng Tháp
Bình Định 1-1 Ngân hàng Đông á

Vòng 20 [7-6]
Thể Công 0-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
[8-6]: Hàng không Việt Nam1-2 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An
Bình Định 1-0 Nam Định
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 3-0 LG-ACB
Ngân hàng Đông á 1-0 Đà Nẵng
Đồng Tháp 2-0 SLNA

Vòng 21 [15-6]
Đà Nẵng 1-1 Thể Công
Đồng Tháp 1-2 Bình Định
SLNA 0-0 Hàng không Việt Nam
Ngân hàng Đông á 0-0 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
LG-ACB 3-2 Cảng Sài Gòn
Nam Định 1-0 Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An

Vòng 22 [22-6]
Gạch Đồng Tâm Long An 6-2 Thể Công
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-4 Hàng không Việt Nam
LG-ACB 1-4 Bình Định
Nam Định 3-2 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
SLNA 2-0 Ngân hàng Đông á
Đà Nẵng 3-2 Đồng Tháp

Xếp hạng chung cuộc:
1.Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 12 7 3 41-26 43
2.Gạch ĐT Long An 11 7 4 34-17 40
3.Nam Định 10 6 6 22-19 36
4.Bình Định 10 5 7 27-21 35
5.Sông Lam Nghệ An 9 5 8 25-16 32
6.Thể Công 9 5 8 28-27 32 (*)
7.Đồng Tháp 8 6 8 28-28 30
8. Hàng không VN 8 5 9 23-25 29
9. Ngân hàng Đông á 7 7 8 22-24 28
10.Đà Nẵng 8 3 11 24-29 27
11.Cảng Sài Gòn 4 7 11 26-41 19
12.LG-ACB 2 5 15 22-49 11

(*) Thể Công bị Ban Tổ chức giải trừ 3 điểm vì thi đấu yếu kém, thiếu tích cực và gây bất bình trong trận thua Cảng Sài Gòn 0-1 ngay trên sân Hàng Đẫy ở vòng thứ20.

Vua phá lưới: Achilefu (Nam Định) - 11 bàn

Theo VFF/Thể Thao Việt Nam Net

Giải Vô Địch Quốc Gia 2001/2002 (V-League Lần 2)

2007-10-01T09:13:00.000+07:00

Giải gồm 10 đội thi đấu vòng tròn 2 lượt theo thể thức sân nhà - sân đối phương để xác định thứ hạng. Ba đội đứng đầu giành Chức vô địch, HCB và HCĐ. Đội đứng cuối xuống hạng Nhất mùa sau và đội đứng thứ 9 sẽ thi đấu play-off với đội thứ 9 của giải hạng Nhất để xác định suất thứ 12 của giải chuyên nghiệp mùa sau. Giải tiến hành từ ngày 2-12-2001 đến 23-5-2002.

Vòng 1 [2-12]
Công an Hà Nội 3-1 Công an Hải Phòng
Bình Định 1-0 Nam Định
Cng Sài Gòn 2-0 Công an TPHCM
TT-Huế 1-0 Đà Nẵng
SLNA 2-1 Thể Công

Vòng 2 [8-12]
Nam Định 0-0 Công an Hà Nội
Công an Hải Phòng 0-2 SLNA
CôNG AN TPHCM 1-0 Bình Định
Đà Nẵng 0-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Thể Công 3-1 TT-Huế

Vòng 3 [12-12]
Công an Hà Nội 2-1 CôNG AN TPHCM
Công an Hải Phòng 1-1 Nam Định
Đà Nẵng 1-1 Bình Định
Cảng Sài Gòn 0-0 Thể Công
SLNA 2-1 TT-Huế

Vòng 4 [16-12]
Bình Định 2-0 Thể Công
TT-Huế 1-2 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công an Hà Nội 0-1 Đà Nẵng
CôNG AN TPHCM 3-1 Công an Hải Phòng
Nam Định 1-1 SLNA

