Managerial change rumours

*Hai Phong head coach Vuong Tien Dung was reported to have rejected an extension of his contract. Rumour said he will come back to Ha Noi to take charge of Ha Noi T&T in 2011.

*Ha Noi T&T head coach Phan Thanh Hung may come back to his old club Da Nang to replace under-pressure Le Huynh Duc next season.

*Binh Duong is interested in Le Huynh Duc and wants to bring him to Go Dau Stadium next season. Binh Duong bosses are very impressed by his high level of squad discipline.

*Kiatisuk Senamuang's future at HAGL is under question. The board may look for a more experienced coach while Kiatisuk hinted at a Thailand return.

Duong Ngoc Hung resign

Binh Duong head coach Duong Ngoc Hung has resigned from his position after only 18 days in charge. Under his reign, Binh Duong earned only 4 points in 5 games. The latest heavy 1-5 defeat to Khanh Hoa has put an end to Duong Ngoc Hung's short spell at Chelsea Vietnam. His assistant, Portuguese coach Luis Morgado Rodrigues, was appointed as new coach of Binh Duong.

Duong Ngoc Hung is the third coach losing his job at Binh Duong in this season. The other two are Mai Duc Chung and Dang Tran Chinh.

Duong Ngoc Hung take hot seat

It's announced today that Duong Ngoc Hung will replace Dang Tran Chinh as Binh Duong coach. Before linked with Binh Duong, he had been in charge of Binh Dinh FC, a club playing in the First Division.

One-time U.S. phenom Nguyen enjoying life in Vietnam League

An article about American-Vietnamese player Lee Nguyen on sportsillustrated.cnn.com published on July 15 by Joshua Robinson.

One-time U.S. phenom Nguyen enjoying life in Vietnam League

Once in a while, someone in the Dutch town of Eindhoven would walk up to Lee Nguyen and ask for his autograph. Then, once he moved to Randers, Denmark, he became more recognizable -- most of the 60,000 residents knew enough to spot a player from their hometown club. So he was used to signing a couple of jerseys, smiling for a few pictures. Yet he was completely unprepared for what happened last season.

When Nguyen moved to Vietnam in 2009 to play for Hoang Anh Gia Lai, he instantly shot to superstardom. Fans mobbed him in shopping centers and tried to grab his clothes outside stadiums. They stopped him on the street for photographs wherever he went. And, within 12 months of moving there, he was on the cover of Dan Ong, Vietnam's answer to GQ. All in all, it made life pretty good for the 23-year-old Nguyen.

"The status that I have here is awesome and kind of fun," he says with a self-conscious chuckle. "Here, it's not just one city. The whole country knows who I am."

It has been five years since Nguyen turned his back on Major League Soccer and three since he earned his three and only caps for the U.S. National team. And with stops in the Netherlands, Denmark and now Vietnam, he is taking an unorthodox route to get back in the picture -- one that has just happened to make him a rockstar on the other side of the world.

Nguyen first turned heads after a breakout freshman season at Indiana and his performance at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships in the Netherlands. Impressed with Nguyen's ability on the ball, PSV Eindhoven's manager at the time, Guus Hiddink, signed him to the club. "It was big news in Vietnam when I joined PSV," he says. "There's no one in Vietnam who's really broken out of Asia."

But over the next two years, he languished in the reserves, making only one appearance for the senior side. Then, when Hiddink left, his replacement, Ronald Koeman, told Nguyen he was not in his plans. In 2008, he continued his European travels with Randers F.C. in Denmark, where he started about half the games. Nguyen was just beginning to feel comfortable, he said, when he was yet again marginalized by the arrival of a new coach at the end of the season -- he did not seek a contract extension of his one-year deal.

When an offer came from Vietnam in 2009, he took the biggest -- and furthest -- leap of his career. Curious about pursuing a new opportunity while reconnecting with his heritage, he joined Hoang Anh Gia Lai, a club based in Pleiku, smack in the sweltering, humid center of the narrow country. Because players in Southeast Asia tend to be smaller, they are more technically-oriented and keep the ball on the ground. It seemed to suit Nguyen perfectly. Playing as a withdrawn striker or as an attacking midfielder, Nguyen had 12 goals and 16 assists in 24 games before packing his bags after a disagreement with Hoang Anh Gia Lai's coach. Still, his season was good enough for the fans to vote him the second-best player in the country in a league poll.

