VietNamNet Bridge – In the first match of the qualifier round of the Asian Football Cup (AFC) 2012, the Vietnamese FC used its reserve players and was defeated by the current Malaysian champion at its home stadium.
Before the match, Song Lam Nghe An’s coach Huu Thang stated that the AFC Cup would be a good chance for the team’s young players to practice.

However, in the first match at the Vinh Stadium in central Vietnam, vs Terengganu of Malaysia, Vietnamese players did not play well.

The guest team scored the only goal of the game in the second half. Malaysian players did not perform excellently but they easily won the game.

As one of the poorest FCs at the V-League, Song Lam Nghe An does not give priority to the AFC Cup because it does not want to pay for overseas trips and to save strength for local tournaments.

This was why the team used reserved players in the match yesterday, March 6. Understanding the situation, players did not try at their best. The failure of Song Lam Nghe An had been anticipated.

The 2012 AFC Cup is the 9th edition of the AFC Cup, played between clubs from nations who are members of the Asian Football Confederation.

This is an annual competition among the FCs that are the national champions and national cup winners of 14 Asian member states which are rated at medium level. The Asian countries which are rated at higher ranking participate in the AFC Champion League. The remaining countries join the AFC President’s Cup.

S. Tung