Sanna Khanh Hoa is out of the running for the National Cup after losing 0-1 to V.League 2's Dak Lak in a qualifying match on Saturday.

Illustrative image -- File photo

Other V.League 1 sides, Quang Ninh Coal and SHB Da Nang, struggled to avoid defeats.

Quang Ninh were tied 2-2 by Hue in official time before squeaking through 3-2 in the penalty shootout. Da Nang beat Nam Dinh 1-0 in the last seconds of the match thanks to a 20m free kick by captain Nguyen Vu Phong.

In other matches, Dong Nai beat Ha Noi FC 3-1, People's Police beat HCM City 1-0, and Binh Phuoc defeated Phu Yen 8-7.

The six winners from the qualifying round will join 10 other teams of the V.League 1 in the last-eight round matches to be played on June 20.

Ninh Binh FC seeks comeback

Ninh Binh FC managers have sent a petition to the Ninh Binh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism as well as the Viet Nam Football Federation seeking permission to re-establish their football team after it was dissolved in January.

"Our boss Hoang Manh Truong still loves football very much and really regrets what happened after what he'd done to build up the team for many years," said Pham Van Le, Ninh Binh FC's executive director.

"We have discussed the matter and decided to come back," he said.

Le said he was waiting for official agreement from the provincial department who've supported them in the past. Nguyen Van Sy has agreed to be their head coach. Sy was coach of the team before it was dissolved.

Young players who have trained with the club for the last four years will be key members of the team. They had been sent home after the team's dissolution.

Ninh Binh will work with the VFF this week on the team's proposed revival.

If things go as expected, the team will start training in May.

Truong had decided to give up the team after nine key players were indicted in a match-fixing scandal at the Asian Football Confederation Cup in 2014.

Tung in charge of Thanh Hoa

V. League 1's Thanh Hoa have asked assistant coach Hoang Thanh Tung to temporarily take charge after head coach Vu Quang Bao resigned last week.

It is the second time Tung has been pushed into this position.

He was the acting head coach in the last rounds of the last season when Thanh Hoa broke up with coach Mai Duc Chung. He guided the team to the third place in the overall rankings.

Tung is a former Thanh Hoa player who was their best scorer for the 2003 season.

His new role started when the tournament resumed yesterday (April 5) with Thanh Hoa, currently in third position, playing away against Dong Thap.

Meanwhile, Bao is set to arrive in Can Tho today to sign a working contract. He will act as a technical director until the end of the season and officially be appointed the head coach for the next season.

Bao was Can Tho's coach in 2011, but resigned after only four matches, complaining of over-interference by sponsors.

Can Tho have five points after eight matches and stand at 13th. They will face Dong Tam Long An on home turf in their next match.

National First Class Chess Championships opens in Vung Tau

As many as 65 players are taking part in the 2015 Vietnam National First Class Chess Championships which officially kicked off on April 3 in Vung Tau City, in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

Chess players, including 48 men and 17 women, represent 11 teams across the country such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City and Ministry of Public Security.

They will compete in a round robin qualification tournament for 11 positions in the men’s event and 9 positions in the women’s category.

Gathering an array of skilled players, many of which have gained various outstanding achievements in both domestic and international tournaments, the event expects to see some fierce and high-quality competition.

The most outstanding players will be chosen to attend the most important national and international championships this year.

The National First Class Chess Championships will run until April 10.

10, 000 workers join in 2015 Nike Cup Maneuvers

The second Nike Cup for staffs, workers and students was opened at Ton Duc Thang University Stadium in district 7, Ho Chi Minh City yesterday.

Attending in the opening ceremony was nearly 10, 000 staffs, workers and students, who are working and studying in textiles and garment companies, universities, press agencies in Ho Chi Minh City, and the southeast and southwest provinces.

This year’s maneuvers attracted the participation of 855 athletes, dividing into 36 futsal men and women teams and 12 women badminton teams.

Danang prepares for international marathon

The central city will hold the Danang International Marathon 2015 on August 30, the city's culture and society department official Hoang Son Tra has said.

he event, which has been included in the schedule of the International Amateur Athletics Association-Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (IAAF-AIMS), is expected to draw 1,500 professional marathoners from across the world, who will compete in marathon (42km), half marathon (21km) and Fun Run and Walk (5km), and 5,000 amateurs and tourists.

According to Tra, the athletes competing in the Danang International Marathon will qualify for the Boston Marathon.

The one-day event, which is organised by World Marathon Inc and Vice-Chairman of International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF), Dave Cundy, will consist of a two-lap route, starting from the East Sea Park, for the full marathon.

The marathon is one of several international events, including the Fireworks Competition, Iron man and yachting, which will be held in the city this year.

Last year, 3,500 participants, including 400 professional marathoners from 25 countries and territories, competed in the race.

Athletes can register for the marathon at www.rundanang.com.

Chervo Open to tee off in Hanoi

The first Chervo Open golf tournament will tee off on April 19 at Ha Noi's Sky Lake Resort & Golf Club.

It is expected to attract more than 140 male and female players.

"The Chervo Open will be the biggest amateur event held in the country, and the winners will receive huge prizes," said Pham Viet Thang, head of the organising board.

Sky Lake, which is one of of Asia's premium destinations,is considered the most challenging course in Vietnam.

VNS/SGGP/Nhan Dan/VNA