Song Lam beat Hoa Phat to secure top position

Saigon Xuan Thanh, Binh Dinh top First Division after three games       

Navibank Saigon’s Almeida (L) celebrates his goal against Thanh Hoa with teammate Endene during their V-League match at Thong Nhat Stadium on Saturday - Photo Ba Chau

HCMC – Song Lam Nghe An secured the top spot in the third round of the V-League – Eximbank 2011 after beating Hoa Phat Hanoi 2-1 at Vinh Stadium on Saturday, while Hanoi ACB were still at the bottom of the table as they suffered a third consecutive loss. 

Song Lam started without Hoang Helio and captain Nguyen Huy Hoang in their line-up while Hoa Phat Hanoi, with their strongest players, dominated the game from the beginning and Timothy Anjembe opened for the visitors in the 12th minute.

The visiting side continuously attacked their opponents in the first half, however, Timothy, Thanh Trung and Kisekka missed all scoring chances, leaving the first half ended 1-0.

Song Lam Nghe An put pressure on Hoa Phat’s defending line in the second half and Fagan Andre Diego helped the home side to level in 52nd minute.

The game went to controversy in the 58th minute as Nguyen Ngoc Anh was sent off after receiving the second yellow card while Hoa Phat Hanoi had to play with 9 men when Nguyen Ngoc Tu and Timothy Anjembe were also sent off by the red cards in the chaotic case.

Kavin Eltroy Bryan scored the goal in the 85th minute, sealing a 2-1 victory for Song Lam Nghe An.

However, the clash between SHB Danang and defending champions Hanoi T&T and Becamex Binh Duong and Khatoco Khanh Hoa in the round attracted much attention from the public as the four teams are strong favorites to win the league title.

The four teams wanted a victory to consolidate their position in the ranking table.  Moreover, Binh Duong, SHB Danang, Hanoi T&T and Dong Tam Tiles also stand neck-and-neck in the ranking table.

The national football league resumed play on Friday after a three-week Tet holiday with a match between defending champions Hanoi T&T and SHB Danang in the capital city.

The defending champions dominated the game and created several chances to score, however, their players missed all chances. Danang missed the real chance to open the score when Hernandez’s powerful strike was saved by goalie Duong Hong Son in the first half.

After the break, Hanoi T&T continued to control the ball, but they missed several chances to score. Danang surprisingly took the lead in the 65th minute when Phan Thanh Hung scored the opener.

Vietnamese top striker Le Cong Vinh who suffered an injury for 10 months came off the bench in the 80th minute and the match became more exciting. However, Gaston Merlo scored the second goal in injury time, giving a 2-0 victory for Danang.

Meanwhile, Becamex Binh Duong suffered a 1-3 loss to Khatoco Khanh Hoa in their home town to drop to ninth position with four points from one win, one draw and one loss. Khatoco Khanh Hoa climbed to third position with six points.

With the victory, Song Lam Nghe An snatched the top of the V-League from Hanoi T&T with seven points from two wins and one draw while Hoa Phat Hanoi dropped to 10th with three points from three games. 

SHB Danang, Khatoco Khanh Hoa and Hanoi T&T now have six points each but SHB Danang moved to the second thanks to goal difference  

Saturday’s other games, XM The Vissai Ninh Binh lost 1-2 to Dong Tam Long An Tiles in the northern province of Ninh Binh, Navibank Saigon defeated Thanh Hoa 3-1 at Thong Nhat Stadium, Vicem Haiphong tied 1-1 with Dong Thap at Lach Tray Stadium in Haiphong. 

Hanoi ACB suffered the third loss in the season when the promoted team lost 1-3 to Hoang Anh Gia Lai in their home ground at Hang Day Stadium. The bottom-placed Hanoi ACB have no point after three games.

* SQC Binh Dinh and Saigon Xuan Thanh still remained in the top place of Vietnam’s First Division 2011 after beating their opponents in the third round over the weekend, while the bottom-placed Hanoi had only one point after three games.

Saigon Xuan Thanh beat An Giang 2-0 at Thong Nhat Stadium in the late game on Sunday. Nguyen Ngoc Thanh and Oloya Moses scored for their team in the 23rd and 76th minutes.

