Highlights: Dong Thap 3-2 Da Nang

V-League 2011 Round 2 Results

The highlight of this round was the beautiful game between Dong Thap and Da Nang. Despite playing on neutral ground, Dong Thap still managed to have a convincing victory. Dong Thap's Nigerian striker Samson made big contribution with a brace.

Hoa Phat 3-0 Thanh Hoa
Ha Noi ACB 1-2 Ha Noi T&T
Dong Thap 3-2 Da Nang
HAGL 1-2 Binh Duong
Khanh Hoa 1-0 DTLA
SLNA 3-1 Hai Phong
Ninh Binh 0-0 Navibank Saigon

V-League 2011 will continue on February 18 after a few weeks of Tet holiday.

V-League 2011 Preview

The 11th edition of V-League kicked off yesterday with exciting games, goals and promising players. Let's take a brief look at the preparation of each club for V-League 2011.

For full squad list, check it here.

1 -  Ha Noi T&T

Being V-League champions and Vietnamese representative in AFC Cup, Ha Noi T&T has strengthened its squad with some good local players including famous winger Thach Bao Khanh and young midfielder Van Quyet. Despite not having powerful attacking force, Ha Noi T&T is quite good at defending and teamwork that helped them win the last V-League. Entering the new season, the club is undoubtedly one of favourites for the title.

Foreigners: Gonzalo Marronkle (Argentina), Cristiano Roland (Brazil), Caue Benicio (Brazil) and Cherifou Yousseni (Togo).

2- Vicem Hai Phong

Hai Phong no longer has the service of some good players, particularly Leandro, who had been their inspiration for 3 years. They also doesn't has such powerful financial backing as last year. Therefore, the club has set its target as avoiding relegation despite they finished as runners-up last year. The biggest addition is the signing of 20-year-old striker Osas Idehen, who scored 2 goals for Nigeria.

Foreigners: Osas Idehen (Nigeria), Thiago da Rocha (Brazil), Aniekan Okon Ekpe (Nigeria), Mba Ukonu (Nigeria).

3 - TDCS Dong Thap

Always being a tough opponent for any V-League teams and always regarded as a favourite for relegated positions, Dong Thap is hard to predict. Finishing 3rd last year, however, as usual they lost a lot of good players after season ended. One exception is Samson Kayode, who decided to stay at the eleventh hour. Therefore, they will have to rely on young players and Nigerian imports now.

Foreigners: Samson Kayode (Nigeria), Sunday Ibeji (Nigeria), Felix Ajala (Nigeria), Adesope Hammed (Nigeria).

4 -  Khatoco Khanh Hoa

Khanh Hoa is always capable of staying in V-League but it's also known as an unambitious side.A middle position in the table will be suitable for them.

Foreigners: Ansah Issifu (Ghana), Mustapha Essuman (Ghana), Martin Trindade (Brazil), Agostinho (Brazil).


5 - Dong Tam Long An

V-League 2011 sees DTLA say good bye to two icons of the club, Phan Van Tai Em and Nguyen Minh Phuong. Some young players were promoted to first team to replace to these two experienced players. The club's strength lies at the attack that is led by some very good players.

Foreigners: Antonio Carlos (Brazil), Danny David Mrwanda (Tanzania), Abdi Kassim (Tanzania), Tshamala Kabanga (DR Congo).

6- SHB Da Nang

V-League 2009 champions still have a very quality squad and some good additions. They are one of favourites for the championship this year.

Foreigners: Gaston Merlo (Argentina), Nikolas Hernandez (Argentina), Kalifa Dembele (Mali), Emmanuel Eloh (Nigeria).

7- Hoang Anh Gia Lai

HAGL is a rich club with ambition. Their facilities are also number 1 in Vietnam. However, they has stopped spending big cash for some years. It seems the club is awaiting for the first set of young players that will graduate from their Arsenal-JMG Academy in next 3 years.

Foreigners: Evaldo Goncalves (Brazil), Benjamin Dzigba (Ghana), Allan Wanga (Kenya), Igwe Ejike (Nigeria).


8 - Becamex Binh Duong

Having best midfielders in V-league, Binh Duong is facing a big problem to decide who will play and a big unbalance in squad. They don't have a strong defense and a good scorer after Kesley Alves left the club. If the club can overcome their own problems, they can be the strongest club in Vietnam.

