K-League Challenge side Anyang FC interested in Pham Thanh Luong

(Credits: Ha Noi T&T)

The outstanding display of the 27-year-old winger at 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup has caught the eye of Korean football club Anyang FC who finished at 5th position in the last edition of K-League Challenge (second tier in South Korean football league system). The official social media account of Ha Noi T&T FC has reported about the enquiry from the Korean but stressed the player's irreplaceable status would block any potential move.

Pham Thanh Luong joined Ha Noi T&T in 2013, winning first V-League title in the same year.

HAGL meet expectations, SLNA in shocking defeat

Results from 2015 V.League 1 - Round 1:

HAGL 4-2 Sanna Khanh Hoa
The much anticipated side HAGL kicks off new season on a high note with a home victory over newly promoted boys Sanna Khanh Hoa. Expectations were met as U19 internationals Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Tuan Anh and Luong Xuan Truong all found their name on the score sheet.

SLNA 0-3 Hai Phong 
Unexpected result between two rivals. The young SLNA side led by debuting coach Ngo Quang Truong succumbed to an unacceptable defeat right at Vinh stadium. Hai Phong's Jamaican striking pair Errol Stevens and Andre Fagan both found the net.

Becamex Binh Duong 6-1 Dong Thap
Even without a number of senior players, the defending champions prove too good for their ill-prepared neighbours. Nevertheless, it still needs a tougher test to see real strength of the AFC Champions League hopefuls.

Thanh Hoa 2-1 SHB Da Nang
Can Tho 0-0 Quang Nam
Ha Noi T&T 1-1 Dong Tam Long An
Dong Nai 0-2 Than Quang Ninh

List of foreign players in the 2015 V.League

V.League 1

BECAMEX BINH DUONG FC
Abass Dieng (Senegal)
Moses Oloya (Uganda)
Ganiyu Oseni (Nigeria) - from Dong Tam Long An
Dual nationality:
Theophilus Esele (Nigeria/Vietnam)
Michal Nguyen (Vietnam/Czech) - from Banik Most FC
Dang Van Robert (Vietnam/Slovakia)

XSKT CAN THO
Adrian Valentic (Croatia) -from SHB Da Nang
Luiz Henrique (Brazil) -from Dong Nai
Dual nationality:
Rodgers Nandwa (Kenya/Vietnam) -from Dong Nai

SHB DA NANG
Melquiades Candelario (Spain) -from Dong Nai
Anto Pejic (Croatia)

DONG NAI FC
Christian Amougou (Cameroon)
Peter Omoduemuke (Nigeria) -from Than Quang Ninh
Dual nationality:
Kesley Alves (Vietnam/Brazil)

DONG THAP FC
Felix Ajala (Nigeria) -from An Giang
Samson Kpenosen (Nigeria)
Dual nationality:
Benoit Tcheuko (Cameroon/Vietnam)

HA NOI T&T
Gonzalo Marronkle (Argentina)
Hughtun Hector (Trinidad & Tobago)
Daneil Cyrus (Trinidad & Tobago)
Dual nationality:
Samson Olaleye (Nigeria/Vietnam)

HAI PHONG FC
Andre Fagan (Jamaica)
Errol Stevens (Jamaica)
Dual nationality:
Issifu Ansah (Ghana/Vietnam)

HOANG ANH GIA LAI
Darko Lukanovic (Sweden)
Mitja Morec (Slovenia)

DONG TAM LONG AN
Souleymane Diabate (Mali) -from Can Tho
Rafael dos Santos Lima (Brazil)

QNK QUANG NAM
Henry Kisekka (Uganda)
Patiyo Tambwe (DR Congo) -from An Giang
Dual nationality:
Dio Preye (Nigeria/Vietnam) -from Ninh Binh

THAN QUANG NINH
Bernardo Jhonatan Mariano (Brazil) -from SHB Da Nang
Geoffrey Kizito (Uganda)
Dual nationality:
Maxwell Eyerakpo (Vietnam/Nigeria) -from An Giang

SANNA KHANH HOA
Tales Kanu (Brazil)
Uche Iheroume (Nigeria) -from Than Quang Ninh

SONG LAM NGHE AN
Koen Bosma (Netherlands)

THANH HOA FC
Timothy Anjembe (Nigeria) -from HAGL
Danny van Bakel (Netherlands)
Dual nationality:
Jonathan Quartey (Ghana/Vietnam)

V.League 2
No foreigners allowed in 2015 season.

Vietfootball moving to social network

Dear friends,

Thank you all for your support so far. In order to make better connection, Vietfootball will be now on social network. Vietnamese football news will be updated on the Facebook and Twitter page more frequently than on this website. You can find us by following below links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VNFootBall
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErickBui

Thank you,
Erick Bui

Ruslan Kuang, perfect replacement for Quang Thanh?