Meanwhile, Binh Dinh beat Hanoi 1-1 in the central coast city of Qui Nhon on Friday.

 Saigon Xuan Thanh and Binh Dinh secured nine points from three wins each, but the HCMC-based team took the lead thanks the goal difference, leaving them two points clear of rival Kienlongbank KG, who beat Quang Nam 2-0 in the central city of Tam Ky.

In other games on Friday, Can Tho tied goalless with Nam Dinh in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, Huda Hue crushed TDC Binh Duong 3-0 at Tu Do Stadium, Tay Ninh defeated Quang Ninh Coal 1-0 in the southern province of Tay Ninh and HCMC Club did the same with Dong Nai at Thong Nhat Stadium.

Round 3’s Results

V-League

Ninh Binh 1 Dong Tam Tiles 2

Navibank Saigon 3 Thanh Hoa 1

Binh Duong 1 Khanh Hoa 3

Hanoi ACB 1 Hoang Anh 3

Song Lam       2 Hoa Phat 1

Hanoi T&T 0 SHB Danang 2

The Cong 1 Nam Dinh 0

First Division

Saigon Xuan Thanh 2 An Giang 0

Can Tho 0 Nam Dinh 0

Huda Hue 3 TDC Binh Duong 0

Quang Nam 0 Kienlongbank KG 2

Binh Dinh 2 Hanoi 1

Tay Ninh 1 Quang Ninh 0

HCMC Club 1 Dong Nai 0

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Thanh Hoa coach receives V-League touchline ban

Coach Le Thuy Hai of Thanh Hoa will be banned for two matches after his reaction to a referee decision.

Hai exchanged angry words with referee Ngo Quoc Hung during a match between his team and Hoa Phat Ha Noi three weeks ago. As a result of the altercation, Hai will be banned from the touchline when his team host Navibank Sai Gon at Thong Nhat Stadium tomorrow and for the following fixture against Ha Noi T&T in the capital city next Friday.

Referee Hung suspended the match for five minutes and gave Hai a red card that sent the coach to the stands.

Hai will also have to pay a VND5 million (US$230) fine to the Viet Nam Football Federation's Disciplinary Department.

Vietnamese hotshots to play in world pool tournament

Viet Nam will send two representatives to the World 8-ball Pool Championship in Dubai, UAE, on February 19-26.

Nguyen Phuc Long and Do Hoang Quan have received an invitation from the organisers as they are among Asian leading players.

The 112 cueists will be divided into 14 groups playing in a round robin format which will start on Sunday to next Thursday.

Two top players in each group will advance to the knock-out round. The winner will be awarded US$40,000. — VNS

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National Cup semifinalists through

HCMC –Saturday’s victors, Thanh Hoa, Song Lam Nghe An, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Navibank Saigon reached the semifinals of Vietnam’s 2011 National Football Cup.

Top Vietnamese League team, Song Lam Nghe An, beat first division team, Saigon Xuan Thanh, 4-2 in the central city of Vinh. Saigon Xuan Thanh started the game with Huynh Kesley, Lucas,  Nguyen Dinh Luat and Nguyen Thanh Trung in their line-up.

The HCMC-based team put pressure on Song Lam’s defensive line from the beginning resulting in a Huynh Kesley goal in the 10th minute with a penalty kick. Ngoc Anh leveled the score for Song Lam just two minutes later.

Striker Nguyen Duy Quang scored for the visitors in the 19th minute before Thierry leveled for the home side in the 62nd minute. Nguyen Quang Tinh and Kavin made sure Song Lam Nghe An advanced to the semifinals with two goals in the 67th and 68th minutes.     

Hoang Anh Gia Lai gained another ticket on the day after beating Khatoco Khanh Hoa 3-1 in the central coast city of Nha Trang. Nguyen Tang Tuan netted two goals for the visitors in the second and 30th minutes and Le Van Truong scored one goal in the 19th minute while Nguyen Manh Tu scored the only goal for the home side in the 43rd minute.

