V-League All-time Standings (2001-2010)

This table was made by Erick
(As of March, 25 2010)

	01-02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	Total points
Gach Dong Tam Long An	-	40	38	42	40	44	45	34	8	291
SHB Da Nang	24	27	24	38	34	37	42	50	12	288
Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA)	28	32	37	31	36	35	36	43	6	284
Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL)	-	43	46	32	36	41	39	37	6	280
Nam Dinh	25	36	44	28	32	38	31	31	1	266
Becamex Binh Duong	-	-	28	38	39	55	47	43	10	260
Binh Dinh	26	35	27	25	36	36	28	-	-	213
Ho Chi Minh City FC (Cang Sai Gon)	32	19	-	27	29	34	39	29	-	209
Hai Phong	19	-	22	27	24	-	44	36	8	180
ACB Ha Noi (Cong An Ha Noi, LG-ACB Ha Noi)	21	11	36	24	33	31	19	-	-	175
Khanh Hoa	-	-	-	-	35	34	39	35	10	153
The Cong -disbanded	23	32	20	-	-	-	38	35	-	148
Dong Thap	-	30	25	15	-	20	-	38	10	138
Thanh Hoa	-	-	-	-	-	34	32	19	7	92
Hoa Phat Ha Noi	-	-	-	25	27	-	15	-	8	75
Ngan Hang Dong A (Cong An TPHCM) -disbanded	26	28	18	-	-	-	-	-	-	72
Ha Noi T&T	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	39	12	51
Hue	21	-	-	-	-	20	-	-	-	41
Navibank Sai Gon (Quan Khu 4)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	33	5	38
Hang Khong Viet Nam -disbanded	-	29	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	29
Tien Giang	-	-	-	-	23	-	-	-	-	23
The Vissai Ninh Binh	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	11	11

AFC Cup: Da Nang ease past Tai Po while Binh Duong defeated in Indonesia

Da Nang v Tai Po: 3-0 (Huynh Quoc Anh (2), Nguyen Rogerio)
Highlight Clip

Despite fielding a squad without some key players such as Gaston Merlo and Phan Thanh Hung, SHB Da Nang still managed to record an easy victory over Hong Kong side Wofoo Tai Po. Left-winger Huynh Quoc Anh had an outstanding performance as he scored 2 goals and caused all kinds of problems for Tai Po's backline. Personally I think he would be an ideal replacement for out-of-form Le Cong Vinh (who is planning to retire at the age of 25 lol) in the left-attacker position in Vietnam national team squad.

Sriwijaya v Binh Duong: 1-0

I didn't have a chance to watch the match. Just reading the match report on AFC site suggested me that Binh Duong's strikers still got stuck as they had done lately. The defeat in Indonesia meant Binh Duong will have to win the return leg against Sriwijaya if they want to finish group stage at top position. Otherwise, there would be high chance that two Vietnamese teams will clash each other right in the round of 16 as Da Nang is likely to win group F. Hope that it will not happen too soon.

23/03: News in brief

• Jose Mourinho's former assistant take charge at GDT Long An: Portuguese coach Ricardo Manuel Nunes Formosinho, who was the 'Special one' 's subordinate during 2003-2004 season with Porto, was appointed as Long An's new head coach this morning. He will replace Tran Cong Minh, who was Long An's caretaker coach after the departure of another Portuguese man Jose Luis.






• Le Cong Vinh facing ban: Ha Noi T&T striker Le Cong Vinh is going to receive discipline after he badly reacted to the referee's decision in Cao Lanh Stadium last V-league round. (UPDATE: Le Cong Vinh will receive a 6-match ban)
  



• Ex-LA Galaxy striker Gavin Glinton join Nam Dinh: Turk and Caicos Islands international striker Gavin Glinton, who made 51 appearances for MLS side LA Galaxy, has just signed a deal with struggling Nam Dinh. He will start play for Nam Dinh in the second phase of V-league 2010, which will starts in June.
  

Mr. Hai is Ninh Binh's new coach

Famous Vietnamese coach Le Thuy Hai and The Vissai Ninh Binh has come to an agreement about a contract which will last until the end of this year. The newly promoted club will pay Mr. Hai a monthly salary of 100 million VND ( about $US 5,000), a big number compared to most V-League coaches, and very lucrative bonuses based the team's performance. His mission is to help The Vissai Ninh Binh finish this season in top 5 of V-League. In case the club's results are disappointing, his contract can be terminated at anytime.

65 year-old coach Le Thuy Hai had 2 V-League titles with Binh Duong and has finished second twice with Binh Duong and Da Nang. Last year, he was under contract with The Cong.

Binh Duong sign Lee Nguyen

BAOBONGDA

The American-Vietnamese player has finally found a new club.

