31 July 2011
Vietnam U19 to play BIDC Cup
Vietnam U19 will be sent to Cambodia to take part in BIDC Cup 2011 which lasts from October 8th to 16th. The competition includes U21 sides from Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and a Chinese club. These friendly games will be a good chance for young Vietnamese players to prepare for Asian Cup U19 qualification in late October.
28 July 2011
24 July 2011
23 July 2011
Vietnam, new 'Mecca' of Nigerian Footballers
TANA AIYEJINA
Nigerian footballers were first choice with teams like Ajax and Arsenal but now just any team any where would do, writes 'TANA AIYEJINA in this special report.
In the mid 1980s, former Super Eagles captain Stephen Keshi started the mass exodus of Nigerian players to Belgium. Having been banned alongside some other players for reporting late to camp by the Nigerian Football Association, in 1984. Keshi moved to Cote d'Ivoire in 1985 and played first for Stade d' Abidjan and then Africa Sports.
His impressive performances caught the eye of Belgian side Lokeren, who snapped him up in 1986.Again he impressed there and in no due course, opened the door for multitudes of other Nigerian players to play football in the European country. In fact, Belgium was then referred to as the 'Mecca of Nigerian footballers.'
Today, there's a new trend. Nigerian players are now flooding the lowly Vietnamese league for greener pastures, an indication of the dwindling fortunes of the country's footballers.
According to statistics, Brazil and Nigeria dominate the list of foreign players in the Asian country.
While Brazil has 19 players in the V-League, as the Vietnamese topflight is known, Nigeria comes second with 13 players. In the first division, both countries have 15 players each.
The likes of former U-23 captain Adebowale Ogungbure, another former U-23 defender Ejike Izuagha and Olusola Aganun, who was once a hit in the Austrian topflight, now ply their trade in Vietnam.
Well, some may argue that the above mentioned players may be in their prime and are in Vietnam for their final pay day having played previously in Europe. But what about the likes of 2007 U-17 World Cup winner Ganiyu Oseni, Osas Idehen (21), 2005 Nigerian league top scorer and former Lobi Stars striker Timothy Anjembe, Onome Sodje (22) and other youngsters who have flocked the country for greener pastures?
The players have made their impact felt positively on the pitch, though. At the moment, Samson Kayode, who plays for Dong Thap, is the third highest scorer in the V-League with 13 goals. Abdullahi Suleiman, who plays for first division An Giang is also third in the lower league with 11 goals.
What makes Vietnam a lucrative market for Nigerian and other foreign footballers there?
Well, it's not far-fetched. Despite Vietnam being a poor country, foreign footballers earn considerably well. Last season alone, about 70 foreigners competed for 14 V-League teams with monthly salaries of between US$5,000 and $12,000.
Aganun, who was recruited by Dong Thap FC with a salary of around $3,000 last year, recently signed for Hoa Phat Ha Noi after a successful season, where he netted 10 goals for Dong Thap.
The former Wacker Tirol powerful forward is reported to have signed for the Hanoian team for a salary of around $7,000 a month.
Anjembe, who played for Dong Thap last year, also moved to Hoa Phat Ha Noi after a good season.
"Nigerian players are here (Vietnam) because of money," Anjembe, who has carved a niche for himself in the V-League says. "And again, the facilities here are better than what you have in Nigeria."
Former Charlton Athletic striker, Sodje, a nephew to Super Eagles defenders, Efe and Sam Sodje, admits that the standard of football in Vietnam is not comparable to what obtains in England but says the players are happy with the pay package.
He says, "Yes, the standard of the league here is not as high as in England but they pay good money to compensate for it. Football is a short career and a lot of footballers don't have a clue on what they will be doing when they retire. I don't want to be part of that group.
"I am just happy to be playing again and I like the football here because we train a lot. Football is getting harder by the second in England and Europe. There are a lot of players in Europe who are eager to come here. I am living a free life here and playing a game I love so much."
Foreign footballers actually have made the V-League more competitive since the Vietnam Football Federation launched its professional league in 2001 and allowed teams to offer contracts to foreign players.
This season, the VFF issued regulations restricting V-League teams to a maximum of four foreign players, three of whom are allowed to play at a time.