On the same day, Thanh Hoa secured the third ticket to the semifinals after eliminating XM The Vissai Ninh Binh 3-1 in a penalty shootout. The game was locked 1-1 at the end of official time. Dinh Hoang Max had opened for The Vissai Ninh Binh in the 50th minute and Trinh Quang Vinh then leveled for Thanh Hoa just seven minutes later.    

Navibank Saigon secured the last semifinal ticket as they beat Becamex Binh Duong 10-9 in a penalty shootout to decide the 1-1 draw. Hoang Anh Gia Lai will play Song Lam Nghe An on August 10 in Pleiku City, and Thanh Hoa will meet Navibank Saigon on the same day in HCMC.

The final will be held in the northern province of Ninh Binh on August 27.

Vietnam’s National Football Cup 2011 drew 27 teams from the country’s V-League and First Division, competing in a knock-out format.

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Thanh Long stadium rumored to be sold

An authority told Tuoi Tre Sunday that the 10ha Thanh Long Sports Center in Ho Chi Minh City is soon to be handed over to a banking tycoon for management.

The source which wanted anonymity said there will be a change in the management board at the Thanh Long Culture and Sports Services Limited Liability Company which currently manages the Center in Binh Chanh district.

Tuoi Tre contacted the center's current owner - Mr. Quach Thanh Lai, nicknamed Hung who spent around VND150 billion (US$7.7 million) building the Center in 2001.

But Hung said he had no information to reveal to the press for now.

However, the anonymous businessman told Tuoi Tre that he and Hung have signed a memo about transferring the center.

“We haven’t signed the final negotiation, but it is expected to be done at the end of this month”.

He said that if the transfer is successful and he is the new boss, he would keep the center unchanged.

“But it’s hard to say anything about the future as I have no experience about sports”, the source added.

One year ago, the center was supposed to be transferred to the city Culture, Sports and Tourism Department but the department had little interest because it wanted to encourage private enterprises to invest in sports.

The reason for the transfer was cited as Hung’s poor health condition.

Thanh Long Center consists of four football fields including one with a dome and international-standard lighting system for night matches. In addition, the center has four mini artificial grass pitches, one pool and four tennis courts.

It also boasts one 1,200-seat theatre, 6 restaurants, four 3-star hotels with 180 rooms and other entertainment facilities.

Many international competitions have been held here including U-20 ASEAN 2007 and Asia Female Qualifier 2008.

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Thanh Hoa coach ready for fresh new challenges

Glory days: Le Thuy Hai lifts the V-League coach of the year 2008 trophy after helping Binh Duong win consecutive titles. He now coaches Thanh Hoa. — VNA/VNS Photo Quoc Khanh

HA NOI — When he signed up as coach of Lam Son Thanh Hoa, Le Thuy Hai knew he would have difficulties.

However, after two months, he has come across more problems than he expected, but he is not complaining.

Several senior players have resigned to join other teams and many of the younger players need much improvement.

"Everyone can see our problem. Many senior players have gone, I have to work with juniors who are competing in their place – and continue to train more," Hai said.

"I realised their were difficulties when I signed the contract, but as a coach I accepted the challenge to make things perfect."

After the 2010 season ended, several of Thanh Hoa's qualified players, including national team member Le Phuoc Tu and midfielders Tran Anh Tuan and Khanh Lam, left to other clubs.

Meanwhile naturalised Vietnamese player Le Tostao and three other foreigners also said goodbye.

Their departure pushed Thanh Hoa to the brink. The problem could have become worse as some others also expressed a desire to quit. However, when Hai became coach, he persuaded them to stay.

He is known for his strong personality and is respected by players.

Under his management, Thanh Hoa have lured talented midfielder Trinh Phong Thu from Ha Noi ACB and Anh Tuan from Hai Phong.

Halfback Trong Hai has also returned home after two years playing for Ha Noi T&T.

"We still lack players, but I have just signed contracts with two foreign players – a striker and a midfielder. We are testing some newcomers and need one more forward and one defender," Hai said.

The 64-year-old who has won several titles with other clubs, now wants to succeed with a low-ranked team. This was major reason for him signing Thanh Hoa despite receiving many other offers.

