VietNam Culture

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

An Giang, Nam Dinh book final round spots in U21 tourney

An Giang and Nam Dinh topped their respective groups, F and A, to win final round berths at the U.21 National Football champion to be held in Gia Lai in October.

An Giang beat Kien Giang 3-1 on Sunday in the Mekong Delta while Nam Dinh fought to a 0-0 tie with Hanoi ACB on Monday in the northern province of Nam Dinh.

Lam Hai Dang, Le Chi Thanh and Tuan Anh scored the goals for An Giang while Danh Phen pulled a consolation goal for Kien Giang.

The qualifying round matches of the Thanh Nien-sponsored football tournament were exciting all the way to the final minutes.

With two byes for hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai and reigning champs Da Nang to the final round, the 30 other teams had to compete very hard in six groups from September 5 to 20.

The qualifying rounds presented such tough competition that Group D hosts Khanh Hoa, Group E hosts Ho Chi Minh City and Group F hosts Kien Giang failed to advance.

Eight qualified teams will compete in Pleiku Town, capital of the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, from October 7-17, and the best four teams will qualify for the international U.21 football tournament.

The international event will take place at Ho Chi Minh City’s Thong Nhat Stadium from October 23-31. It is co-organized by the Vietnam Football Federation and Thanh Nien, and sponsored by the newspaper.

Vietnam beats 10-man China in AFF U16 opener

Vietnam beats 10-man China in AFF U16 opener

Late goal by captain Dang Anh Tuan earned Vietnam a 1-0 win over 10-man China in the opener of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U16 Championship in Indonesia on Monday.

China is obviously one of the strongest at the contest but their defender Liu Yiming was sent off some 15 minutes from full time.

An AFF website report said the loss of the defender was not the main reason for China’s loss to Vietnam at the Manahan Stadium in Solo.

“Although China had the bigger share of possession, their strikers were unable to crack the Vietnam defense,” the report said.

Vietnamese coach Hoang Van Phuc said, “The turning point came in the second half when Vietnam switched from firm defense to fast attacks, surprising the Chinese rivals, bringing lots of trouble to the Chinese players, who deliberately resorted to several fouls.”

Consequently, Liu Yiming picked up two yellow cards and was sent off before China conceded the 83^rd-minute goal.

Phuc said, “The Vietnamese players had a good strategy with players in every position playing consistently.”

The team had played against big rivals like the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea in the qualifiers last year, so they were not afraid of bigger opponents. Phuc said he hoped the players would continue to play well against Indonesia in the next game.

Reported by Giang Lao

Monday, September 27, 2010

Gala night in Paris celebrates Hanoi’s anniversary

A gala night to celebrate the millennial anniversary of Thang
Long-Hanoi opened at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on September
24.

The gala, organised by the national flag carrier, Vietnam
Airlines, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in France,
the Vietnam Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and the Hanoi Municipal
People’s Committee, was part of oversea activities to celebrate the
1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi next month.

It was also
held at a time when the Thang Long Royal Citadel has been recognised
by UNESCO as a cultural heritage site of the world.

Addressing
the function, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Le Kinh Tai spoke highly
of the initiative to organise the event and stressed traditional
cooperation in many areas, particularly in culture and arts, between
Vietnam and France .

The selection of the UNESCO headquarters
in Paris as a venue for the gala shows Vietnam’s gratitude to
French leaders and UNESCO for practical assistance to Hanoi ’s
millennium celebrations, he said.

The gala night featured performances by Vietnamese singers and an art troupe from the Thang Long Song and Dance Theatre./.

Mourinho says Benzema 'on right track'

Karim Benzema

Photo: AFP

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho softened his stance towards Karim Benzema Friday by declaring that the French international striker was making good progress.

"He's on the right track, he's showing a great level of motivation," said Mourinho during a press conference.

"I've got much more confidence in him than two months ago. Now it's up to me to give him opportunities so that he's happy. He deserves it."

Mourinho also promised that Benzema would enjoy more playing time.

The 22-year-old has started most of Real's games on the bench this season and has been upbraided by Mourinho over his attitude and time-keeping.

Speaking after Real's 2-0 defeat of Ajax in the Champions League earlier this month, Mourinho said: "I hope that Karim is intelligent. I hope that he understands and that he knows what he has to do in order to play.

"From the bench you can see the match very well, and the changes in position. Today he spent 90 minutes on the bench.

"Karim is an intelligent boy. Sooner or later he'll understand."

Real travel to Valencia to face Levante in La Liga Saturday before visiting Auxerre for their second Champions League group game Tuesday.

Mourinho says Benzema 'on right track'