The last two years has also seen a growth in teams offering contracts to naturalised foreign players who do not affect the foreign-player quota.
In effect this means that V-League teams are permitted to play one foreign-born player, in addition to three foreign passport holding players.
In May, Amaobi Uzowuru who plays for Binh Dinh was among five foreign footballers granted citizenship by the Vietnamese government having lived in the country for at least five years. Consequently he adopted a Vietnamese name and he is now known as Dang Amaobi.
However, it's not been a bed of roses for Nigerian footballers there as some of them are reportedly roaming the streets of major cities of Vietnam after they were unable to secure contracts in the Asian country.
Nigerian footballers were first choice with teams like Ajax and Arsenal but now just any team any where would do, writes 'TANA AIYEJINA in this special report.
In the mid 1980s, former Super Eagles captain Stephen Keshi started the mass exodus of Nigerian players to Belgium. Having been banned alongside some other players for reporting late to camp by the Nigerian Football Association, in 1984. Keshi moved to Cote d'Ivoire in 1985 and played first for Stade d' Abidjan and then Africa Sports.
His impressive performances caught the eye of Belgian side Lokeren, who snapped him up in 1986.Again he impressed there and in no due course, opened the door for multitudes of other Nigerian players to play football in the European country. In fact, Belgium was then referred to as the 'Mecca of Nigerian footballers.'
Today, there's a new trend. Nigerian players are now flooding the lowly Vietnamese league for greener pastures, an indication of the dwindling fortunes of the country's footballers.
According to statistics, Brazil and Nigeria dominate the list of foreign players in the Asian country.
While Brazil has 19 players in the V-League, as the Vietnamese topflight is known, Nigeria comes second with 13 players. In the first division, both countries have 15 players each.
The likes of former U-23 captain Adebowale Ogungbure, another former U-23 defender Ejike Izuagha and Olusola Aganun, who was once a hit in the Austrian topflight, now ply their trade in Vietnam.
Well, some may argue that the above mentioned players may be in their prime and are in Vietnam for their final pay day having played previously in Europe. But what about the likes of 2007 U-17 World Cup winner Ganiyu Oseni, Osas Idehen (21), 2005 Nigerian league top scorer and former Lobi Stars striker Timothy Anjembe, Onome Sodje (22) and other youngsters who have flocked the country for greener pastures?
The players have made their impact felt positively on the pitch, though. At the moment, Samson Kayode, who plays for Dong Thap, is the third highest scorer in the V-League with 13 goals. Abdullahi Suleiman, who plays for first division An Giang is also third in the lower league with 11 goals.
What makes Vietnam a lucrative market for Nigerian and other foreign footballers there?
Well, it's not far-fetched. Despite Vietnam being a poor country, foreign footballers earn considerably well. Last season alone, about 70 foreigners competed for 14 V-League teams with monthly salaries of between US$5,000 and $12,000.
Aganun, who was recruited by Dong Thap FC with a salary of around $3,000 last year, recently signed for Hoa Phat Ha Noi after a successful season, where he netted 10 goals for Dong Thap.
The former Wacker Tirol powerful forward is reported to have signed for the Hanoian team for a salary of around $7,000 a month.
Anjembe, who played for Dong Thap last year, also moved to Hoa Phat Ha Noi after a good season.
"Nigerian players are here (Vietnam) because of money," Anjembe, who has carved a niche for himself in the V-League says. "And again, the facilities here are better than what you have in Nigeria."
Former Charlton Athletic striker, Sodje, a nephew to Super Eagles defenders, Efe and Sam Sodje, admits that the standard of football in Vietnam is not comparable to what obtains in England but says the players are happy with the pay package.
He says, "Yes, the standard of the league here is not as high as in England but they pay good money to compensate for it. Football is a short career and a lot of footballers don't have a clue on what they will be doing when they retire. I don't want to be part of that group.
"I am just happy to be playing again and I like the football here because we train a lot. Football is getting harder by the second in England and Europe. There are a lot of players in Europe who are eager to come here. I am living a free life here and playing a game I love so much."
Foreign footballers actually have made the V-League more competitive since the Vietnam Football Federation launched its professional league in 2001 and allowed teams to offer contracts to foreign players.
