Vietnam to play Malaysia in Under 21 tournament opening match

Vietnam play Malaysia in the opener of the 2011 U.21 International Football Tournament in the Central Highlands town of Pleiku on September 25.

 

According to the fixtures announced by Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on Wednesday, Vietnam, Malaysia and Qatari sports center Aspire are in Group A while Iran, Thailand and Singapore are in Group B.

The teams will play round robin league matches and the best two teams from each group will play in the semifinals of the fifth edition of the football event sponsored by Thanh Nien.

The tournament, which offers a total cash prize of US$50,000, will run until October 4.

Vietnam club demands $2m from Atletico Madrid's new player

Though he is offically with Spain’s top-tier club Atlectico Madrid now, Nigerian striker Samson Kayode Olaleye must pay the Vietnamese football club Hanoi T&T at least US$2 million if he wants to play in Europe.

Olaleye is in trouble because he received a large amount of cash from Hanoi T&T and signed a memorandum of understanding with this team, which said he would play for them after completing his contract with Dong Thap at the end of the 2011 season.

The 22-year-old Nigerian footballer was a key striker of V-League club Dong Thap in the 2010 and 2011 seasons; and is considered one of the best players in the tournament.

His excellent performance attracted the attention of some brokers who recommended him to Atlectico Madrid, who signed a contract with him as a free player a couple of weeks ago because his contract with Dong Thap had ended.

After signing with him, Atlectico Madrid lent Olaleye to Portugal’s club Sporting Braga for a season and his name is now on the list of the Portuguese club although he still hasn't received a shirt number.

However, despite leaving Vietnam before the 2011 V-League season ended late last month, Olaleye can’t play for Sporting Braga because the Vietnam Football Federation hasn’t issued an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to him.

On learning about Olaleye’s signing with Aletico, Hanoi T&T’s first reaction was to inform Vietnam Football Federation of the case and to ask the federation not to issue an ITC to the Nigerian striker unless he compensates the club for breaking the agreement.

According to Hanoi T&T, six months before Olaleye’s contract with Dong Thap ended, Hanoi T&T talked with the Nigerian player through broker Tran Tien Dai.

Olaleye agreed to play for Hanoi T&T for three years with a monthly salary of $10,000. He also received $300,000 in advance for agreeing to play for the club. He and broker Tran Tien Dai signed a memorandum of understanding for those terms and more.

Despite agreeing to play for Hanoi T&T, Olaleye also nodded when another team, Binh Duong, suggested talks about his future. He didn’t sign any paper with Binh Duong but he is said to have received a  large amount of cash from the 2007-08 V-League champs as well.

Later, however, Olaleye seems to have conveniently forgotten his agreements in Vietnam when he signed with Spain’s capital club.

Without an ITC, the Nigerian striker cannot play in Europe. That was why he returned to Vietnam last week to discuss the problem with Hanoi T&T.

Hanoi T&T President Nguyen Quoc Hoi said, “Samson Kayode Olaleye can go but things must be settled in accordance with the rules. He was wrong, so rules must be applied.

“He must pay Hanoi T&T at least two million US dollars and other additional fines. Only then can he become a free player.”

Myanmar announce training squad for SEA Games

The Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) have announced a training squad of 45 players in preparation for the 26^th SEA Games which will be hosted by Indonesia in November.

Other than relying on several veterans who have played at the last two SEA Games, the MFF have also included numerous young players who have made an impact in the Myanmar National League.

MYANMAR TRAINING SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS – Kyaw Zin Htet (KBZ), Pyae Phyo Aung (Southern), Hein  Kyaw Thu (Okkthar), Aung Wai Phyo (Magway), Thiha Sithu (Ayawaddy)

DEFENDERS – Yan Aung Win (Yangon), Kyaw Kyaw Myo, Nyar Na Lwin, Aye San (KBZ); Aung Hein Kyaw, Min Ko Ko, Shwe Hlaing Win (Zeyar); Zaw Zaw Oo (Ayawaddy), Zaw Min Htun (Magway), Ye Zaw Htet Aung (YDNB), Yan Myo Aung (Southern), Moe Win (NPT)

MIDFIELDERS – Thet Naing, Ye Ko Oo, Aung Myint Aye (YDNB); David Htan, Yan Aung Kyaw, Kyi Lynn (Yangon); Zaw Lin Htet, Naing Soe Wai, Kyaw Ko Ko, Min Chit Thu (Zeyar), Zaw Lin, Pyae Phyo Oo (NPT); Thein Than Win, Kyaw Zeyar Win (KBZ); Chit Ko Ko Htwe (ZKP), Hein Zar Aung (Magway), Thu Htet Paing (Rakhapura), Min Min Thu (Ayawaddy)