Vòng 5 [23-12]
Thể Công 0-0 Công an Hà Nội
Công an Hải Phòng 1-1 Đà Nẵng
CôNG AN TPHCM 3-1 Nam Định
Bình Định 2-1 TT-Huế
SLNA 2-0 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 6 [29-12]
TT-Huế 2-1 Công an Hà Nội
Thể Công 0-0 Công an Hải Phòng
Nam Định 2-1 Đà Nẵng
SLNA 0-1 CôNG AN TPHCM
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-1 Bình Định

Vòng 7 [2-1]
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-0 Công an Hà Nội
TT-Huế 2-1 Công an Hải Phòng
Thể Công 2-3 Nam Định
Đà Nẵng 2-1 CôNG AN TPHCM
SLNA 2-0 Bình Định

Vòng 8 [6-1]
Công an Hà Nội 3-0 Bình Định
Công an Hải Phòng 2-0 Cảng Sài Gòn
Nam Định 2-0 TT-Huế
CôNG AN TPHCM 1-2 Thể Công
Đà Nẵng 1-0 SLNA

Vòng 9 [11-1]
Công an Hà Nội 2-2 SLNA
[13-1]: Bình Định 1-0 Công an Hải Phòng
Nam Định 2-0 Cảng Sài Gòn
CôNG AN TPHCM 3-2 TT-Huế
Thể Công 1-0 Đà Nẵng

Vòng 10 [20-1]
Công an Hải Phòng 3-0 Công an Hà Nội
Nam Định 0-0 Bình Định
CôNG AN TPHCM 0-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Đà Nẵng 2-0 TT-Huế
Thể Công 1-1 SLNA

Vòng 11 [27-1]
Công an Hà Nội 2-1 Nam Định
SLNA 4-1 Công an Hải Phòng
Bình Định 0-0 CôNG AN TPHCM
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 Đà Nẵng
TT-Huế 1-0 Thể Công

Vòng 12 [31-3]
CôNG AN TPHCM 3-3 Công an Hà Nội
Nam Định 2-2 Công an Hải Phòng
Bình Định 0-0 Đà Nẵng
Thể Công 0-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
TT-Huế 1-0 SLNA

Vòng 13 [7-4]
Thể Công 1-0 Bình Định
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 TT-Huế
Đà Nẵng 0-0 Công an Hà Nội
Công an Hải Phòng 2-1 CôNG AN TPHCM
SLNA 0-1 Nam Định

Vòng 14 [14-4]
Công an Hà Nội 0-1 Thể Công
Đà Nẵng 1-0 Công an Hải Phòng
Nam Định 0-0 CôNG AN TPHCM
TT-Huế 0-0 Bình Định
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 SLNA

Vòng 15 [21-4]
Công an Hà Nội 2-0 TT-Huế
Công an Hải Phòng 0-2 Thể Công
Đà Nẵng 2-2 Nam Định
CôNG AN TPHCM 3-0 SLNA
Bình Định 2-0 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 16 [28-4]
Công an Hà Nội 1-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công an Hải Phòng 2-1 TT-Huế
Nam Định 1-0 Thể Công
CôNG AN TPHCM 2-0 Đà Nẵng
Bình Định 1-0 SLNA

Vòng 17 [5-5]
Bình Định 2-0 Công an Hà Nội
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-1 Công an Hải Phòng
TT-Huế 2-1 Nam Định
Thể Công 2-2 CôNG AN TPHCM
SLNA 1-0 Đà Nẵng

Vòng 18 [12-5]
SLNA 2-0 Công an Hà Nội
Công an Hải Phòng 1-0 Bình Định
Cảng Sài Gòn 3-1 Nam Định
TT-Huế 0-0 CôNG AN TPHCM
Đà Nẵng 1-0 Thể Công

Bảng xếp hạng chung cuộc

1.Cảng Sài Gòn 9 5 4 20-16 32
2.SL Nghệ An 8 4 6 22-16 28
3.NHĐA 7 5 6 25-20 26 [*]
4.Bình Định 7 5 6 13-12 26
5.Nam Định 6 7 5 21-20 25
6.Đà Nẵng 6 6 6 14-14 24
7.Thể Công 6 5 7 16-16 23
8.CAHN 5 6 7 19-22 21
9. TT-Huế 6 3 9 17-24 21 *
10.CA Hải Phòng 5 4 9 19-26 19

[*] Vào đầu năm 2002 bóng đội CATPHCM bị giải thể và chuyển giao lực lượng cho đơn vị chủ quản mới là Ngân hàng Đông á.