He moved to Binh Duong F.C. outside of Ho Chi Minh City, where he is trying to help the club to a third V-League title in four years -- it currently sits third in the standings. But before committing to it, he tried to return to the United States. However, when he got down to negotiating a contract with MLS, the league would not offer him anything above the minimum for five years ($17,500 per year). He was willing to take a pay cut, just not by that much.

"I guess they held a grudge against any players turning down MLS and then going overseas and trying to come back," says Nguyen, whose deal in Vietnam allowed him to help pay his sister's tuition at Texas Christian University.

MLS does not discuss the specifics of contract negotiations, but the league's player personnel director, Todd Durbin, denied there was any sort of grudge. "We make this very clear to the players," he said, "if they choose to decline our offer and start their career in Europe, they shouldn't assume that offer will still be on the table if they decide to come back." Durbin added that the offer was based on what MLS officials had seen of Nguyen during his time abroad.

So Nguyen stayed in Vietnam, even if it meant remaining a little further out of sight. The V-League, which unfolds 11 time zones away without much of a reputation, doesn't show up much on national team coach Bob Bradley's radar. "I know that it's going to be harder for me to break back in and get another shot, because I'm not being seen as much," says Nguyen. "But I'm only 23."

In the meantime, Nguyen is soaking in the country he only ever heard of from his Vietnamese parents. Though he had only been there once before, the move felt like a homecoming. Nguyen spoke the language as a child in Dallas and, with his teammates refusing to speak anything else to him, it has all come rushing back to him out of necessity. Still, the transition was never going to be easy. His father moved to the Far East with him to help him adjust.

And the experience has been full of surprises. For instance, Nguyen didn't expect the clubs to be just as family-oriented as Vietnamese society. Players take all their meals together, spend most of their time as a group, and report to the team's complex or hotel two full days before every game. Away from the field, Nguyen also took a while to understand how so many of his teammates could drink three or four cups of strong coffee a day and still embrace the afternoon siesta. Just one of those, he says, was enough to keep him wired all day.

"I'm starting to get used to the living here and the culture," he adds after more than a year there. "It's definitely a lot more relaxed."

Nguyen is one of five foreigners on the club, according to Binh Duong coach Hiep Nguyen Van. The others, also seduced by the rapidly growing V-League and the country's low cost of living, come from Brazil, South Africa and Nigeria.

"On paper, to my club, I'm a foreigner," he says. "But the people have accepted me as Vietnamese and I hang out with all the Vietnamese players. Even some of the crazy fans, they say, 'Hey, you're not American, you're Vietnamese, man.'"

Dang Tran Chinh may quit Binh Duong job

Binh Duong coach Dang Tran Chinh is believed to have given his resignation letter to his bosses.

After last three disappointing games, Binh Duong earned only a single point that was considered very poor results given the quality of the squad. Although the club is currently only two points behind league leader Ha Noi T&T and the title race is wide open, Dang Tran Chinh is thought to be under huge pressure from many sides including fans and his own players. His resignation has not been granted yet but Binh Duong board will consider it seriously if Binh Duong fails to defeat SLNA in the next fixture.

Although Dang Tran Chinh was the one who has inspired Binh Duong to record many impressive victories since the departure of Mai Duc Chung, it's not easy for the Sai Gon man to keep his job at such demanding post of Binh Duong. Three coaches have been removed from this position since 2009 season.

