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30 June 2010

Record low attendance

Only 6,642 spectators per game on average turned up for last round of V-League 2010. This sudden decrease is understandable as those games were played on weekdays, not to mention the effect of World Cup.

Just one month ago, a record of nearly 14,000 fans per game cheered for V-League 2010 round 14.

V-league 2010 Round 16: V-League back with goals

Hai Phong won for their determination


Khanh Hoa v Da Nang: 4-1
Da Nang continued their poor form with a heavy defeat to Khanh Hoa.

Ha Noi T&T v DT Long An: 4-1
Argentine striker Gonzalo scored a hattrick to help Ha Noi T&T reach closer to league leader Binh Duong.


Thanh Hoa v Hoa Phat: 2-1
Thanh Hoa earned an important win to move further away from dangerous zone.

Binh Duong v HAGL:1-1
HAGL's super substitute Marcelo scored at 92nd minute to help HAGL maintain three unbeaten games record against Binh Duong this season. Injured Lee Nguyen couldn't play.

Navibank Sai Gon v Nam Dinh: 1-4
The crucial game between 2 bottom clubs ended with a surprising win for visitors.

Ninh Binh v Dong Thap: 0-3
Dong Thap proved to be a real force in V-League 2010.

Hai Phong v SLNA: 3-2
Hai Phong overcame rival SLNA in a very exciting encounter. SLNA had 2 goals ahead but the determined host was the eventual winner.

25 June 2010

VFF plan to adopt UEFA Champions League rule on V-League

In order to find a more effective way to restrict the number of foreign-born players in V-League, VFF is considering applying 'home-grown' rule in V-League 2011. This idea was suggested by some football pundits a few months ago and it was highly approved by some VFF officials. According to the new provisional rule, each club must field at least 7 home-grown players at a time. This matter will be brought to discussion prior to V-League 2011. However, many people cast doubt over its possibility of realization.

Outside Vietnam, home-grown rule has been used in UEFA Champions League since 2006 and will be introduced to English Premier League next season.

So, what is a home-grown player?

The most common definition of a home-grown player is a player trained for at least 3 years under the age of 21 by clubs in the domestic football system. Home-grown players can be either domestic ones or foreigners. Besides, all under-21 players are eligible to play.

The main obstacle for this rule to be adopted in Vietnam is the lack of statistic information. It would take some time to complete all necessary info for home-grown players. Not to mention some Vietnamese players came to football very late when they were already over 20. Moreover, the new rule will also prevent some Vietnamese players trained abroad such as Dang Van Robert, Emil Le Giang and Patrick Le Giang... to play in there homeland.

The home-grown definition will include some foreign-born players as well. Looking at the current list of players, we can find some names meeting the requirement such as Cesar Cocchi (under 21) and Samson Kayode (trained in Vietnam).

23 June 2010

All-time top goal scorers of V-League

Current Top 10 (11/6/2010)
Click here to see the rest (All players with 20+ V-League goals)


Rank

Name

Nationality

Goals

1

Antonio Carlos

BRAZIL

66*

2

Le Cong Vinh

VIETNAM

64*

3

Jose Emidio Almeida

BRAZIL

62*

4

Elenildo de Jesus

BRAZIL

60*

5

Huynh Kesley (Kesley Alves)

VIETNAM BRAZIL

57*

6

Amaobi Uzowuru

NIGERIA

53

7

Philani Kubheka

SOUTH AFRICA

41*

8

Emeka Achilefu

NIGERIA

40

9

Kiatisuk Senamuang

THAILAND

38

10

Julien Nsengiyumva

RWANDA

36


Among top 5, Almeida and Le Cong Vinh will be out of action until next season due to injury so Antonio, Elenildo and Kesley will have a chance to improve their rank.

22 June 2010

Forced relegation threaten 3 V-League clubs

Three V-League clubs including title challenger Dong Thap, Nam Dinh and Thanh Hoa could be forcibly relegated to the First Division if they fail to become professional clubs in time.

As a part of V-League 2010 regulations, August 31, 2010 is the deadline for 14 V-League clubs to turn professional. So three remaining semi-pro clubs could lose their V-league slot next season even if they win the championship title.

This matter could heavily affect the final results of V-League 2010. In case nothing changes, those clubs will get 3 automatic relegation places no matter how the final standings will be. It means no other V-League club will be relegated. Three best professional clubs from the First Division 2010 will replace them in V-League 2011.

16 June 2010

Legendary goalkeeper: Pham Van Rang


Pham Van Rang (1934-2008) was the best Vietnamese goalkeeper in history and undoubtedly one of best talents that Vietnamese football has ever produced. In 1966, he was a member of All Stars Team of Asia and played brilliantly to help his team beat Chelsea 2-1 in a friendly in Malaysia.

Pham Van Rang was born in Tien Giang, a province in southern part of Vietnam, in 1934. When 17 years old, he started his career as a goalkeeper of Ngoi Sao Ba Chieu and soon became famous for his talent. In 1953, he joined Thanh Nien and later Tong Tham Muu, two of best clubs in South Vietnam at that time. The 19-year-old goalkeeper became the first choice of South Vietnam national team in the same year.

In 1959, Pham Van Rang played the friendly game between South Vietnam and Swedish champions Djurgarden. The game featured a lot of Swedish stars who played the World Cup 1958 final and their attack made huge pressure on Vietnamese defense line. However, Pham Vang Rang made some unbelievable saves to help South Vietnam win 2-1.

In the same year of 1959, he achieved his first international title when South Vietnam won SEAP Games in Bangkok (Thailand). Pham Van Rang was considered of best Asian goalkeepers during his time.

