VietNam Culture: striker Cong

Friday, February 18, 2011

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

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Injury keeps Vietnam football star out of AFF Cup

A ligament injury will keep striker Le Cong Vinh out of football’s AFF Suzuki Cup

Photo: Tuoi Tre

A ligament injury will keep striker Le Cong Vinh out of football’s AFF Suzuki Cup to be held in Vietnam and Indonesia in December, the star told Tuoi Tre while undergoing treatment in Portugal.

How is your knee shaping up?

After the ligament surgery and two months of physiotherapy, I can just do simple exercises with the ball.

What did your surgeon say about the injury?

He said though my recovery is on track, it will take me six months from June to recover fully.

He also advised me to strictly follow the physiotherapy schedule.

I think my injury will get better as my surgeon Noronha has successfully treated many other footballers, including midfielder Anderson of Manchester United, ex-Chelsea midfielder Deco, and defender Pepe of Real Madrid.

So what do you think about the chances of you playing in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup?

Though I wish to play, my injury will prevent me from playing until the end of the first round. I don’t think I can play there after an eight-month layoff.

I think there will be better players for national team coach Calisto to choose in my place.

What has Calisto told you?

He just told me to closely follow my therapy schedule so that I can get better soon but did not indicate he will keep a spot for me in the team for the AFF Cup.

What do you think about the V-League title your team Hanoi T&T, have just won?

I think my team deserved it for the efforts we put in. We had targeted this top position since the beginning.

But it’s a pity I could not attend the award ceremony.

What do you think about the rumors that Navibank Sai Gon want to buy you for $1 million?

It is just hearsay. I have not met the team or anyone else for my transfer.

My contract with Hanoi T&T runs for another year. I have to do my best to repay the team for the money they have paid for treating my injury. I’ll only leave the team when they say they do not need me any more.

Le Cong Vinh, born in Nghe An Province, achieved recognition and fame while playing for his hometown from 2004 to 2008.

In 2008, in a well-documented transfer saga, he turned down The Cong’s offer at the last minute to join Hanoi T&T at a then record transfer fee of around VND10 billion(US$513,000).

In August 2009 Hanoi announced that Vinh would be joining Portugal’s Leixões Sport Club in a three-month loan deal. The deal was facilitated by Henrique Calisto, who was once Leixões' manager.

Vinh is widely regarded as the best striker Vietnam has produced along with Le Huynh Duc, the first to play professionally overseas.

Already at age 23, Vinh has won three Golden Balls (2004, 2006, 2007) given by the Vietnam Football Federation to the best player of the year. He and Duc are the only ones to have won it thrice.

In 2009 Vinh ranked fifth on Goal.com's Top Ten Promising Youngsters in Asian Football.

He holds the record for most goals scored in a single season by a Vietnamese player in the league.

He is also the top Vietnamese goal-scorer in V-League history and second highest scorer behind Brazilian Antonio Carlos.

VietNam Culture