T&T set for Da Nang showdown

Comeback: Top striker Le Cong Vinh (right) of Ha Noi T&T will be back in action after a prolonged injury. — VNS Photo Quang Thang

HA NOI — The national football league resumes play today after a three-week Tet holiday break with a match between defending champions Ha Noi T&T and SHB Da Nang in the capital city.

The match is considered entrepreneur Do Quang Hien's own personal derby, as the businessman owns both teams.

The winner of the game will receive a huge bonus from Hien, who has urged both teams to compete in the spirit of fair play.

This is only the third season that Ha Noi T&T have been completing in the V-League- Eximbank Cup, but they have always won against Da Nang when playing at home.

In addition, Ha Noi T&T are in high spirits following victories in the first two matches of the season. They currently top the table, while Da Nang stand sixth following a victory and a loss.

Ha Noi T&T's fire power received a substantial boost today with the news that top national team striker Le Cong Vinh will be in the line up for the match, his first match after an injury eight months ago.

Vinh said he was very keen to get back into action.

"I have totally recovered and feel very strong," he said. "I hope I can play with the same skill as before my injury."

Vinh's return is a major boost for the team, which is seeking to extend its lead in the league.

Coach Phan Thanh Hung revealed that he added Vinh to the list of substitutes for today's game, and the striker will be allowed to play if he is needed.

"It is possible that Vinh will come off the bench," said Hung. "I will give him a chance to compete but it is not good for him if he is forced to play too much."

Apart from Vinh, T&T are also welcoming back former national player Thach Bao Khanh, who was rested for a month due to an ankle injury. Khanh, who joins the club from Thanh Hoa, is a tough midfielder and will make Hung's line-up more solid.

Former champs Da Nang also boast a strong line up. In preparation for the season, coach Le Huynh Duc has brought home several top players, including former national team captain Nguyen Minh Phuong.

Phuong will be a key player during the match, along with Argentinean Gaston Merlo who was the top goal scorer during the last two seasons and has scored twice already this season.

Duc and his players travelled to Ha Noi on Wednesday to familiarise themselves with the capital city's cold.

In the other matches tomorrow, Ha Noi ACB will play Hoang Anh Gia Lai at Hang Day; Vicem Hai Phong will face Dong Thap at Hai Phong's Lach Tray Stadium; hosts Ninh Binh will meet former champions Dong Tam Long An in Ninh Binh Province; Lam Son Thanh Hoa will clash with Navibank Sai Gon at Thong Nhat Stadium in HCM City; two-time winner Becamex Binh Duong host dark horses Khatoco Khanh Hoa at Go Dau, and in Vinh, Song Lam Nghe An welcome Hoa Phat Ha Noi. — VNS

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Da Nang dethroned at National U.21 tourney

Defending champions Da Nang were dethroned in the final round of the National U.21 football championship after a 1-1 tie with Nghe An in their last Group B stage game in Pleiku on Tuesday.

After a 1-2 defeat to An Giang on Friday and a 2-2 tie with Dong Nai on Sunday, Da Nang had to win the match against Nghe An to advance to the semifinals of the 14th edition of the Thanh Nien-sponsored competition.

However, the task was made even more difficult for Da Nang when Nghe An took the lead midway through the first half.

Da Nang, who won two consecutive championships of the country’s major youth football event in 2008 and 2009, could only manage an equalizer in the final minute of the game.

With the Tuesday victory and a 3-1 win over An Giang on Sunday, Nghe An, who claimed three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002, finished second behind Dong Nai, who beat Nghe An 1-0 on Friday and An Giang 1-0 on Tuesday.

In the semis, Dong Nai will meet Binh Dinh while Nghe An will clash with hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai for a place in the final match to be played on Sunday, October 17.

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Heavy defeat dims Da Nang’s AFC Cup chances

Vietnam’s V-League 2009 champs Da Nang suffered a 0-3 away defeat to Bahrain’s Al Riffa in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup quarterfinal’s first leg on Tuesday September 14.

Not having their best players in the squad and playing an away match against a superior team, Da Nang coach Le Huynh Duc had his players play defensively.

After a dangerous attack from Al Riffa, Da Nang settled down somewhat, displaying better skills. They produced two clear chances but Argentine striker Nicolas Hernandez and Thanh Hung failed to get the ball past custodian Al Mansoor.

Al Riffa were not very impressive, but against the run of play, they scored a goal 15 minutes after the break when midfielder Ahmed Alajmi fired a low shot past Da Nang goalkeeper Van Hanh.

The goal boosted Jose Rocha’s players and they played with more gusto, but were unable to dent the Vietnamese defense further.

However, the visitors showed signs of exhaustion as the game was drawing to an end; and Al Riffa capitalized with two goals in the final minutes.

The heavy loss makes it very hard for Da Nang to book a berth in Asia’s second-tier contest AFC Cup this year.

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Heavy defeat dims Da Nang’s AFC Cup chances

Vietnam’s V-League 2009 champs Da Nang suffered a 0-3 away defeat to Bahrain’s Al Riffa in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup quarterfinal’s first leg on Tuesday September 14.

Not having their best players in the squad and playing an away match against a superior team, Da Nang coach Le Huynh Duc had his players play defensively.

After a dangerous attack from Al Riffa, Da Nang settled down somewhat, displaying better skills. They produced two clear chances but Argentine striker Nicolas Hernandez and Thanh Hung failed to get the ball past custodian Al Mansoor.

Al Riffa were not very impressive, but against the run of play, they scored a goal 15 minutes after the break when midfielder Ahmed Alajmi fired a low shot past Da Nang goalkeeper Van Hanh.

The goal boosted Jose Rocha’s players and they played with more gusto, but were unable to dent the Vietnamese defense further.

However, the visitors showed signs of exhaustion as the game was drawing to an end; and Al Riffa capitalized with two goals in the final minutes.

The heavy loss makes it very hard for Da Nang to book a berth in Asia’s second-tier contest AFC Cup this year.

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