STRIKERS – Mine Aik Naing, Khaing Zaw Htun, Soe Min Oo (KBZ), Soe Paing Thway, Ye Waiyan Soe, Soe Myat Thu (Zeyar), Kaung Si Thu (Yangon), Aung Myint Myat (Manawmyay), Sa Htet Naing Win (NPT), Min Min Htun (Ayawaddy)

Thailand name training squad for SEA Games

Thailand have named a training squad of 33 players which will carry their challenge for the SEA Games 2011 which will be hosted by Indonesia in November.

The team has already started training last week.

The Thais, who were chasing their ninth crown in a row in Laos in 2009, did not even qualify for the semi-finals when they were denied by eventual champions Malaysia.

The FA of Thailand (FAT) have appointed Prapon Pongpanich from Bangkok United as the chief coach while Vithoon Kijmongkolsak will be the assistant.

THAILAND TRAINING SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Kawin Thammasatchanan (Muang Thong United), Ukrit Wongmeema (Buriram FC), Sompong Yod-Ard (Police United), Panupong Pichittham (Chainat FC)

DEFENDERS: Chalermsuk Kaewsuktae (Chainat FC), Thanapol Udomlarb (Bangkok FC), Sujarit Jantakul (Sriracha FC), Komkrit Camsokchuerk (Bangkok United), Seeket Madputeh (Pattaya United), Weerawut Kayem (Muang Thong United), Phonlawut Donjui (Bangkok United), Artit Daosawang (Suphanburi FC), Apichit Kamwang (BEC-Tero Sasana), Chalermikat Boonnet (Bangkok FC) 

MIDFIELDERS: Natarid Thammarossopon (BEC-Tero Sasana), Surachet Ngamtip (Chainat FC), Chatchai Narkwijit (Chiang Rai United), Naruphol Ar-Romsawa (Muang Thong United), Phuritad Jarikanon (Chonburi FC), Attapong Nooprom (Sriracha FC), Kornprom Jaroonpong (Phuket FC), Anusorn Srichaluang (Army United), Issarapong Lilakorn (PTT Rayong FC), Piyachart Srimaruang (Siam Navy FC), Assaming Mae (Police United), Anuwat Noichernphan (Army United)

STRIKERS: Adisak Kraisorn (Buriram PEA), Chayanan Pombuppha (Police United), Chakrit Rawanprakone (Burriam FC), Ronnachai Rangsyo (BEC-Tero Sasana), Sittiphan Chumchoy (TTM-Phichit), Patchaya Narach (Bangkok United), Kroerkrit Thawikan (Sriracha FC)

China beat Singapore 2-1

China beat Singapore 2-1 in a Group A clash in the 2014 World Cup third-round qualifier at high altitude in Kunming on Friday.

But it was the visitors who scored first, as Singapore's Aleksandar Duric took advantage of a defensive slip by the Chinese defence to give the Lions the lead in the 32nd minute.

China missed a penalty in the 56th minute, but converted another spot kick in the 69th minute and three minutes later were on target again to give them a 2-1 advantage.

It was tough for Singapore, with the Chinese playing at home in a stadium which is 1,900 metres above sea level.

The thin air makes it more difficult for players, but Singapore ensured they were not disadvantaged by this.

The Lions went there a week earlier to get acclimatised and that helped them to last the distance.

And kudos to how the visitors played. The Lions did not let the Chinese team, who played in the 2002 World Cup, affect their play.

Veteran player Aleksandar Duric, who at 41 years old still has the stamina and killer instincts, scored in the 32nd minute.

The Chinese, led by their new coach - former Spanish and Real Madrid manager Jose Camacho - finally got their act together late in the match.

To be fair they had a few chances but the post saved Singapore on two occasions.

In the end the Chinese played to their potential, but Singapore can take hope in their gutsy performance in Kunming.

It's not the end yet, as five more matches await the Singapore boys, the next one will be against Iraq at the Jalan Besar Stadium next Tuesday.

The Lions return to Singapore on Saturday and do not have much time to prepare for Tuesday's encounter.

But fans can expect another cracker of a game, especially with the Lions playing at home.