Foreigners: Lee Nguyen (USA), Leandro (Brazil), Philani (South Africa), Egbo Osita (Nigeria), Joseph Nwafor (Nigeria).

9- Song Lam Nghe An

Having won national cup last year, SLNA will play AFC this season. The club is well-known for being good at choosing foreign players. This year, they have signed 2 Jamaican international and one Ghana international. All have made some impression for recent games. A top-half finish is always possible.

Foreigners: Kavin Bryan (Jamaica), Devon Hodges (Jamaica), Diego Andre (Jamaica), Edmund Owusu Ansah (Ghana).

10 - Hoa Phat Ha Noi

Technically, Hoa Phat Ha Noi has a good squad but the club is an unambitious side. They will rely on brilliant goal-scoring ability of Timothy Anjembe to stay up.

Foreigners: Timothy Anjembe (Nigeria), Olushola Aganun (Nigeria), Cassiano Henrique (Brazil), Henry Kiseka (Uganda).


11 - The Vissai Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh also has a good squad and is always ready to challenge top Vietnamese clubs. They can finish among top half in V-league 2011.

Foreigners: Gustavo Dourado (Brazil), Rodrigo Mota Farias (Brazil), Kalu Uche (Nigeria), Adebowale Ogungbure (Nigeria).

12 - Lam Son Thanh Hoa

Thanh Hoa can be proud of many good young players they have. Uder right guidance, the club can be safe from relegation this year.

Foreigners: Pape Omar Faye (Senegal), Gilmar (Brazil), Emmanuel Sunday (Nigeria), John Wole (Nigeria).

13 - Navibank Sai Gon

Biggest spenders of V-League is the only representative from Sai Gon. They will want to take the chance to become top club of the city. Having many quality signings, Navibank Sai Gon can be a new force in V-League 2011.

Foreigners: Jose Emidio Almeida (Brazil), Francois Endene (Cameroon), Marcio Giovanini (Brazil), Leandro Cruz (Brazil).

14 -  Ha Noi ACB

The only promoted club is top favorite for relegation this year. Lack of investment, no addition of note, the only star is Pham Thanh Luong, who was Vietnamese Golden Ball winner in 2010.

Foreigners: Hassan Sesay (Sierra Leone), Lucas Cantoro (Argentina), Angelo Machuca (Paraguay), Jonathan Quartey (Ghana).

V-League 2011 kicks off

Ha Noi T&T also enjoyed victorious start.

V-League 2011 has started today with 7 games. The highlight was impressive 3-0 victory of Thanh Hoa over newly-promoted Ha Noi ACB.

Thanh Hoa 3-0 Ha Noi ACB
Da Nang 2-1 HAGL
Binh Duong 1-1 Ninh Binh
Navibank Saigon 0-0 Dong Thap
DTLA 2-2 SLNA
Ha Noi T&T 2-1 Hoa Phat Ha Noi
Hai Phong 1-0 Khanh Hoa

One more junior team

From this season on, SHB Da Nang has a youth team playing in Vietnamese football system. The junior SHB Da Nang, who will participate in the Second Division, would provide ideal chances for youngsters to play regularly. Two other clubs that have second teams playing in the league are Binh Duong and Ha Noi T&T.

Sai Gon Xuan Thanh kicked two V-league sides out of National Cup

The new club in Sai Gon has enjoyed some very good results recently as they defeated two tough V-League teams to advance to quarter-finals of National Cup. The first victory was 2-1 away win against Dong Thap and the second one was 2-0 against Dong Tam Long An. Alongside with Navibank Sai Gon, Sai Gon Xuan Thanh is the most busiest club in transfer market this season, strengthening its squad with a lot of good players including Kesley Alves and Le Phuoc Tu. They aim to get promoted to V-League next year and further become a new force of Vietnamese football.

Dong Thap and Samson to terminate contract

Nigerian striker Samson Kayode, who has been a hot name in transfer market this year, and his club Dong Thap have finally reached an agreement to end their current deal. The 23-year-old will pay his club US$300,000 as compensation for breaking contract. His next destination is expected to be V-League 2010 champions Ha Noi T&T. V-League 2011 will be his 5th season in Vietnam.