Lee Nguyen decided to sign a 18-month contract with an undisclosed fee for V-League 2009 runner-up Becamex Binh Duong yesterday. His monthly salary will stand at US$ 10,000, making him the best-paid player in V-League alongside Hai Phong's Leandro. Since the register window was closed, Lee will make his debut for Binh Duong in the second phase of V-League which will start in June.

Binh Duong's decision to approach Lee Nguyen was considered a reasonable one as the club is currently suffering lack of depth and creativity in the midfield. Moreover, Binh Duong needs new addition to its squad to gear up to challenges in V-League, AFC Cup and National Cup.

Before joining Binh Duong, USA international Lee Nguyen had played for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, Rander FC from Denmark and V-League side HAGL.

Bui Tan Truong sign record deal

Vietnam international goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong has just signed a new 3-year deal with his club Dong Thap. The 24-year-old goalkeeper received an amount of signing fee up to 5 billion VND (US$ 260,000) and a monthly salary of 40 million VND (US$ 2,100). This record deal made Tan Truong become the most expensive goalkeeper in V-league.

Bui Tan Truong, whose height is 188cm, is touted as best local goalkeeper by many pundits at this moment. Before signing the extended contract with Dong Thap, he had been linked with Binh Duong and HAGL.

AFC Cup: Poor defending nearly cost Da Nang two points

(Pic by Huu Quy)

SHB Da Nang v Geylang Utd: 3-2 (Merlo, Niko, Doan Hung Son)

Da Nang faced more difficulties than they expected in AFC Cup clash vs S-league side Geylang Utd yesterday. Although the host controlled the game throughout the match, their defending mistakes allowed the visitors to find 2 goals from set-piece. Fortunately, the host was relieved that Doan Hung Son's precious goal in injury time help Da Nang get maximum point in their second game of AFC Cup 2010.

Other result: Tai Po v Thai Port: 0-1

Clip: SHB Da Nang v Geylang Utd: 3-2

AFC Cup: Binh Duong won the game, not the fans

Binh Duong v Victory SC: 3-0 (Huynh Kesley, Philani, Minh Chuyen)

Although Binh Duong's highly-rated attackers managed to find Victory's net three times to earn their first win in AFC Cup 2010, no fan was too impressed by their manner. The host's first goal was scored from a penalty kick while the third goal was a very lucky one. Besides, Binh Duong had not improved its terrible V-league form as their front missed dozens of clear chances while their backline made some serious mistakes.

Group H other result: Sriwijaya v Selangor: 6-1

V-League 2010 stats after 5 rounds

Table
1 - Ha Noi T&T 12pts
2 - SHB Da Nang 9pts
3 - XM Hai Phong 8pts

Top Goal-scorers:
1 - Gaston Merlo (6 goals)
2 - Leandro (5 goals)
3 - Samson Kayode (5 goals)

Most goals team:
1 - Dong Thap (12 goals - 2,4 goals per match)
2 - XM Hai Phong (10 goals - 2 goals per match)
3 - Ha Noi T&T (10 goals - 2 goals per match)

Average number of goals: 3.3 goals per match (up to round 4)
Average number of yellow cards: 4.14 cards per match (up to round 4)
Average number of red cards: 0.2 cards per match (up to round 4)
Average attendance: 10,759 per match (up to round 4)

Vietnamese Golden Ball nominees list

GOLDEN BALL 2009 nominees list:

Nguyen Quang Hai (Khanh Hoa)
Pham Thanh Luong (Ha Noi ACB)
Nguyen Vu Phong (Binh Duong)
Nguyen Minh Phuong (GDT Long An)
Bui Tan Truong (Dong Thap)
Vu Nhu Thanh (Ninh Binh)
Le Tan Tai (Khanh Hoa)
Huynh Quang Thanh (Binh Duong)
Mai Tien Thanh (Ninh Binh)
Le Cong Vinh (Ha Noi T&T)

BEST YOUNG PLAYER 2009 nominees list:

Tran Manh Dung (Nam Dinh -1990)
Nguyen Trong Hoang (SLNA -1989)
Pham Nguyen Sa (Da Nang -1988)
Hoang Dinh Tung (Thanh Hoa - 1988)
Ha Minh Tuan (Da Nang - 1991)

BEST FOREIGN PLAYER 2009 nominees list:

Philani (Binh Duong)
Leandro (Hai Phong)
Gaston Merlo (Da Nang)
Lazaro (Quan Khu 4 - Hai Phong)
Timothy Anjembe (Dong Thap - Hoa Phat Ha Noi)

Merlo and Da Nang won January & February awards

V-league best team of month (January & February):

1. SHB Da Nang
2. Becamex Binh Duong
3. Ha Noi T&T

V-league player of month (January & February):

1. Gaston Merlo (Da Nang)
2. Luong Van Duoc Em (Dong Thap)
3. Hoang Dinh Tung (Thanh Hoa)

Robert Lim and Jose Luis said goodbye to V-league

Singaporean coach Robert Lim was moved back to his old position as a youth team director by The Vissai Ninh Binh yesterday. The reason was believed to be a conflict between Robert Lim and a lot of his players. Former Binh Duong and The Cong coach Le Thuy Hai and Nguyen Hong Son are linked with the vacant job.

