VietNamNet Bridge – By late afternoon of October 30, the deadline for registration for the 2014 V-League, K.Kien Giang FC did not fulfill the registration. Thus, the V-League 2014 will only have 13 teams instead of 14 as usual.

Mr. Tran Duy Ly, the CEO of the Vietnam Professional Football JSC, said: “By 5pm on October 30, K. Kien Giang did not register for the V-League. Thus, the 2014 season will have 13 (An Giang, Binh Duong, V.Ninh Binh, Quang Nam, Dong Tam Long An, Thanh Hoa, SHB Da Nang, Ha Noi T&T, Quang Ninh Coal, Dong Nai, Song Lam Nghe An, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and V. Hai Phong) instead of 14 teams."

Ly said that VPF leaders had discussions with Mr. Truong Thanh Hong, K.Kien Giang’s CEO and Hong said his club would be meeting with provincial leaders in the future to deal with the debts with players. The VPF asked K.Kien Giang to submit written dispatch on its withdrawal from the V.League 2014 but Hong said he lacked authority to sign the document.

In late August, Saigon Xuan Thanh’s unexpected withdrawal from V-League “saved” K. Kien Giang otherwise it would have been relegated.

The team was very excited to be staying with V.League. But in the end, because of financial difficulties, the team has officially “denied" the gift of Saigon Xuan Thanh.

This outcome was no surprise and K.Kien Giang players have searched for new jobs.

Similarly, Binh Dinh FC did not sign up for the First Division Tournament next year, also because of financial hardship. The 2014 First Division will have eight instead of nine teams, including Tay Ninh, Khanh Hoa, Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh City, Dak Lak, Thua Thien Hue, Hanoi and CS Dong Thap.

Nguyen Nam