"A coach is not so necessary with a highly qualified team. Earning success with these teams does not surprise anyone," said Hai.

"I like to conquer challenges, that is why I am here. Once I made my choice, I did not complain, because it would not solve the problems.

"People can evaluate me through my activities and the results," Hai added. — VNS

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Thanh Hoa coach likes a challenge

HA NOI – When he signed up as coach of Lam Son Thanh Hoa, Le Thuy Hai knew he would have difficulties.

However, after two months, he has come across more problems than he expected, but he is not complaining.

Several senior players have resigned to join other teams and many of the younger players need much improvement.

"Everyone can see our problem. Many senior players have gone, I have to work with juniors who are competing in their place – and continue to train more," Hai said.

"I realised their were difficulties when I signed the contract, but as a coach I accepted the challenge to make things perfect."

After the 2010 season ended, several of Thanh Hoa's qualified players, including national team member Phuoc Tu and midfielders Anh Tuan and Khanh Lam, left to other clubs.

Meanwhile naturalised Vietnamese player Le Tostao and three other foreigners also said goodbye.

Their departure pushed Thanh Hoa to the brink. The problem could have become worse as some others also expressed a desire to quit. However, when Hai became coach, he persuaded them to stay.

He is known for his strong personality and is respected by players.

Under his management, Thanh Hoa has lured talented midfielder Phong Thu from Ha Noi ACB and Anh Tuan from Hai Phong.

Halfback Trong Hai has also returned home after two years playing for Ha Noi T&T.

"We still lack players, but I have just signed contracts with two foreign players – a striker and a midfielder. We are testing some newcomers and need one more forward and one defender," Hai said.

Hai who has won several titles with other clubs, now wants to succeed with a low-ranked team. This was major reason for him signing Thanh Hoa despite receiving many other offers.

"A coach is not so necessary with a highly qualified team. Earning success with these teams does not surprise anyone," said Hai.

"I like to conquer challenges, that is why I am here. Once I made my choice, I did not complain, because it would not solve the problems.

"People can evaluate me through my activities and the results," Hai added. – VNS

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Vietnam coach talks tactics ahead of Malaysia semis

Vietnam's coach Henrique Calisto

Photo: Tuoi Tre

Vietnam’s coach Calisto said his side have made careful drills for the first-leg semifinal clash at the Suzuki Cup with Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur today despite the absence of four key players due to injuries.

“There will be apparent changes in the tactics of Vietnam during the first-leg semifinal match with Malaysia due to the absence of four key players -- or a third of the team,” the Portuguese Henrique Calisto said.

Who are on the bench today?

Without defenders Viet Cuong and Quang Thanh and midfielders Trong Hoang and Tai Em, we can’t introduce our strongest line-up for this important game.

They will need at least 10 more days to recover.

I know Malaysia also face injuries but I don’t care much about that. My biggest concern now is to introduce our best team possible.

It seems that you made many changes during training in the past days?

Exactly. Minh Phuong will replace Tai Em in the midfield to pair with Thanh Hung in the center. Hung is strong in making long shots and surprising rivals to stir up disorder in their box with his dribbling skill.

Dinh Dong is set to fill in the left-back of Viet Cuong and Huy Hoang may replace Quang Thanh on the right-back position.

You venture yourself with the changes, don’t you?

No. They are based on precise considerations and actual abilities of my players.

Can you guess the playing style of Malaysians?

They may attack at the beginning to promote their advantage of playing on their home land. Besides, they can’t resort to defense as they still have a second-leg game in Hanoi.

I guess Malaysians may also apply tough style of playing to neutralize short passes of Vietnam and leave no space for the visitors.

What will you do then?

My advice to my players is to keep calm and patience. The tough style of playing by Malaysians will facilitate Vietnam in deploying counterattack which is our advantage.

We set up a target of finding point(s) from this encounter, without using defensive style of competition.

You have solutions now, but you still look anxious?

Yes, I was anxious but now is not the time to complain. Our job is to find out optimal solution to complete the target of defending the championship title.