GDT Long An's Portuguese coach Jose Luis was replaced by his assistant Tran Cong Minh. Former South China coach will leave GDT Long and return to Portugal due to some health problems.

Kung-fu League

VTC
Last round of V-league saw Vissai Ninh Binh and Hai Phong draw 2-2 in a hot derby of two 'cement' clubs while the fans had a chance to watch some martial skills.

...on the field

...and in the stands

Ninh Binh coach Robert Lim criticized his player Raphael

...and the Brazilian player didn't hesitate to shout back

Hai Phong players are even worse. Aniekan and GK Bui Quang Huy blamed each other after Hai Phong conceded a goal at 95th min and two teammates thought words couldn't solve things

Aniekan and GK Quang Huy will be suspended by his club so young Indian-Vietnamese GK Ram Zack Sing will have his V-League debut next round

Philani & Phan Thanh Binh CeleBRRRate with Coca-Cola

An interesting clip featuring two V-League stars

Vietnam international Phan Thanh Binh and Binh Duong's South African striker Philani are brand ambassadors of Coca-Cola Vietnam.

Lee Nguyen n Rumors

I has been enjoying reading Vietnamese newspapers lately. There are tons of news about 'superstar' Cong Vinh, 'golden boy' Van Quyen and especially jobless Lee Nguyen on the first page everyday. Reading them is really a good way to have yourself relaxed and find some fun on a boring day.

Well, it has been 2 weeks since Lee was fired by Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Yet, he has not come back to the States as expected and the truth is he is currently staying in Sai Gon, considering his future. Despite being a jobless player, Lee Nguyen still attracts a lot of attention from the press and fans. On Mar 3, he was seen training with Ho Chi Minh City FC, a first division club (this was true, not rumor). His sudden appearance brought a lot of supporters to the stadium that is quite strange in Sai Gon nowadays. That's what Lee Nguyen is doing now: training with some football clubs or sometimes his fitness coach to retain his form. In short, he is still remaining in Vietnam and waiting for offers.

Lee's father, who is working like his son's agent in Vietnam at the moment, has recently stated that if any Vietnamese club wants Lee, they must offer a monthly salary not less than US$10,000 and 10 billion VND (US$ 530,000) of signing fee (RUMOR!). Rumor also says The Vissai Ninh Binh and Ha Noi T&T from northern part of Vietnam are interested despite his high demand.

However, I think Lee would only sign for another Vietnamese club if it is 'ambitious', 'professional', 'financially strong' and better playing in continental competitions. There are not many clubs like that in Vietnam. Nevertheless Binh Duong emerges as biggest candidate for his signature (RUMOR!). The club is based in Thu Dau Mot, right next to Lee's homeland and V-League 2009 runner-up, which is playing in AFC Cup, is always regarded as one of the best in Vietnam. Moreover, Binh Duong is missing one slot of foreigner after the sudden death of Argentine striker Molina. It's gonna be perfect for both sides if a deal goes ahead. Yet Lee's income demand is still main obstacle.

In my personal opinion, in case Lee Nguyen still wants to play in Vietnam, I suggest him take Vietnamese citizenship. Many Vietnamese clubs will be ready to offer big money for a quality domestic player and then 10 billion VND is not a big problem. Moreover, if Lee were Vietnamese, his chance of joining a club from Japan, South Korea or China would be much higher because each club from those leagues can register one player from another AFC member as domestic player. Then Lee can start a new chapter in his Asian adventure (RUMOR!) !

New contract for Calisto

VFF, Calisto sign three-year contract

VietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Portugal coach Henrique Calisto signed a new three-year contract in Hanoi on March 4.

Calisto will be given the task of helping Vietnam defend its 2008 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF Cup) championship title in 2010 and 2012 and enter World Cup 2014 Qualifiers in the Asian region.

Under the new deal, Calisto will receive a monthly salary of US$22,000, up nearly 100 percent against the previous contract. He will also enjoy other preferences, including accommodations, airfares to Portugal on leave, health insurance, and additional bonuses if the national squad and the Olympic team achieve high results at regional and international tournaments.

VFF Vice Chairman Nguyen Lan Trung says within three years, Calisto will draw up a new strategy for Vietnamese football to take part in regional and continental competitions to live up to spectators’ expectations.

Currently, the national squad has jumped 41 spots to the 114th place in FIFA standings since Calisto accepted to lead the national squad in March 2008.

VietNamNet/VOV