Binh Duong suffer third AFC loss

Becamex Binh Duong suffered their third defeat at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League yesterday, losing to Jeonbuk Hyundai of South Korea 0-3.

Captain Lee Dong-gook scored a double after Eninho opened the scorecard just 16 minutes into the match.

The Vietnamese champions could not overcome the K.League winners during the whole match.

Binh Duong, which were playing without their best players, also faced a big challenge in the form of cold weather, which was different from the warm weather in their home town.

The team's third loss kept Binh Duong at the bottom of Group E, while Jeonbuk Hyundai are at the top with seven points.

In another match of the group, Naoki Wako's header two minutes into injury time secured Kashiwa Reysol a 2-1 win over Shandong Luneng at the Kashiwa Hitachi Stadium. The win ensured that the J.League remains in a strong position to advance to the knockout stage of the league.

U23s grab second draw in friendly

Viet Nam's U-23 squad yesterday tied 1-1 with V.League 1's Dong Nai, during a friendly match held at the Go Dau Stadium in the Binh Duong Province.

Despite being considered a strong side, the U-23s suffered an unexpected goal loss during the 20th minute when Dong Nai striker Hai Anh made a strong header from a close distance.

Toshyia Miura's team established their domination with consecutive attacks and levelled the result near the end of the first half with the help of Ngoc Thang.

However, it was all they could do against the team that is placed at the bottom of the rankings table.

Earlier, they had pocketed two wins and one draw during their friendly tour in preparation for the upcoming Asia U-23 Football Championship's qualifier in Malaysia.

Their next match will be against Thailand on March 22.

Midfielder suspended for spitting at player

Midfielder Tran Chi Cong was suspended for three matches for spitting at defender Tran Van Hoc of SHB Da Nang, during an eighth-round Toyota V.League 1 match on February 14, according to a decision made yesterday by the Viet Nam Football Federation.

Cong of Dong Tam Long An will not play with his team, who will next meet Can Tho, Quang Ninh Coal and Dong Nai.

He has been also fined VND10 million (US$470) for his bad behaviour.

Cong moved to Dong Tam Long An after ending his contract with Becamex Binh Duong last year.

He quickly became a key defending player at the Long An Stadium.

Dong Tam Long An are the only team in the national premier league that have not lost a match this season.

Cong has also scored two goals.

Top seeds win at HDBank tourney

Defending champion Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son easily logged his first win at the HDBank International Open Chess Tournament held yesterday in HCM City.

Son, the third seed in the tournament, defeated teammate Tu Hoang Thai and will play against Nolte Rolando of the Philippines today.

Second seed Le Quang Liem also won, beating teammate Tran Manh Tien and will face Wynn Zaw Htun of Myanmar next.

The two Vietnamese masters shared the leading position after the first round, with top seed Li Chao from China, who defeated Htay Min Lwin of Myanmar yesterday.

The fifth HDBank event, with its prize money of US$35,000, has drawn 85 chess masters from 14 countries, including 44 Vietnamese. It will end on March 23.

VNA/VNS