* Thi đấu Paly-off tranh suất chơi chuyên nghiệp (23-5)LG.ACB 1-0 TT-Huế

Vua phá lưới: Hồ Văn Lợi (Cảng Sài Gòn) 9 bàn

Theo VFF/Thể Thao Việt Nam Net

Giải Vô Địch Quốc Gia 2000/2001 (V-League Lần 1)

2007-10-01T09:11:00.000+07:00

Giải gồm 10 đội thi đấu vòng tròn 2 lượt theo thể thức sân nhà - sân đối phương để xác định thứ hạng. Ba đội đứng đầu giành Chức vô địch, HCB và HCĐ. 2 Đội đứng cuối xuống hạng Nhất mùa sau. Giải tiến hành từ ngày 3-12-2000 đến 27-5-2002.

Vòng 1
Công an Hà Nội 2-0 Công an Hải Phòng
Đồng Tháp 2-3 Nam Định
SLNA 3-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công an TPHCM 1-0 TT-Huế
Khánh Hòa 0-1 Thể Công

Vòng 2
Công an Hải Phòng 3-2 Khánh Hòa
Công an TPHCM 1-1 Công an Hà Nội
Đồng Tháp 2-1 SLNA
Thể Công 1-0 Nam Định
TT-Huế 0-0 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 3
Công an Hải Phòng 2-0 Công an TPHCM
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 Công an Hà Nội
Thể Công 1-1 SLNA
Nam Định 3-1 Khánh Hòa
TT-Huế 1-1 Đồng Tháp

Vòng 4
Công an Hà Nội 2-1 Đồng Tháp
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-0 Công an Hải Phòng
SLNA 1-0 Nam Định
TT-Huế 1-1 Thể Công
Khánh Hòa 0-1 Công an TPHCM

Vòng 5
Công an Hà Nội 0-0 Thể Công
Công an TPHCM 0-2 Cảng Sài Gòn
Đồng Tháp 2-2 Công an Hải Phòng
Nam Định 1-0 TT-Huế
Khánh Hòa 0-2 SLNA

Vòng 6
Công an TPHCM 4-0 Đồng Tháp
Công an Hải Phòng 2-0 Thể Công
Công an Hà Nội 2-0 Nam Định
SLNA 1-0 TT-Huế
Khánh Hòa 1-1 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 7
Nam Định 2-0 Công an Hải Phòng
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 Đồng Tháp
Thể Công 1-0 Công an TPHCM
SLNA 2-0 Công an Hà Nội
TT-Huế 1-0 Khánh Hòa

Vòng 8
TT-Huế 2-0 Công an Hà Nội [trận đấu bị BTC kết luận là có tiêu cực]
Thể Công 2-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công an TPHCM 0-1 Nam Định
SLNA 3-1 Công an Hải Phòng
Khánh Hòa 1-1 Đồng Tháp

Vòng 9
Công an Hà Nội 1-1 Khánh Hòa
Công an Hải Phòng 4-1 TT-Huế
Nam Định 1-2 Cảng Sài Gòn
Đồng Tháp 0-0 Thể Công
Công an TPHCM 0-1 SLNA

Vòng 10
Công an Hải Phòng 1-3 Công an Hà Nội
Nam Định 3-1 Đồng Tháp
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-1 SLNA
TT-Huế 4-3 Công an TPHCM
Thể Công 1-1 Khánh Hòa

Vòng 11
Khánh Hòa 2-0 Công an Hải Phòng
Công an Hà Nội 0-3 Công an TPHCM
SLNA 1-1 Đồng Tháp
Nam Định 1-0 Thể Công
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 TT-Huế

Vòng 12
Công an TPHCM 3-1 Công an Hải Phòng
Công an Hà Nội 0-0 Cảng Sài Gòn
SLNA 2-0 Thể Công
Khánh Hòa 0-2 Nam Định
Đồng Tháp 1-0 TT-Huế