Binh Duong under Dang Tran Chinh's reign:
3-1 Navibank Saigon
4-0 Khanh Hoa
2-0 Da Nang
1-2 Dong Thap
3-1 Hai Phong
5-2 Thanh Hoa
1-0 Nam Dinh
1-1 HAGL
2-3 Dong Tam Long An
2-4 Hoa Phat

V-league 2010 round 14: Binh Duong stars shine

Binh Duong v Thanh Hoa: 5-2
Ha Noi T&T v Hoa Phat: 1-2
HAGL v Khanh Hoa: 1-0
Dong Thap v Nam Dinh: 2-0
DT Long An v Ninh Binh: 3-1
Navibank Sai Gon v SLNA: 0-0
XM Hai Phong v Da Nang: 3-1

The first round of second phase saw Binh Duong completely outplayed Thanh Hoa at Go Dau stadium. Huynh Kesley scored a hattrick while on-form striker Nguyen Anh Duc contributed 2 goals. Binh Duong new signing Lee Nguyen also had an outstanding debut as he created 3 goals. This victory helped Binh Duong climb to the top position of the table. 'Chelsea Vietnam' currently have the best attacking power in the league, with averagely 2.3 goals scored per game.

Another big name SHB Da Nang was defeated 1-3 by a brilliant Hai Phong. The host created series of chances and deservedly won the game. Hai Phong captain Leandro was unsurprisingly man of match yesterday.

A total of 97,000 fans have attended 7 games yesterday, averagely 13,857 per game, is the new record of this season.

Davi Rancan may move to Binh Duong

According to this article on goal.com, 28-year-old Brazilian defender Davi Rancan, who is under contract with South Africa Premier League side Moroka Swallows, is currently having a trial with Binh Duong. He is likely to become Binh Duong's second signing after Lee Nguyen in this summer. V-League transfer window will be opened next month.

AFC Cup: Da Nang won after extra time

Da Nang v Binh Duong: 4-3 (Merlo (2), Duy Lam, Hung Son - Anh Duc, Philani, Kesley)

A thrilling encounter ended as a victory for home team Da Nang. The scoreline was 2-2 after 90 mins and Merlo put Da Nang in front with his second goal in the first half of extra-time. However, Kesley quickly scored the third goal to equalize for Binh Duong. When fans and both sides thought the winner would be determined by penalty-shooting, Da Nang's super substitute Doan Hung Son scored the winning goal at the last minute of extra-time to send the home fans into rapture. Da Nang advanced to the quarter-finals of AFC Cup 2010!

Binh Duong defeated Da Nang to go top

Binh Duong v Da Nang: 2-0 (Anh Duc, Kesley)
Goals and highlights

Binh Duong deservedly earned an important 2-0 victory over V-League defending champions Da Nang this afternoon. South African player Philani shined as he contributed two perfect assists to his team. On-form striker Nguyen Anh Duc scored the opening goal with a header and the second goal came from Huynh Kesley at 94th minute.

Two biggest games of the season

V-league 2009 champions Da Nang have traveled to Binh Duong to prepare for a crucial V-league clash against the host on May 7. The winner of tomorrow game will surely have a big advantage in the title race. Da Nang are currently staying on the top of V-league table after a thrilling victory over Hoa Phat while Binh Duong are right behind.

Go Dau stadium is likely to be full tomorrow and nearly 20,000 fans would be a major boost for Binh Duong in this big game. History also stands on Binh Duong's side because Da Nang has never got a good result here. One more factor that makes Binh Duong fans believe in a victory is the excellent form of their attackers who scored 16 goals in last 4 games.

Yet, it's not everything both sides set their mind to. Just 4 days later, one more Da Nang - Binh Duong match will be played at Chi Lang stadium. The one-off AFC Cup game will determine who will represent Vietnam in the quarter-finals of this tournament. However, for many Vietnamese fans and both teams, this game is also considered the second leg of the final of 2010 season. In 2009, Da Nang won V-League title but their achievement was outshined by Binh Duong' success in AFC Cup. Da Nang was also known as a very poor and humiliated performer when playing continental competitions. So, this game will be the best chance for Da Nang to prove their domination in Vietnam as well as regaining some reputation.

Let's wait and see.

Recent results:

Da Nang v Binh Duong: 3-3
Binh Duong v Da Nang: 4-1
Da Nang v Binh Duong: 1-1
Binh Duong v Da Nang: 2-0
Da Nang v Binh Duong: 1-0

Mai Duc Chung sacked

Binh Duong's head coach Mai Duc Chung was fired by his bosses yesterday after Binh Duong had suffered its third defeat in 8 games of this season. He was replaced by his assistant Dang Tran Chinh, who joined the club one month ago.