As Huynh Quang Thanh, Vietnam's first choice at right-back position, is definitely ruled out of upcoming AFF Cup due to injury, it is surely a big blow for the national team. Who could be reliable enough to be his replacement?

Doan Viet Cuong will likely be called up for the task but do we have another option? What about Ruslan Kuang, who started 18/30 games at right-back position in the top league of Bulgaria? Just my two cents.

Michal Nguyen approached by VFF

Vietnamese-Czech centre back Michal Nguyen was reportedly offered to play for Vietnam national team at AFF Suzuki Cup 2012. The 22-year-old is currently playing for Czech second-tier club Banik Most and had a couple of appearances last season. Although Michal can't speak Vietnamese, he's tempted by Vietnam's offer and is in process of acquiring Vietnamese citizenship through his father's root.

Another Czech-based player, Mac Hong Quan, is member of Vietnam U22 squad. Despite the team's disappointing display at AFC U22 Championship qualifiers in Myanmar, the 20-year-old midfielder showed some signs of quality. His contract with Sparta Prague B has expired earlier this month.

Don't forget to check out my list of foreign-based Vietnamese footballers.

Czech-based player included in Vietnam U22 squad

Mac Hong Quan, who is playing for Sparta Prague B, was named in the final 23-man squad of Vietnam U22. The 20-year-old striker made 4 appearances for Sparta Prague B last season, scoring 2 goals right in his debut.

Danh sách cầu thủ
TT	Họ và tên	Năm sinh	Số áo	Vị trí	Địa phương
1	Trần Bửu Ngọc	1991	1	Thủ môn	TĐCS Đồng Tháp
2	Lâm Ấn Độ	1991	24	Thủ môn	TDC Bình Dương
3	Nguyễn Văn Hưng	1991	25	Thủ môn	CLB  Hà Nội
4	Nguyễn Xuân Hùng	1991	6	Hậu vệ	Hà Nội T&T
5	Nguyễn Tiến Duy	1991	3	Hậu vệ	Than Quảng Ninh
6	Trần Đình Hoàng	1991	4	Hậu vệ	SLNA
7	Dương Thanh Hào	1991	2	Hậu vệ	TĐCS Đồng Tháp
8	Nguyễn Thanh Hiền	1993	18	Hậu vệ	TĐCS Đồng Tháp
9	Nguyễn Hữu Phúc	1991	23	Hậu vệ	Trẻ BĐ Hà Nội
10	Lê Xuân Anh	1993	27	Hậu vệ	Thanh Hoá
11	Đỗ Văn Thuận	1992	29	Tiền vệ	CLB Hà Nội
12	Nguyễn Hải Huy	1991	7	Tiền vệ	Than Quảng Ninh
13	Lê Quốc Phương	1991	19	Tiền vệ	Thanh Hoá
14	Ngô Hoàng Thịnh	1992	8	Tiền vệ	SLNA
15	Huỳnh Văn Thanh	1992	14	Tiền vệ	SQC Bình Định
16	Trần Bảo Anh	1991	12	Tiền vệ	ĐTLA
17	Ngân Văn Đại	1992	20	Tiền đạo	CLB Hà Nội
18	Nguyễn Đình Bảo	1991	15	Tiền đạo	Trẻ BĐ Hà Nội
19	Hà Minh Tuấn	1991	9	Tiền đạo	Trẻ SHB Đà Nẵng
20	Giang Trần Quách Tân	1992	28	Tiền đạo	Trẻ SHB Đà Nẵng
21	Nguyễn Trung Tín	1991	17	Tiền đạo	TDC Bình Dương
22	Nguyễn Văn Quyết	1991	10	Tiền đạo	Hà Nội T&T
23	Mạc Hồng Quân	1992	34	Tiền đạo	Sparta Prague B

Upcoming friendlies

June 17th: Vietnam U22 vs Maldives U22 (in Bangkok)
June 19th: Vietnam U22 vs Thailand U22 (in Bangkok)
June 23rd: Vietnam NT vs Mozambique NT (in Ho Chi Minh City)

Hong Kong vs Vietnam

Friendly: Hong Kong vs Vietnam (June 10)

Hong Kong can be considered a neighbor for Vietnam as the distance between two countries is only 700 kilometers. However, because of being member of different sub-confederations, we don't have much connection in terms of football.

Hong Kong is a city-state on southern coast of China. Its area is about one thirds of Hanoi and population is about 7 million. Despite being considered a part of China, Hong Kong has its own national team due to a principle called 'One country, two systems'. I find Hong Kong share a lot in common with Singapore, in many aspects.

Hong Kong national team is also on par with The Lions. It was proved when Hong Kong defeated Singapore 1-0 in a recent friendly. One of Hong Kong best players is Chan Siu Ki, who has 32 goals in 40 caps for his nation. Chan Siu Ki is a striker of top Hong Kong club South China and he has been a member of national team since 2004. However, he is likely to be absent in the friendly vs Vietnam. Like Singapore, Hong Kong also has some naturalised players such as Godfred Karikari (Ghana), Jack Sealy (England) and Bai He (China).