Vòng 13
Đồng Tháp 3-2 Công an Hà Nội
Công an Hải Phòng 3-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Nam Định 1-0 SLNA
Thể Công 0-1 TT-Huế
Công an TPHCM 3-2 Khánh Hòa

Vòng 14
Thể Công 2-1 Công an Hà Nội
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-2 Công an TPHCM
Công an Hải Phòng 4-1 Đồng Tháp
TT-Huế 0-0 Nam Định
SLNA 4-0 Khánh Hòa

Vòng 15
Đồng Tháp 0-0 Công an TPHCM
Thể Công 3-0 Công an Hải Phòng
Nam Định 1-0 Công an Hà Nội
TT-Huế 2-1 SLNA
Cảng Sài Gòn 3-0 Khánh Hòa

Vòng 16
Công an Hải Phòng 2-1 Nam Định
Đồng Tháp 2-3 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công an TPHCM 2-1 Thể Công
Công an Hà Nội 0-0 SLNA
Khánh Hòa 1-2 TT-Huế

Vòng 17
Công an Hà Nội 3-0 TT-Huế
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-3 Thể Công
Nam Định 2-0 Công an TPHCM
Công an Hải Phòng 1-2 SLNA
Đồng Tháp 3-2 Khánh Hòa

Vòng 18
Khánh Hòa 1-4 Công an Hà Nội
TT-Huế 0-2 Công an Hải Phòng
Cảng Sài Gòn 5-0 Nam Định
Thể Công 2-1 Đồng Tháp
SLNA 4-3 Công an TPHCM

Bảng xếp hạng chung cuộc

1. SL Nghệ An 11 3 4 30-15 36
2. Nam Định 11 1 6 22-17 34
3. Thể Công 8 5 5 19-16 29
4. Cảng Sài Gòn 7 6 5 29-21 27
5. CA TPHCM 8 2 8 26-23 26
6. CA Hải Phòng 8 1 9 28-30 25
7. CAHà Nội 6 6 6 22-19 24 (*)
8. TT - Huế 6 5 7 16-21 23
9. Đồng Tháp 4 7 7 23-32 19
10. Khánh Hòa 1 4 13 15-36 7

* Bị BTC giải trừ 2 điểm sau trận cầu với Thừa Thiên Huế ở lượt đi

Vua phá lưới: Đặng Đạo (Khánh Hoà) 11 bàn

Theo VFF/Thể Thao Việt Nam Net

Giải Vô Địch Quốc Gia 1999/2000

2007-10-01T09:10:00.000+07:00

14 đội tham gia thi đấu theo thể thức vòng tròn 2 lượt (sân nhà - sân đối phương). Tuy nhiên, giải đấu này có ý nghĩa rất quan trọng khi nó xác định 10 đội đứng đầu được quyền tham dự giải VĐQG chuyên nghiệp lần đầu tiên sẽ được tổ chức vào mùa 2000-2001. 4 đội xếp cuối vẫn ở lại giải hạng Nhất. Tuy nhiên, đội Vĩnh Long đã bị loại ở vòng thứ 14 vì sự cố hành hung trọng tài. Giải diễn ra từ ngày 24-10-1999 đến 7-5-2000.

Vòng 1
Thể Công 1-0 Công an Hải Phòng
Nam Định 0-1 Công An Hà Nội
Đà Nẵng 1-0 Khánh Hòa
Đồng Tháp 4-1 Vĩnh Long
Lâm Đồng 0-1 Long An
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-1 Công an TPHCM
TT-Huế 2-2 SLNA

Vòng 2
Công An Hà Nội 1-1 Công an Hải Phòng
Nam Định 0-0 Thể Công
SLNA 4-1 Đà Nẵng
Khánh Hòa 2-3 TT-Huế
Đồng Tháp 3-1 Lâm Đồng
Công an TPHCM 3-1 Long An
Vĩnh Long 0-0 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 3
Công An Hải Phòng 0-1 Nam Định
Thể Công 2-1 Công An Hà Nội
SLNA 1-1 Khánh Hòa
TT-Huế 2-0 Đà Nẵng
Lâm Đồng 3-2 Công an TPHCM
Long An 2-2 Vĩnh Long
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-3 Đồng Tháp