This season, the VFF issued regulations restricting V-League teams to a maximum of four foreign players, three of whom are allowed to play at a time.
The last two years has also seen a growth in teams offering contracts to naturalised foreign players who do not affect the foreign-player quota.
In effect this means that V-League teams are permitted to play one foreign-born player, in addition to three foreign passport holding players.
In May, Amaobi Uzowuru who plays for Binh Dinh was among five foreign footballers granted citizenship by the Vietnamese government having lived in the country for at least five years. Consequently he adopted a Vietnamese name and he is now known as Dang Amaobi.
However, it's not been a bed of roses for Nigerian footballers there as some of them are reportedly roaming the streets of major cities of Vietnam after they were unable to secure contracts in the Asian country.
16 July 2011
Nam Dinh 2-10 Than Quang Ninh
Nam Dinh suffered a shocking defeat against Than Quang Ninh this afternoon. This could be a new record of highest scoring game of Vietnamese football.
Nam Dinh, who were among Vietnamese elite clubs during the first half of last decade, are now fighting to avoid relegation in the First Division. It's sad story about a long-standing club that suffered from poor management.
Nam Dinh, who were among Vietnamese elite clubs during the first half of last decade, are now fighting to avoid relegation in the First Division. It's sad story about a long-standing club that suffered from poor management.
V-league Round 22: Ha Noi T&T record biggest win
SHB Da Nang 0-0 LS Thanh Hoa
Hanoi T&T 7-1 Dong Thap
SLNA 0-1 Binh Duong
Navibank Saigon 0-1 DT Long An
Hai Phong 2-3 Vissai Ninh Binh
While SLNA suffered first home defeat, Hanoi T&T set a new record of biggest victory of V-League 2011 to move to second place. The defending champions are now 4 points behind SLNA with a game in hand.
Hanoi T&T 7-1 Dong Thap
SLNA 0-1 Binh Duong
Navibank Saigon 0-1 DT Long An
Hai Phong 2-3 Vissai Ninh Binh
While SLNA suffered first home defeat, Hanoi T&T set a new record of biggest victory of V-League 2011 to move to second place. The defending champions are now 4 points behind SLNA with a game in hand.
14 July 2011
Evaldo hit 20th goal
Since V-League was born in 2000, only two players have reached more than 20 goals per season. They were Kesley Alves (21 goals in 2005) and Jose Emidio Almeida (23 goals in 2008). Another Brazilian Evaldo Goncalves has scored his 20th goal of season yesterday. With 5 rounds left in the V-League 2011, HAGL hitman has a lot of chances to become top scorer of V-League 2011 and surpass his countrymen.
Quickest goal record?
Defender Nguyen Thanh Long Giang scored a goal at 47th second in Navibank Saigon's 2-0 victory over Vicem Hai Phong yesterday. It's likely the quickest goal record of V-League.
Navibank Saigon's second goal yesterday was scored by another defender, Vincent Bossou, a member of Togo national team selected for African Cup of Nations 2010.
Navibank Saigon's second goal yesterday was scored by another defender, Vincent Bossou, a member of Togo national team selected for African Cup of Nations 2010.
13 July 2011
V-League round 21: SLNA widen gap
LS Thanh Hoa 2-3 SLNA
Hoa Phat 1-1 Dong Thap
Binh Duong 2-0 Hanoi ACB
Navibank Saigon 2-0 Hai Phong
Vissai Ninh Binh 1-1 Hanoi T&T
Khanh Hoa 2-1 SHB Da Nang
DT Long An 4-3 HAGL
Hoa Phat 1-1 Dong Thap
Binh Duong 2-0 Hanoi ACB
Navibank Saigon 2-0 Hai Phong
Vissai Ninh Binh 1-1 Hanoi T&T
Khanh Hoa 2-1 SHB Da Nang
DT Long An 4-3 HAGL
12 July 2011
Saigon Xuan Thanh won First Division
Saigon Xuan Thanh has won First Division 2011 after beating Can Tho 7-3 this afternoon. As a result, the Saigon-based club got promoted to V-League next season. There are still 5 rounds to go in the second tier of Vietnamese football.