In order to find a replacement for Samson, Dong Thap has signed a one-year contract with French striker Younes Chaib, a former Genoa player.

Highlights: Ha Noi T&T 2-2 SLNA

Ha Noi T&T won Super Cup

Super Cup 2011
Ha Noi T&T 2-2 SLNA (4-2 pen.)

Despite leading 2-0 until 80th minute with goals scored by Ghana international Edmund Owusu-Ansah and Nguyen Trong Hoang, SLNA couldn't hold the advantage until the final whistle. Cao Sy Cuong scored the first goal for Ha Noi T&T before V-League champions equalized with a header by captain Cristiano during injury time. Therefore, the winner had to be determined by penalty shootout in which Ha Noi T&T became eventual winner.

The first game of season

Dong Nai Berjaya 0-3 Hoa Phat Ha Noi

The first match of 2011 season was played between Hoa Phat Ha Noi and Dong Nai Berjaya as the opening game of Vietnamese Cup this afternoon. Despite playing at home ground, Dong Nai Berjaya can't stop V-League side Hoa Phat Ha Noi from scoring three times without reply. Timothy Anjembe scored a brace while the last one was scored by Aganun.

Transfers Update

The V-League transfer window will close on January 22 while the First Division one will close two days earlier. The initial squad list was published on VFF website this morning. Therefore, the following transfers were officially confirmed. As every year, most of them are imports.

(This list covers notable ones only)

- Hoa Phat Ha Noi: Olushola Aganun (from Dong Thap), Tran Duc Cuong (Da Nang).
- The Vissai Ninh Binh: Kalu Uche (Abuja FC, not Kalu Uche in La Liga), Adebowale Ogungbure (Nigeria international).
- Thanh Hoa: Pape Omar Faye (FC Thun).
- Ho Chi Minh FC: Ivica Cokolic (TDC Binh Duong), Robson de Lima (TDC Binh Duong).
- Binh Dinh: Amaobi (An Giang - naturalized).
- Hai Phong: Tu Huu Phuoc (Khanh Hoa), Osas Idehen (Enyimba FC, Nigeria international).
- Huda Hue: Goran Gajic (Ha Noi ACB).
- Navibank Sai Gon: Nirut Surasiang (HAGL), Nguyen Hoang Vuong (Binh Duong), Phan Van Tai Em (DTLA), Nguyen Quang Hai (Khanh Hoa), Luong Van Duoc Em (Dong Thap), Francois Endene (Hoa Phat), Almeida (Da Nang), Marcio Giovanini (Mes Kerman).
- Sai Gon Xuan Thanh: Kesley Alves (Binh Duong), Le Phuoc Tu (Thanh Hoa), Tran Duy Quang (HAGL), Nguyen Minh Duc (Hai Phong), Truong Dinh Luat (Navibank Sai Gon), Nsi Amougou (Than Quang Ninh).
- Dong Tam Long An: Abdi Kassim (Tanzania international), Le Tostao (Thanh Hoa).
- Than Quang Ninh: Eduardo Furrier (Hoa Phat).
- Ha Noi ACB: Lucas Cantoro (Potenza - Italia Serie C1)
- Khanh Hoa: Martin Trindade (Hai Phong).
- Da Nang: Kalifa Dembele (Thanh Hoa), Nguyen Minh Phuong (DTLA), Nguyen Ngoc Thanh (Hai Phong).
- Binh Duong: Leandro (Hai Phong), Joseph Nwafor (Abuja FC).
- HAGL: Allan Wanga (FK Baku, Kenya international).
- Ha Noi T&T: Matias Recio (Da Nang), Thach Bao Khanh (Thanh Hoa).
- SLNA: Edmund Owusu-Ansah (Heart of Lions, Ghana international), Kavin Bryan (Harbour View, Jamaica international), Peter Ijeh (Syrianska, Nigeria international).

Kesley is now officially at Sai Gon Xuan Thanh

Sai Gon Xuan Thanh, a brand new club playing in the First Division, is the new club of Kesley Alves after leaving Binh Duong. I have always doubted this but it is now official and I'm sure they have offered Kesley a very lucrative contract. It is said that the naturalized striker will get 10,000US$ per month.