Vòng 4
Thể Công 2-3 SLNA
Nam Định 0-1 Khánh Hòa
Công An Hải Phòng 1-0 TT-Huế
Đà Nẵng 1-1 Công An Hà Nội
Lâm Đồng 3-1 Vĩnh Long
Long An 0-0 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công an TPHCM1-0 Đồng Tháp

Vòng 5
Khánh Hòa 1-0 Thể Công
Nam Định 1-0 SLNA
Công An Hà Nội 2-0 TT-Huế
Đà Nẵng 0-0 Công An Hải Phòng
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-0 Lâm Đồng
Đồng Tháp 2-1 Long An
Vĩnh Long 0-1 Công an TPHCM

Vòng 6
Khánh Hòa 4-0 Lâm Đồng
Công An Hà Nội 1-1 SLNA
Long An 3-3 Thể Công
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-1 Công An Hải Phòng
Đà Nẵng 3-0 Công an TPHCM
Đồng Tháp 1-0 TT-Huế
Nam Định 3-0 Vĩnh Long

Vòng 7
Công An Hà Nội 1-0 Khánh Hòa
Cảng Sài Gòn 4-2 TT-Huế
SLNA 2-1 Lâm Đồng
Vĩnh Long 0-0 Thể Công
Long An 1-1 Nam Định
Công An TPHCM 3-0 Công an Hải Phòng
Đồng Tháp 3-0 Đà Nẵng

Vòng 8
Thể Công 1-0 Đồng Tháp
Công an Hải Phòng. 2-1 Khánh Hòa
SLNA 1-0 Long An
Đà Nẵng 1-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công An TPHCM 3-0 Nam Định
Lâm Đồng 1-2 Công An Hà Nội
Vĩnh Long 0-0 TT-Huế

Vòng 9
Lâm Đồng 1-1 Nam Định
Khánh Hòa 2-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công An TPHCM 0-0 Công An Hà Nội
Thể Công 1-1 Đà Nẵng
Long An 2-2 TT-Huế
Vĩnh Long 0-1 SLNA
Công an Hải Phòng 1-0 Đồng Tháp

Vòng 10
Thể Công 2-3 Lâm Đồng
Công an Hải Phòng 3-0 Vĩnh Long
Long An 2-1 Đà Nẵng
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 Công An Hà Nội
Khánh Hòa 1-4 Công an TPHCM
Đồng Tháp 0-0 SLNA
Nam Định 1-0 TT-Huế

Vòng 11
Công An Hà Nội 1-0 Vĩnh Long
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 Thể Công
Lâm Đồng 1-1 Đà Nẵng
Đồng Tháp 1-2 Nam Định
SLNA 1-0 Công an Hải Phòng
TT-Huế 1-1 Công an TPHCM
Long An 1-0 Khánh Hòa

Vòng 12
Khánh Hòa 0-0 Đồng Tháp
Công An Hà Nội 1-0 Long An
Đà Nẵng 3-2 Vĩnh Long
Cảng Sài Gòn 4-1 Nam Định
TT-Huế 1-0 Thể Công
SLNA 1-1 Công an TPHCM
Lâm Đồng 1-0 Công an Hải Phòng

Vòng 13
Công An Hà Nội 3-1 Đồng Tháp
Vĩnh Long 1-2 Khánh Hòa
TT-Huế 2-2 Lâm Đồng
SLNA 1-0 Cảng Sài Gòn
Đà Nẵng 1-1 Nam Định
Công an TPHCM 2-0 Thể Công
Công an Hải Phòng 0-0 Long An

Vòng 14
Công an Hải Phòng 0-0 Thể Công
Công An Hà Nội 0-0 Nam Định
SLNA 1-0 TT-Huế
Khánh Hòa 1-0 Đà Nẵng
Vĩnh Long - Đồng Tháp(*)
Long An 2-0 Lâm Đồng
Công an TPHCM 1-1 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 15
Công an Hải Phòng 1-0 Công An Hà Nội
Thể Công 2-0 Nam Định
Đà Nẵng 1-1 SLNA
TT-Huế 1-0 Khánh Hòa
Lâm Đồng 1-0 Đồng Tháp
Long An 1-3 Công an TPHCM
Cảng Sài Gòn - Vĩnh Long (*)