South Vietnam team winning SEAP Games 1959

In 1966, the 31-year-old goalkeeper was invited to play for All Stars Team of Asia, which was led by Hong Kong coach Ly Hue Duong and Peter Velappan. In the Chelsea game, he played so well that he earned a lot of credits from Asian media and labeled as main reason for the surprising victory.

After retiring, he worked as coach of some football clubs in southern part of Vietnam. In 1995, he returned to Sai Gon, living at Tao Dan Stadium until he died in 2008.

Poll Results:Who should be number-one goalkeeper of Vietnam national team?

After nearly 200 days for voting...

13 June 2010

Kien Giang won Second Division

Nguyen Hoang Kien Giang defeated Hoa Phat V&V 3-1 in the final at Tu Do Stadium to become new champions of the Second Division. Two finalists were promoted to the First Division.

A total of 17 clubs participated in the Vietnamese Second Divison 2010. They were divided into 3 groups regionally and played home-away games to determine 3 group winners alongside one best runner-up to enter the semi-finals.

Final standings:

GROUP A
1. Hoa Phat V&V
2. Megastar United
3. T&T Baoercheng
4. Ha Tinh
5. Cong An Nhan Dan

GROUP B
1. Phadin Quang Ngai
2. Lam Dong
3. Quan Khu 5
4. Binh Thuan
5. DIC Ba Ria Vung Tau
6. Dak Lak

GROUP C
1. Duoc Sai Gon
2. Nguyen Hoang Kien Giang
3. Ca Mau
4. Ton Phuong Nam TPHCM
5. Ngoi DT Long An
6. Maseco Arirang (relegated)

08 June 2010

Duc Eto'o

Full Name: Nguyen Anh Duc
DOB: 24/8/1985
Height: 1.80 m
Club: Binh Duong

Binh Duong striker Nguyen Anh Duc, who earned the nickname Duc Eto'o amongst his fans, is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous marksmen in V-league at the moment. His last goal against Nam Dinh was his 13th goal in 12 games. With that high scoring rate, Anh Duc was finally considered an important first-team player of Binh Duong, what he hadn't been able to achieve since he joined 'Chelsea Vietnam' 5 years ago. The powerful rise of Anh Duc is something you can hardly see in V-League, where foreign strikers dominate. More especially, most of his goals are from headers, which are not strong point of Vietnamese strikers in general. The 25-year-old striker is now arguably one of the first names to fill in Vietnam squad for next AFF Cup.

Now look around to consider more candidates for forward position of Vietnam national team:

Huynh Kesley (Binh Duong)
Last year Golden Boot winner is still leading the 2010 race, with a total of 17 goals in all competitions so far. He is quite capable of winning a place in Vietnam squad but regarding the silence of VFF, it's still unknown if this Brazilian-born striker would be called up.
Chance to be selected: Unknown.

Le Cong Vinh (Ha Noi T&T)
Injured. It looks like it will take him about 6 months to recover so his chance to play AFF Cup 2010 is little. His form at club was also not good with only one goal this season.
Chance to be selected: Little

Nguyen Quang Hai (Khanh Hoa)
The Vietnam international is main scorer of Khanh Hoa this season with 6 goals so far. His chance to be included in Vietnam squad is quite bright.
Chance to be selected: High

Nguyen Viet Thang (Ninh Binh)
An important member of Vietnam winning last AFF Cup but still struggling to find himself at his new club. He will have a lot to do in the second phase of this season to convince Calisto for a place in Vietnam squad.
Chance to be selected: Decent

Hoang Dinh Tung (Thanh Hoa)
Young striker Hoang Dinh Tung is playing very well at his club but often struggle to show his best at international stage. He has a medium chance to play at AFF Cup 2010.
Chance to be selected: Medium

Luong Van Duoc Em (Dong Thap)
Many people believe Duoc Em has finally reached his potential this season. He can play not only as a striker but also a winger. Not to mention his ability to score goals from free-kicks. He has bright chance to be called up.
Chance to be selected: High

Phan Thanh Binh (DT Long An)
Once considered one of best young talents of Vietnamese football but sadly Thanh Binh of today can't play as well as he used to when 17 years old.
Chance to be selected: Very little

Pham Van Quyen (SLNA)
If Van Quyen doesn't improve his form, his chance for AFF Cup 2010 will be as much as Phan Thanh Binh's.
Chance to be selected: Very little

Some other names can spring some surprise: Ha Minh Tuan (Da Nang), Dinh Hoang Max (Hai Phong), Thach Bao Khanh (Thanh Hoa).

06 June 2010

V-league 2010 round 15: Da Nang break record in its worst game ever


'The worst performance of Da Nang I've seen' said Da Nang coach Le Huynh Duc following disappointing 1-1 draw between his club and Dong Thap. This draw is the 26th unbeaten game of Da Nang in V-League at its home stadium, the new record of V-league. However, it was a lucky game for Da Nang when their players underperformed and struggled against a determined Dong Thap side. As a consequence, Da Nang's bus was surrounded by angry fans when their players left the stadium. This result dropped them to the 3rd position in current league table.

Da Nang v Dong Thap: 1-1
Khanh Hoa v Ha Noi T&T: 1-3
Nam Dinh v Binh Duong: 0-2
Hoa Phat v HAGL: 1-1
Thanh Hoa v Hai Phong: 4-1
SLNA v DT Long An: 0-1
Ninh Binh v Navibank SG: 3-0

V-league clubs are going to have 3 weeks of holiday during World Cup 2010 time. V-league fixtures will be back on June 30.