Hoang Anh Gia Lai sign Francisco

Hoang Anh Gia Lai and new striker Hoang Anh Gia Lai yesterday (Dec 24) signed a one-year contract with striker Moreira Jesuino Osmar Francisco.

Moreira Jesuino Osmar Francisco (right) is the latest player of Hoang Anh Gia Lai. — Photo zing.vn

The Brazilian will be the last foreigner in the list of the V. League 1 side as they have their three imports.

Francisco, 28, has played three years in the Japan's J. League 2 for Avispa Fukuoka, Ehime FC and Mito Hollyhock. After tests, Hoang Anh Gia Lai appreciated his advanced technique and scoring skills.

Last month, the former champions also borrowed Masaaki Ideguchi from Yokohama FC of Japan.

Another player is Eliel Cruz Guardiano, also from Brazil.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai will host a friendly tournament on January 18, which will also see SHB Da Nang, Long An and Sanna Khanh Hoa.

It will be their final warm-up ahead of the new season, which will begin on February 20.

Hai Phuong Nam win first Cup

Hai Phuong Nam Phu Nhuan triumphed at the first National Futsal Cup yesterday in HCM City.

The team, which has sprung many surprises from the beginning of the tournament, defeated An Phuoc Binh Thuan Hospital 6-1 in the final at the Rach Mieu Gymnasium.

Tan Phat opened the score for An Phuoc Binh Thuan, just eight minutes into the game.

However, Duc Hoa's and Van Trung's goals pushed Hai Phuong Nam Phu Nhuan ahead before the end of the first half.

An Phuoc Binh Thuan were hurrying to find a leveller, pushing their team up after the interval, but paid a heavy price for their decision.

Doanh Toai netted a double which was sandwiched between goals of Van Toan and Van Trung.

An Phuoc Binh Thuan's goalkeeper Ma Hoang Phuc, who did a perfect job in the earlier rounds, failed to save his side yesterday as he suffered in consecutive attempts while his defenders did not work effectively enough.

However, Phuc was still the best goal-keeper of the competition, according to the organisers.

The Cup champions brought home VND50 million (US$2,200).

In the bronze-medal match, national champions Sanna Khanh Hoa lost 0-5 to former champion Thai Son Nam which also bagged the fair play prize.

That Phi netted exactly at the 13th mark for Thai Son Nam. It was repeated by Van Vu, with a shot that hit the bar before entering the net.

Danh Phat's close-range finish easily found its target seconds before the break.

Minh Tri and Trong Luan grabbed the last goals near the end of the game.

Earlier, Tan Hiep Hung beat Hoang Thu Da Nang 7-1 in the seventh-placed play-off.

Sanatech Khanh Hoa lost 3-5 to Thai Son Bac and left the fifth place to its rival.

Apart from the medals, organisers also presented awards to individuals.

Tran Thai Huy of An Phuoc Binh Thuan Hospital was the most valuable player.

Nguyen Van Trung of the winning team was the best scorer with seven goals.

Giang to clash with Tuan in final

Hanoian Trinh Linh Giang will play Pham Minh Tuan of Da Nang in today's final of the National Top Tennis Players Tournament in HCM City.

Yesterday, Giang beat Vu Artem of Binh Duong 6-3, 6-1 in the second semi-final match in the men's singles category.

Earlier, Tuan needed only 30 minutes to finish his match against national champion Lam Quang Tri of HCM City 6-0, 6-2.

Giang lost to Tuan 3-6, 3-6 in the group round match.

The men's doubles final will see the pair of Tri and Le Quoc Khanh versus Chi Khuong and Thanh Hoang of the Military.

On the women's side, duo Thanh Binh and Dan Thi of Da Nang triumphed in the doubles event after their third win in the round robin category yesterday.

In the singles event, veteran Tran Thi Tam Hao of the hosts stopped 13-year-old Lian Tran of the Viet Nam Tennis Federation, 6-3, 6-3.

Hao will meet teammate Huynh Phi Khanh in the final. Khanh won over another HCM City athlete Si Boi Ngoc 7-6 (2), 6-0.

Ha Noi prepare for new season

As the only new comer of the V. League 1 tournament, Ha Noi FC are intensively preparing their team for the coming season.

Freshmen: Ha Noi FC players seen in training. They will be the newcomers in V.League 1 next season. — Photo hanoifc.vn

The team managers have to say goodbye to some of their best players who played a key role in promoting the team up to the national premier league.

The trio, Do Hung Dung, Pham Duc Huy and Nguyen Quang Hai, were borrowed from Ha Noi T&T last season and after their loan-contract ended, they will return to their former team.

Ha Noi FC had wanted to buy them, but Ha Noi T&T refused, saying that they were themselves facing a shortage of players.

As a result, the team has planned to recruit more local and foreign players in recent weeks.

"We want to add five or six players who already have the experience of the V. League 1. Some who are testing at our club are not stars, but if they meet our requirements we will sign contracts with them," Ha Noi FC Chairman Nguyen Giang Dong said.

The chairman said that apart from those who have ended their contracts with their former clubs, such as midfielder Xuan Ngoc, defender Chu Khanh Thanh and striker Bui Van Ha, there are several players from Africa who also want to join his team.

In their return to the V. League 1, Ha Noi have to work on a new playing style, as they will have the right to compete with two foreigners in the line-up, which was totally different when compared to the V. League 2 (the lower division).

"There are many foreigners who have approached us but we have not found them suitable. We will keep an eye on them while we welcome the others," coach Nguyen Duc Thang, who wants a midfielder and a striker, said.

"We will be very careful in recruiting players who will strongly influence our results," he said.

Ha Noi FC will have several friendly matches to warm-up before a new season which will kick-off on February 20.

In their recent tie with Quang Ninh Coal on December 19, Ha Noi won 1-0 thanks to Dinh Hung's goal in Quang Ninh Province.

The two sides will meet again today at the Hang Day Stadium in Ha Noi.

Source: VNS