VietNam Culture: Thanh Hung

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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Vietnam’s U23 squad wins Thang Long Cup

Vietnam’s U23 squad wins Thang Long Cup Vietnam’s U23 team did themselves proud by winning the Thang Long Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, beating their stronger counterparts from Iran at the Thong Nhat Stadium on Saturday.

Facing a superior rival, the Vietnamese team resorted to making smart plays and keeping a close guard on their rivals, making it very hard for the Persian Gulf visitors to launch attacks.

Not allowed to implement their strategies, the Iranians found both attack and defense difficult, making it possible for the hosts to control the match.

Playmaker Thanh Hung worked as a good link between the Vietnamese defenders and attackers, helping the team maintain better possession of the ball.

Right after the break, Vietnam took the lead with striker Anh Duc heading home a Duc Thien corner kick.

But Anh Duc made things difficult for his team, leaving the field with a red card after an attack on Iran’s Moosavi Ivan.

Coach Phan Thanh Hung immediately replaced Thanh Trung with striker Dinh Tung to facilitate fast counter attacks.

With midfielders moving closer to the home goal to better support the defenders, and the latter positioning themselves very well, the team was able to stand firm against pressure from the Iranians.

In a rapid counterattack towards the end of the match, substitute Dinh Tung slid the ball between goalkeeper Sadeghi’s legs to double the score. The 15,000-strong audience exploded into applause.

Coach Hung said after the game, “The win over Iran was very significant for us. It will help the players gain confidence before the coming Asian Games.”

The win, together with a scoreless draw with Singapore on Thursday and a 2-1 win over Malaysians, earned the Vietnamese the Thang Long Cup in HCMC along with the tournament’s US$20,000 cash prize.

In addition, the team was awarded a VND200 million ($10,000) bonus by the Vietnam Football Federation and another VND100 million by the HCMC Football Federation.

The Thang Long Cup contest in Ho Chi Minh City was organized to celebrate Thang Long-Hanoi’s 1,000^th anniversary.

A Hanoi edition of the tournament was held in the capital city from September 20-24. This was won by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Vietnam’s national team came in second.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Vietnam posts unconvincing win in U23 opener

Vietnam posts unconvincing win in U23 opener Vietnam’s U23 footballers beat Malaysia 2-1 in the opener of the Thang Long Cup on Tuesday.

However, the victory at HCMC’s Thong Nhat Stadium also exposed some lapses.

Despite training together for less a month and some players joining the squad for the first time, the home team started the game full of confidence and in high spirits, drawing cheers from the 15,000 or so spectators.

The 4-5-1 formation resorted to by coach Phan Thanh Hung, who took Hanoi T&T to the V-League 2010 championship, worked effectively.

The most prominent player in the home team was skipper Bui Van Hieu who formed a good link between the midfielders Duc Thien, Ngoc Dieu, Van Thang and Thanh Trung.

The midfielders worked very well, making it possible for striker Anh Duc to score two goals midway through the first half.

But the two early goals caused the Vietnamese young players to lose concentration, exemplified by goalie Tan Truong’s goal kick directly to Talaha Idlan less than 20 meters. The latter did not spurn the gift.

Some complacent players almost cost the home team dear at some times in the second half.

Speaking to Thanh Nien after the game, coach Thanh Hung said, “We played exceptionally in the first half and took advantage with two early goals.

“However, my young players got too satisfied. They didn’t concentrate after the goals. Not only goalkeeper Tan Truong but also other positions wanted to “show off” their personal skills; and the whole team didn’t play very well in the second half.”

Malaysian coach Rajagobal said, “Vietnam played very well and we conceded two goals early in the game.

“Yet I am pleased with my players’ display in the second half. They will play better and better after each game.”

In the previous match, Iran drew 1-1 with Singapore. Iran’s coach Gholamhossin Peyrorang was upset with the referee because he felt the latter was not strict enough with the violent Singaporeans who made his players underperform.

The September 28-October 2 Thang Long Cup is being held in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate Thang Long – Hanoi’s 1,000^th anniversary.

The Thang Long-Hanoi Cup ended in Hanoi on Friday with Vietnam’s national football team coming in second behind the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.