Vòng 16
Nam Định 0-0 Công an Hải Phòng
Công An Hà Nội 0-0 Thể Công
Khánh Hòa 2-2 SLNA
Đà Nẵng 1-0 TT-Huế
Công an TPHCM 4-3 Lâm Đồng
Vĩnh Long - Long An (*)
Đồng Tháp 2-1 Cảng Sài Gòn

Vòng 17
SLNA 4-0 Thể Công
Khánh Hòa 2-0 Nam Định
TT-Huế 2-0 Công an Hi Phòng
Đà Nẵng 0-3 Công An Hà Nội
Vĩnh Long - Lâm Đồng (*)
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-1 Long An
Đồng Tháp 1-1 Công an TPHCM

Vòng 18
Thể Công 4-0 Khánh Hòa
SLNA 2-0 Nam Định
TT-Huế 2-1 Công An Hà Nội
Công an Hải Phòng 0-0 Đà Nẵng
Lâm Đồng 0-3 Cảng Sài Gòn
Long An 0-0 Đồng Tháp
Công an TPHCM - Vĩnh Long (*)

Vòng 19
Lâm Đồng 1-0 Khánh Hòa
SLNA 2-0 Công An Hà Nội
Thể Công 2-1 Long An
Công an Hải Phòng 3-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công an TPHCM 1-0 Đà Nẵng
TT-Huế 3-0 Đồng Tháp
Vĩnh Long - Nam Định (*)

Vòng 20
Lâm Đồng 0-0 SLNA
Thể Công -Vĩnh Long(*)
Nam Định 3-0 Long An
TT-Huế 0-0 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công an Hải Phòng 3-0 Công an TPHCM
Khánh Hòa 2-0 Công An Hà Nội
Đà Nẵng 1-0 Đồng Tháp

Vòng 21
Đồng Tháp 0-0 Thể Công
Khánh Hòa 2-1 Công an Hải Phòng
Long An 0-1 SLNA
Cảng Sài Gòn 2-0 Đà Nẵng
Nam Định 1-0 Công an TPHCM
Công An Hà Nội2-1 Lâm Đồng
TT-Huế - Vĩnh Long(*)

Vòng 22
Nam Định 2-0 Lâm Đồng
Cảng Sài Gòn 1-1 Khánh Hòa
Công An Hà Nội1-0 Công an TPHCM
Đà Nẵng1-1 Thể Công
TT-Huế2-4 Long An
SLN - Vĩnh Long (*)
Đồng Tháp1-0 Công an Hải Phòng

Vòng 23
Lâm Đồng 1-0 Thể Công
Đà Nẵng 4-1 Long An
Công An Hà Nội 2-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công an TPHCM 5-2 Khánh Hòa
SLNA 1-1 Đồng Tháp
TT-Huế 1-0 Nam Định
Công an Hải Phòng - Vĩnh Long (*)

Vòng 24
Thể Công1-1 Cảng Sài Gòn
Công An Hà Nội _ Vĩnh Long (*)
Đà Nẵng 2-0 Lâm Đồng
Nam Định1-1 Đồng Tháp
Công an Hải Phòng 2-1 SLNA
Công an TPHCM 1-0 TT-Huế
Khánh Hoà7-1 Long An

Vòng 25
Đồng Tháp 5-1 Khánh Hòa
Long An 3-0 Công An Hà Nội
Nam Định 3-2 Cảng Sài Gòn
Thể Công 3-2 TT-Huế
Công an TPHCM 1-1 SLNA
Công an Hải Phòng 3-1 Lâm Đồng
Đà Nẵng - Vĩnh Long (*)

Vòng 26
Đồng Tháp 2-1 Công An Hà Nội
Lâm Đồng 0-2 TT-Huế
Cảng Sài Gòn 3-2 SLNA
Nam Định 4-2 Đà Nẵng
Thể Công 1-2 Công an TPHCM
Long An 1-1 Công an Hải Phòng
Khánh Hòa - Vĩnh Long (*)