So, will Vietnam start today with goalkeeper Tan Truong, defenders Dinh Dong, Nhu Thanh, Phuoc Tu, Huy Hoang, midfielders Thanh Luong, Tan Tai, Thanh Hung, Minh Phuong, Vu Phong, and forward Anh Duc?

Maybe.

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Sharp shooters shoot down 2 silvers

Silverware: Dang Hong Ha (centre) and her teammates Cu Thi Thanh Tu and Nguyen Thu Hang celebrate after winning a silver medal in the 10m air rifle mobile target team event at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Quoc Khanh

HA NOI — Sharpshooters Dang Hong Ha, Cu Thi Thanh Tu and Nguyen Thi Hang bagged the silver medal in the women's 10m mobile target air rifle team event at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China yesterday.

The trio accumulated a total of 1,084 points to finish second, 62 points behind China.

North Korea came third with 1,068 points.

The men's shooters bagged one more silver and bronze for Viet Nam yesterday.

Ha Minh Thanh scored 583 points in the men's 25m individual rapid fire pistol to equal Chinese Li Yuehong after 60 shots. But Thanh had to take the silver as he lost to the Chinese shooter in the final 10 shots with 196.7 points, 3.1 points lower than Li's achievement.

Thanh and his teammates, Bui Quang Nam and Pham Anh Dat, also bagged a bronze medal in the team event with a total of 1,718 points.

Wushu artist Pham Quoc Khanh took the bronze in the men's all-around nanquan (ultimate fist) and nangun (rod play) with a total 19.33 points in the men's taolu (performance) event yesterday.

Vietnamese athletes took home two silver and three bronze medals in the Asian Games yesterday.

International Grand Master (IGM) Le Quang Liem gained 5.5 points to take the lead in the men's individual chess tournament at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Liem won five matches including two wins over the Asian Games' defending champion Murtas Kazhgaleyev of Kazakhstan, Chinese Bu Xiangzhi.

The 19-year-old hopes to maintain his momentum as he gets ready for his next matches today.

Martial artist Nguyen Thi Bich beat Elina Chaudhary of Nepal 2-0, earning a semi-final berth in the women's 52kg sanshou (combat) event. — VNS

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New talents found at U.21 football contest

The ongoing National U.21 competition in Gia Lai Province is still very exciting thanks to the shining performance of some up-and-coming stars.

Dong Nai has introduced a well-rounded team at the 14th annual youth competition, sponsored by Thanh Nien. The balanced squad advanced to the semifinals ahead of powerhouse Nghe An and reigning champions Da Nang.

Apart from familiar favorites-Captain Duc Nhan and midfielder Huu Phat, crowds and enthusiasts have been wowed by the debut performances of goalkeeper Thanh Diep, midfielder The Hung and striker Nguyen Tuan Anh.

It was Tuan Anh who scored the only goal in the team’s defeat of Nghe An during the opening match of this year’s contest.

Hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) is another team that has also managed to impress.

“We consider these players the future substitutes for HAGL’s first team,” said HAGL coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan. “For this reason, HAGL’s U.21 s have been specially trained.”

HAGL’s new names like Ut Cuong, Duy Thanh and Xuan Hieu helped the Central Highland squad finish at the top of Group A.

As usual, youth training centers Nghe An and Da Nang have come out with some new young talent. However, Vietnamese football enthusiasts should be jazzed about this year’s promising new crop across the board.

Strong clubs in Vietnam’s top-tier V-League are beginning to pay attention to training young players to substitute the veterans. Thanh Nien’s U.21 contest has offered an excellent proving ground for the nation’s next generation of football stars.

Thanh Nien newspaper, launched the annual event 14 years ago. Since then, the appearance of more youth training centers has helped to improve the quality of play at the competition and throughout the country.

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New talents found at U.21 football contest

The ongoing National U.21 competition in Gia Lai Province is still very exciting thanks to the shining performance of some up-and-coming stars.

Dong Nai has introduced a well-rounded team at the 14th annual youth competition, sponsored by Thanh Nien. The balanced squad advanced to the semifinals ahead of powerhouse Nghe An and reigning champions Da Nang.