Saigon Xuan Thanh is a new club in Ho Chi Minh City. Its former name was Xuan Thanh Ha Tinh, a club based in Ha Tinh province before it was moved to the biggest city of Vietnam in late 2010. Alongside with the relocation, the club was much strengthened with a number of good signings like Huynh Kesley, Le Phuoc Tu and Nguyen Minh Duc.
Saigon Xuan Thanh is a new club in Ho Chi Minh City. Its former name was Xuan Thanh Ha Tinh, a club based in Ha Tinh province before it was moved to the biggest city of Vietnam in late 2010. Alongside with the relocation, the club was much strengthened with a number of good signings like Huynh Kesley, Le Phuoc Tu and Nguyen Minh Duc.
10 July 2011
V-League round 20: SHB Da Nang retains title hope
DT Long An 0-2 Ha Noi T&T
DT Long An sank deeper at the bottom as Ha Noi T&T got closer to top.
Khanh Hoa 1-1 Navibank Saigon
Still no victory for Khanh Hoa.
Thanh Hoa 4-1 Binh Duong
Senegalese striker Pape Omar Faye bagged 4 goals to help Thanh Hoa trounce visitors.
SHB Da Nang 3-1 SLNA
Convincing win over rival brought home side back to title race.
Dong Thap 3-0 Ha Noi ACB
Samson Kayode scored a brace for Dong Thap while Ha Noi ACB failed to earn first away point.
Hoa Phat Hanoi 2-1 Vissai Ninh Binh
Home team got a crucial victory in relegation battle with an injury-time winning goal.
HAGL 4-2 Vicem Hai Phong
HAGL bounced back from last heavy defeat with a big win against Hai Phong, who extended terrible away results.
DT Long An sank deeper at the bottom as Ha Noi T&T got closer to top.
Khanh Hoa 1-1 Navibank Saigon
Still no victory for Khanh Hoa.
Thanh Hoa 4-1 Binh Duong
Senegalese striker Pape Omar Faye bagged 4 goals to help Thanh Hoa trounce visitors.
SHB Da Nang 3-1 SLNA
Convincing win over rival brought home side back to title race.
Dong Thap 3-0 Ha Noi ACB
Samson Kayode scored a brace for Dong Thap while Ha Noi ACB failed to earn first away point.
Hoa Phat Hanoi 2-1 Vissai Ninh Binh
Home team got a crucial victory in relegation battle with an injury-time winning goal.
HAGL 4-2 Vicem Hai Phong
HAGL bounced back from last heavy defeat with a big win against Hai Phong, who extended terrible away results.
04 July 2011
Qatari naturalised players
Vietnam's next opponent is Qatar, host of Asian Cup 2011 and World Cup 2022. It has a population of just 1.6 mil. Moreover, expats form 3/4 of its population. This can tell why Qatari football relies much on naturalization. As can be seen form the list below, Qatar is one of leading nations in the trend of naturalizing players to strengthen its national team.
BRAZIL
Marcio Emerson
Marcone
Fábio César
GHANA
George Kwasi
Lawrence Awuley Quaye
GUINEA
Daniel Gouma
IRAQ
Ali Mejbel
KUWAIT
Talal Al-Bloushi
Wesam Rizik
SAUDI ARABIA
Mohamed Saqr
Majdi Siddiq
Saad Al Shammari
SENEGAL
Qasem Burhan
Abdulla Koni
Malick Baba
URUGUAY
Sebastián Soria
YEMEN
Mesaad Al-Hamad
But wait! Vietnam may have less oil than Qatar but in terms of naturalizing footballers, we are on par. Check our list of 19 Vietnamese naturalized players!
03 July 2011
Le Cong Vinh becomes Vietnam's all-time top scorer
With 5 goals against Macau today, Le Cong Vinh has scored 31 goals in 45 appearances for Vietnam national team, breaking the record of 30 goals held by Le Huynh Duc. He also set a new record of most goals scored in one game.
Macau 1-7 Vietnam
Le Cong Vinh found the net 5 times while Nguyen Quang Hai anh Huynh Quang Thanh scored one each. Vietnam won 13-1 on aggregate.
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