Mai Duc Chung is a popular coach in Vietnam for he led Vietnam U23 team to success in Olympic 2008 Qualifiers and championship in Merdeka Cup 2008. Binh Duong was his first charge at club level when he joined the club last year. During his spell at Binh Duong, Duc Chung helped his club reach the semi-final of AFC Cup 2009 but failed to defend V-league title.

Lee Nguyen start training with Binh Duong

USA international Lee Nguyen had his first training day with his new club Becamex Binh Duong on April 1. In a short interview, he revealed that he really loves to play for the V-League 2009 runner-up and wants to help Binh Duong win trophies. He also relishes the chance of playing football in continental competitions such as AFC Cup. Meanwhile, Binh Duong's coach Mai Duc Chung held his new signing in very high regard. He said Lee would be an ideal addition to his club in the second phase of V-League.

images from bongda.com.vn and zing.vn

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.

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.

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

Binh Duong's Molina found dead in hotel

Binh Duong's Argentine midfielder Gaston Eduardo Molina, who was a member of SHB Da Nang winning V-league 2009 title, was found dead in a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday. The cause was initially believed to be drug overdose.

Molina was an important player of SHB Da Nang when the club won the 2009 title. However, Molina joined Binh Duong in September 2009 after he had been released by his old club due to lack of discipline. As a Binh Duong's player, he made big contribution to help his club reach the semi-final of AFC Cup 2009.

AFC Cup 2010: Binh Duong draw, Da Nang win

Selangor (Malaysia) v Binh Duong: 0-0
Match Report

Binh Duong were more than pleased with the outcome as lady luck and brilliant GK The Anh saved them from losing last night. The whole squad did not seem to be at their best fitness. Traveling from Khanh Hoa to Sai Gon by coach just 3 days ago, flying to Malaysia and keep traveling to Selangor by coach again, Binh Duong didn't not have best preparation. Some Vietnamese newspaper criticized their poor performance but I think a draw was fair as Selangor played pretty well in the second half.

I could not watch this match but managed to find a Malaysian live radio report. Of course I did not understand anything the commentator said except some players' names. Especially when the match was coming to the end, I could not remember how many times he shouted "Safee Sali!!!!" and the noise from the crowds made me think Selangor had scored at least some goals. A goalless draw is not a bad result for Binh Duong at all.

Other result from group H: Victory (Maldives) v Sriwijaya (Indonesia): 0-0
A bit surprise that Sriwijaya was held to a draw.

Thai Port v SHB Da Nang: 2-3

It seemed an interesting game. Da Nang's Argentine duo Gaston Merlo and Niko contributed 2 goals while Vietnam international Phan Thanh Hung scored the third one. It was a very good result for Da Nang. It will certainly help them ease the criticism from media.

Clip: Thai Port 2-3 Da Nang

Other result from group H: Geylang (Singapore) v Taipo (Hong Kong): 1-1

Duc Chung’s sights set on Selangor

Duc Chung’s sights set on Selangor

PETALING JAYA – Binh Duong may have enjoyed an impressive run to the semi-finals of last season's AFC Cup but the Vietnamese side are looking no further than Tuesday's opening Group F clash with Selangor when they begin their 2010 campaign.

The current V-League leaders will take on Malaysian Super League (MSL) table toppers at the Shah Alam Stadium keen to get off to the best possible start.

However, Binh Duong head coach Mai Duc Chung (pictured) warned that even without foreign players bolstering their ranks, Selangor will still prove a handful for his men.

“Selangor have current Malaysian internationals and also several under-23 players, who won the SEA Games last year when they beat Vietnam in the final,” he said.

“Selangor have also won the Malaysia Cup 32 times, so we have to give them the respect they are due even though they will be playing without foreigners.

“For us, the target is to play well in every game that we are in. As professionals, we have a duty to play well in all competitions rather than targeting to win just one championship.”

Other than their three imports – Brazilian Elenildo De Jesus, Philani Kubheka from South Africa and Nigerian Egbo Osita - Binh Duong can call on naturalised striker Huynh Kesley Alves to lead the line.