Apart from familiar favorites-Captain Duc Nhan and midfielder Huu Phat, crowds and enthusiasts have been wowed by the debut performances of goalkeeper Thanh Diep, midfielder The Hung and striker Nguyen Tuan Anh.

It was Tuan Anh who scored the only goal in the team’s defeat of Nghe An during the opening match of this year’s contest.

Hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) is another team that has also managed to impress.

“We consider these players the future substitutes for HAGL’s first team,” said HAGL coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan. “For this reason, HAGL’s U.21 s have been specially trained.”

HAGL’s new names like Ut Cuong, Duy Thanh and Xuan Hieu helped the Central Highland squad finish at the top of Group A.

As usual, youth training centers Nghe An and Da Nang have come out with some new young talent. However, Vietnamese football enthusiasts should be jazzed about this year’s promising new crop across the board.

Strong clubs in Vietnam’s top-tier V-League are beginning to pay attention to training young players to substitute the veterans. Thanh Nien’s U.21 contest has offered an excellent proving ground for the nation’s next generation of football stars.

Thanh Nien newspaper, launched the annual event 14 years ago. Since then, the appearance of more youth training centers has helped to improve the quality of play at the competition and throughout the country.

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87-year-old remains master of martial arts

Vietnamese traditional martial arts master Dao Thanh, 87, performs a Tu mon bat quai, a defensive technique against many simultaneous attackers

Photo: Tuoi Tre

Dao Thanh is the last of the four Great Sages of martial arts still alive.

The 87-year-old master of Tay Son, one of Vietnam’s many traditional fighting skills, still trains young learners daily in his remote hometown in the central province of Binh Dinh.

Despite his age, he rides his bicycle 60 kilometers every day to go around for the training.

He lives in the mountainous village of Tan Duc in An Nhon District. A large garden surrounded by bamboo hedges in front of his house has been a training ground for generations of Vietnamese martial artists over the last 70 years.

Master Pham Dinh Phong, vice chairman of the Vietnam Traditional Martial Arts Federation, was one of his disciples several decades ago.

Thanh agreed to meet Tuoi Tre correspondent at home last month.

“I’ve been teaching martial artists for free all my life,” he begins.

“I can’t stay at home as I miss my students and miss schools. I may die if I stay at home.

“I don’t get money from my students but they sometimes give me some tea, milk, or rice.”

A few gift him money occasionally.

“I [am] poor but relaxed.”

He began learning martial arts at 15 from teacher That Duy.

“My mother was afraid I would be enrolled in the French Army and sent me to the teacher.”

After two years there, he went to other teacher, Phi Hung in Phan Ri District in the central province of Binh Thuan, to learn sword fighting and bare hand techniques.

After six years of training he began teaching himself to earn money so that he could go to a top master to learn. And, he has never looked back since.

Now he lives with his wife he married at 17 and has six sons and four daughters.

“She loves me because I was handsome and skilled at martial arts,” he jokes.

“I love her because she is good at singing and making beautiful conical hats.”

He pours some wine and says with obvious contentment: “We are poor but happy.

“I just need three bowls of rice and a bowl of soup for a meal. That’s enough. So what do I need money for?”

“If I want some fish, I ride my wife to the market to sell some chicken eggs and buy some fish. I don’t need any more than that.”

Thanh’s home has become a regular visiting place for Phong to learn esoteric techniques that few teachers know.

Thanh says he may be the only person to still know some techniques believed to be invented by King Quang Trung in the 18th century and General Ly Thuong Kiet in the 11th century.

Phong says Thanh is a sage of Vietnamese traditional martial arts that need to be preserved.

The country is home to more than 100 different martial arts of which 40 -- like Xuan Thanh, Xuan Lieu, Nhat Nam, Tay Son, and Hung Ke Quyen -- are famous.

Thanh’s other famous contemporaries, the three other Great Sages, Huong Kiem Trung, Muoi Dau, and Ha Trong Son, have all passed.

Thanh says: “Last year I went on a bicycle tour of Quy Nhon [city] to visit friends who trained with me. Unluckily, they had all died.”

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