VietNamNet Bridge – Duc Long Military Zone 5 men's volleyball team hope to echo the success of Hoang Anh Gia Lai football club, with volleyball becoming the second sport in the province to become professionalised.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai may lose Thai star

HAGL sets sights on first win

A co-operative venture between Military Zone 5 and the Duc Long Group invested VND10 billion (US$500,000) in cash to sponsor the team from the beginning of last year.

Although recruiting Thai star Wanchai Tabwises and local top players, the team have been slowly struggling their way to the top 10 of the premier league over the last two years.

In March, the team coach Nguyen Khac Thuy died following a heart-attack, at the conclusion of the first stage of the National All-Star Championship.

The team gave a poor performance this year, finishing in the bottom group among the top 12 teams after two stages.

Newly-appointed coach Le Tri Dung said: "We need to stabilise the team's line-up. Young setter Vo Minh Long is not yet skilful enough to replace injured Pham Le Vinh.

"The team is planning to lure some top players, as well scouting juniors for the team's young training centre. Our sponsorship deal will help provide good financial support to take the team to a top 10 finish next year," Dung said.

Both newly-signed key players Tran Huu Ha and Nguyen Van Hanh, who were not allowed to compete in the championship after unresolved disputes between their old team Ninh Binh, are also expected to be on court next year.

The lack of quality in some crucial positions was a reason that the team just survived relegation in the championship.

"Tabwises excelled in the championship. However, he needs more support from his teammates in attack. It means we have to provide him with good enough players to patch a hole in the team's tactics," the coach explained.

"This is just the start of the investment into the team. Hoang Anh Gia Lai football club became known as a powerhouse six years ago, and we hope to succeed with volleyball," said the chairman of Duc Long group, Bui Phap.

"We had a poor season this year, but we have not given up our ambition of developing a strong volleyball team in the future," he added.

The team has a six-month preparation period prior to the national volleyball championship resuming next April.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News