In history, Vietnam has played Hong Kong once, losing 0-1 in an away friendly game nearly 10 years ago.

My prediction: A draw is not a bad result for Vietnam, given that it is an away game and Vietnam has just had a single resting day after China game.

Vietnam U19 to play friendly tournament in Palestine

The tournament, which is called Al-Nakba: From cataclysm to Statehood, will features 10 youth teams from Vietnam, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Mauritania, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and hosts Palestine. It will last from May 14th to 22nd.

HAGL's Akpan wants to be Nigeria No.1

By EPHRAIM NWOSU | Mar 28, 2012

Former  Golden Eaglets goalkeeper, Bassey Akpan,  who currently plays for Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC of Vietnam has declared his readiness to  battle  the like of Vincent Enyeama and Chigozie Agbim for Super Eagles No. 1 shirt. The ex- Heartland keeper who spoke from his base in Vietnam during an exclusive telephone chat with SoccerStar boasted that he had what it takes to man the Super Eagles goal post if invited  by Coach Stephen Keshi.

Nigeria will be  playing three games  in three weeks in June, starting with the World  Cup qualifier against Namibia and Malawi  slated for June 2 and 9 respectively. They will also confront  Rwanda  on June16 in the second leg match of the 2013 African Cup  of Nations qualifying match and Akpan said he wanted to be a part of the action in the three straight qualifying  games.

He said: ''My game has really improved since I came  to Vietnam. So, can I beat my chest that that I am now a better goalkeeper.”

 The national coaches should give me a chance to be a part of  their squad now that I am on top of my game. I think I am equal to the task any time I am called up by the coaches.

“The keepers that are already are good, but I deserve to come and compete for shirt.''

Akpan, it would be recalled, was Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper in the 2010 WAFU  Cup won by Nigeria.

Cambodian club to play friendly with Sai Gon FC

Cambodian side Preah Khan Reach FC are going to have two friendlies with Vietnamese clubs. They will first play against Ninh Thuan FC on April 1st before playing Sai Gon FC at Thong Nhat Stadium on April 4th. Sai Gon FC are currently ranked 3rd in Super League while Preah Khan Reach are leading in C-League table.

South African internationals on trial in Vietnam

Reports from South Africa have confirmed that Toni Nhleko and Reason Chiloane are currently in Vietnam for trials with Vietnamese clubs. Yet club names are not revealed.

Fikru Tefera to leave Thanh Hoa

Tefera's agent Ivica Stankovic has confirmed that the Thanh Hoa striker is likely to leave the club at this transfer window. Despite being given many chances to play, the Ethiopian international failed to prove himself in Super League. He's likely on the move without scoring any goal for Thanh Hoa.

Emil Le Giang trials in Vietnam

Slovakia-Vietnamese forward Emil Le Giang, who was trained in top Slovakian club MSK Zilina and German side Nurnberg, is now in Vietnam, seeking chances with Vietnamese clubs. He is going to have trial with Ha Noi T&T, Vicem Hai Phong and a few clubs in southern Vietnam.

Register window open

Register window for second phase of Super League 2012 is due to be open on March 30th. Vietnamese clubs have four weeks to add new players to their squad before it's closed on April 26th. There will be no break during this period like every year. The fixtures will go on normally and the season break is moved to June when Vietnam U22 and Vietnam national team have international fixtures.

Fact about Sai Gon FC

Since established in late 2010, Sai Gon FC (formerly known as Sai Gon Xuan Thanh) has played 40 games in all domestic competitions, losing only 3.

Sai Gon FC's defeats:

Feb 12, 2011: SLNA 4-2 Sai Gon FC (Vietnam Cup)
July 16, 2011:Tay Ninh 3-1 Sai Gon FC (First Division)
August 7, 2011: Sai Gon FC 2-3 Binh Dinh (First Division)

Highlights: Sai Gon FC 2-0 Ha Noi FC

Kelantan 0-0 Navibank Saigon

Navibank Saigon held MSL champions Kelantan FA to a draw in their opening Group H match at the Bukit Jalil Stadium. Unlike hopeless SLNA, Navibank Saigon fielded their best players last night.

Navibank Saigon line-ups: Phan Van Santos, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Doan Viet Cuong, Vincent Bossou,Nguyen Minh Triet, Dang Khanh Lam (Huynh Duc Nghia 93'), Phan Van Tai Em, Luong Van Duoc Em (Nguyen Duy Khanh 70'), Aniekan, Edison Fonseca, Nguyen Van Nghia (Ngyen Cao Thien 86').

If you don't want to play, you can withdraw

It's better than sending your reserve team to play continental games. It's disrespect.

SLNA squad for AFC Cup 2012