The team will also be bolstered by the presence of Vietnam defender and skipper Huynh Quang Thanh as well as midfielder Nguyen Vu Phuong.

Meanwhile, Selangor head coach K. Devan believes a disciplined performance will see his side come out on top.

“I think that what will make the difference in the match will be the foreigners, so we will have to adapt the right strategy to shackle them,” he said.

“If we can keep to our tactical discipline, then I think that we can walk away with the right result.”

Binh Duong thrashed MSL side Kedah in the last 16 last year but Devan feels that result will have no bearing on the encounter.

“I don’t think that it is right to compare results. You are only as good as your last game, so we have to treat each match differently,” he said.

Skipper Amri Yahya was also quietly confident, adding: “It is important that we play as a team and if we can do that, we should be able to take this one. There are no injuries in the team at the moment, so that is at least a positive factor.”

Da Nang and Binh Duong squad for AFC Cup 2010

Becamex Binh Duong squad:

S.No	Player Name	Jersey No	Position
1	NGUYEN THE ANH	1	GK
2	DANG DINH DUC	13	GK
3	TRAN MINH QUANG	16	GK
4	NGUYEN HOANG VUONG	2	DF
5	TRAN THANH TUNG	3	DF
6	TRAN CHI CONG	4	DF
7	LUONG MINH TRUNG	12	DF
8	EGBO OSITA	15	DF
9	TRUONG VAN HAI	17	DF
10	HUYNH QUANG THANH	20	DF
11	CHAU PHONG HOA	24	DF
12	NGUYEN VU AN	25	DF
13	NGUYEN MINH CHUYEN	5	MF
14	NGUYEN VU PHONG	6	MF
15	TRAN TRUONG GIANG	8	MF
16	ELENILDO DE JESUS	9	MF
17	NGUYEN HUU THANG	14	MF
18	NGUYEN VAN LINH	21	MF
19	PHUNG CONG MINH	22	MF
20	KESLEY HUYNH ALVES	7	FW
21	KUBHEKA PHILANI BHEKIZIZWE LANCELOT	10	FW
22	NGUYEN ANH DUC	11	FW
23	NGUYEN DUC THIEN	26	FW

SHB Da Nang squad:

S.No	Player Name	Jersey No	Position
1	VO VAN HANH	1	GK
2	NGUYEN THANH BINH	13	GK
3	TRAN DUC CUONG	25	GK
4	CAO CUONG	2	DF
5	NGUYEN QUOC THANH	3	DF
6	TRAN VAN HOC	4	DF
7	VO HOANG QUANG	5	DF
8	CHAU LE PHUOC VINH	6	DF
9	LE QUANG CUONG	12	DF
10	TRAN HAI LAM	15	DF
11	PHAN DUY LAM	21	DF
12	NGUYEN HUU HUNG	28	DF
13	LE VAN HOANG	29	DF
14	PHAN THANH PHUC	7	MF
15	VO NGOC QUOC	9	MF
16	NGUYEN VAN MEO	11	MF
17	PHAM NGUYEN SA	14	MF
18	ROGERIO MACHADO PEREIRA	16	MF
19	NGUYEN DINH ANH PHUC	17	MF
20	TRUONG QUANG TUAN	18	MF
21	PHAN THANH HUNG	19	MF
22	HUYNH QUOC ANH	23	MF
23	NGUYEN THANH TRUNG	24	MF
24	NICOLAS HERNANDEZ	8	FW
25	HA MINH TUAN	10	FW
26	LE THANH XUAN	26	FW
27	MERLO SEBASTIAN GASTON	27	FW

Squad list of other teams can be found HERE.

Binh Duong sign record sponsorship deal

'Chelsea Vietnam' has just agreed a record sponsorship deal with Maritime Bank. As part of the one-year contract, Maritime Bank trademark will be put on Binh Duong jersey while the club will receive USD 800,000 from its sponsor in return.

Binh Duong FC, which is financially backed by Becamex IDC, is known as one of richest clubs in Vietnam. With the new deal with Maritime Bank, the club will have USD 4 mil in budget for 2010 season.