Bảng xếp hạng chung cuộc:

1.SL Nghệ An 24 11 10 3 35-20 43
2.CA TPHCM 24 12 6 6 40-27 42
3. CA Hà Nội 24 10 7 7 25-22 37
4. Cảng Sài Gòn 24 9 8 7 38-30 35
5. Đồng Tháp 24 9 7 8 27-23 34
6. Nam Định 24 9 7 8 23-25 34
7. TT-Huế 24 9 5 10 30-29 32
8. CA Hải Phòng 24 8 7 9 20-20 31
9.Khánh Hoà 24 9 4 11 33-35 31
10.Thể Công 24 7 9 8 27-28 30
11.Đà Nẵng 24 6 9 9 23-30 27
12.Long An 24 6 7 11 27-39 25
13.Lâm Đồng 24 6 4 14 22-42 22
14.Vĩnh Long 13 0 4 9 7-23 4

* Tất cả các trận đấu có đội Vĩnh Long từ sau vòng 14 đều huỷ bỏ. Kết quả các trận của họ với các đội khác trước đó không được tính. Thành tích của họ trên bảng xếp hạng ở đây chỉ có giá trị tham khảo.

- 10 đội đứng đầu chơi hạng Chuyên nghiệp mùa bóng tới. 3 đội Đà Nẵng, Long An, Lâm Đồng "ở lại" hạng Nhất. Đội Vĩnh Long bị giáng xuống hạng Nhì.
- Vua phá lưới: Văn Sỹ Thuỷ (Sông Lam Nghệ An) 14 bàn
- Có 370 bàn thắng được ghi, đạt tỷ lệ 2,37bàn/trận

Theo VFF/ Thể Thao Việt Nam Net

Giải Vô Địch Quốc Gia 1999 ( Giải Tập Huấn Mùa Xuân 1999)

2007-10-01T09:08:00.000+07:00

Kể từ sau năm 1987, thì đây là lần thứ 2 giải bóng đá VĐQG không có đội xuống hạng. Khi đó, tại giải hạng Nhất quốc gia tệ nạn tiêu cực hoành hành mà các cơ quan quản lý không tìm nổi một biện pháp ngăn chặn hữu hiệu. Chính vì thế, phương án không có đội xuống hạng đã được đưa ra, nhằm khuyến khích các đội chơi trung thực. Tuy nhiên, việc không có đội xuống hạng đã khiến giải diễn ra khá nhạt nhẽo và không thu hút được sự quan tâm của người hâm mộ.

Diễn ra từ ngày 8-3 đến 11-4 với sự tham gia của 14 đội, nhưng được chia thành 2 bảng thi đấu vòng tròn 1 lượt. 2 đội dẫn đầu 2 bảng đá chéo tại bán kết và 4 đội dẫn đầu mỗi bảng được quyền tham dự Cup Dunhill.

Kết quả vòng đấu bảng:

Bảng A
1. SL Nghệ An 6 4 2 0 15/4 14
2. CA Hà Nội 6 4 2 0 11/4 14
3. CA Hải Phòng 6 3 1 2 6/5 10
4. Nam Định 6 2 2 2 9/6 8
5. Cảng Sài Gòn 6 2 2 2 5/4 8
6. Vĩnh Long 6 1 0 5 3/9 3
7. Long An 6 0 1 5 2/19 1

Bảng B
1. CA TPHCM 6 4 1 1 7/3 13
2. Đà Nẵng 6 3 1 2 5/5 10
3. Đồng Tháp 6 2 3 1 8/6 9
4. TT-Huế 6 2 2 2 7/7 8
5. Thể Công 6 2 1 3 6/6 7
6. Khánh Hoà 6 1 3 2 4/5 6
7. Long An 6 1 1 4 4/9 4

Bán kết: Công an Hà Nội 3-0 Công an TPHCM
Sông Lam Nghệ An 1-0 Đà Nẵng

Chung kết: Công an Hà Nội 0-0 Sông Lam Nghệ An (2-4 pen)

- Vua phá lưới: Vũ Minh Hiếu (Công an Hà Nội) 8 bàn

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