Singapore and Thailand go down fighting while Indonesea get hammered

Singapore and Thailand almost delivered upsets in their respective games of the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers but in the end, had to be content with identical 2-1 losses to China and Australia respectively.

In matches that were all played away from home, Singapore fell 2-1 to China; Thailand also faltered 2-1 to Australia while Indonesia slumped to a 3-0 loss to Iran.

Veteran striker Aleksandr Duric gave the Lions the best of start on 33^rd minute at the Tuodong Sports Centre in Kunming but the hosts fought back with two goals in the second half for the win.

A penalty in the 69^th minute off  Zheng Zhi put the Chinese on level terms before Yu Hai ensured the full points for the home team four minutes later.

In the meantime, the Thais also had a fabulous start when they carved out the lead off Teerasil Dangda in the 14^th minute for them to be 1-0 in front at the half.

But the Aussies, buoyed by their fans at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, upped the tempo in the second half with a Joshua Kennedy’s goal in the 58^th minute.

Alex Brosque then completed the win for the homesters with the winner with four minutes remaining on the clock.

Indonesia on the other hand made up for their failure to score in the first half when they held Iran scoreless until after the restart.

Jevad Nekonam was quick to score the lead in the 53^rd minute before doubling the lead for Iran with his second goal of the evening on 74 minutes.

Andranik Timotian Samarani then wrapped things up for Iran with the third goal a minute to the end.

Cambodia to use BIDC Cup to prepare for SEA Games

The Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) are using the Mekong Region Youth International Football Tournament for the BIDC Cup as part of their preparation for the SEA Games which will be hosted by Indonesia at the end of the year.

The tournament, which is sponsored by the Vietnam-based Bank for Investment and Development of Cambodia (BIDC), will see six teams battling it out on 8-16 October 2011.

“It’s a big boost for football development in the Mekong belt, and its timing will also help the preparations for the SEA Games in November,” said General Sao Sokha, the president of the FFC.

Following the draw which was held this week, hosts Cambodia have been placed in Group B against Laos and Myanmar.

Group A are Vietnam, Thailand and China’s Wuhan Hongxing FC.

“We started it in a small way, and now it has grown bigger,’’ said Nguyen Van Hien, the chief executive of BIDC.

“Our aim is to help development of football among young people in the Mekong region and, as a bank operating in three countries in the region; we are determined to support this effort.”

The champion of the BIDC Cup will earn USD20,000 with the runners-up to pocket USD15,000.

The two semi-finalists will be rewarded USD10,000 each with the top scorer set to win USD1,000.

Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia in confident mood for World Cup qualifiers

The three ASEAN teams – Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia – are in a good frame of mind despite having to open their campaign on the road in the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers tomorrow.

Singapore will take on China; Thailand will play Australia while Indonesia will be tested by Iran in their respective matches of the qualifiers where each ASEAN teams will be looking for at least a draw playing away.

“It is the opening game of the third round (of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers) and of course we would like to get a good result where ultimately it will determine our position in the group,” said Radojko Avramovic, the chief coach of Singapore.

“But for me, I would just like the players to play their best and even if we do not get the result we wanted, I will still be satisfied.”

The Singapore-China game will be held at the Tuodong Sports Centre in Kunming, located some 1,900 metres above sea level.

In the meantime, Thailand chief coach Winfriend Schaefer said that his chargers are in a good condition ahead of their clash against Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
“Every player is in perfect condition. They know my tactics. The spirit of the team will help us get a result,” said the German. “At the moment, every player looks confident.”

Indonesian veteran striker Bambang Pamungkas is optimistic that his team can get a ‘good result’ when they open their campaign against Iran.

“Iran are a good team but we are not here to lose. We are here to at least win a point,” added Bambang.

“The best team at the end of the 90 minutes will win. We will work hard for the right result.”

Philippines to play friendlies to prepare for Long Teng Cup

The Philippines national team will be playing in three friendly matches in preparation for the Long Teng Cup in Taiwan which will be held on 26 September to 4 October 2011.

The Philippines team, which will report to camp in Bacolod City next week, will take on Global FC (9 Sept), Central Philippine University (11 Sept) and a yet to be confirmed opponent on 13 Sept.

For the Long Teng Cup, the Philippines will play Hong Kong on 30 Sept before taking on hosts Chinese Taipei on 2 Oct with their final round robin opponent Macau two days later.

“We expect hard training when we start our camp in Bacolod although we have already been training mornings and afternoons every day. Coach (Michael Weiss) would want us to be ready for the Long Teng Cup,” said winger Rogel Gener.