VFF unveils provisional squad for Cup qualifier

The Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) announced a draft list of 50 players who will prepare for the qualifier of the 2015 Asian Cup yesterday, Jan 8.

The list includes seven strikers, 18 midfielders, 18 defenders and seven goalkeepers, with many familiar names who have been key elements of the national team for years: three-time Golden Ball winner and forward Le Cong Vinh, goalies Nguyen Thanh Binh and Nguyen Tan Truong, defenders Nguyen Gia Tu, Nguyen Minh Duc and Tran Dinh Dong and midfielders Pham Thanh Luong, Nguyen Van Quyet and Nguyen Trong Hoang.

The VFF also drafted veteran players who displayed their talents in the last V-League season such as defender Tran Chi Cong, Nguyen Hoang Quang and Huynh Quang Thanh as well as midfielder Mai Tien Thanh and striker Nguyen Anh Duc.

Following their plan to rejuvenate the team, VFF gave 29 young players (both members of the national under-22 squad and various local clubs) the chance to shine.

The list will be narrowed to 23 players during the coming training courses. The first summon will start on January 23 in Ha Noi.

In the first match Viet Nam will play the United Arab Emirates on their home turf of My Dinh Stadium on February 6.

The second match will be against Hong Kong on March 22.

To prepare, the squad will warm up at a friendly match with the South Korean Hyundai Mipo Dolphins at Hang Day Stadium on January 31.

Xuan Thanh Sai Gon sign new goalkeeper coach

Xuan Thanh Sai Gon Cement has welcomed new goalkeeper coach Amir Doksanaltic in preparation for their coming season.

Doksanaltic, 49, is from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He received his coaching licence in 2001 and goalkeeper licence five years later from the German Football Federation.

He got familiar with the Southeast Asian football environment when working as head coach for the Brunei National Team in 2005-06, but he did not make any achievements during this time.

Doksanaltic replaces Xuan Thanh Sai Gon's former coach Nguyen Van Phung, who recently signed a contract with Hai Phong.

Xuan Thanh Sai Gon's executive director Tran Tien Dai said he was satisfied with Doksanaltic's performance during tests at the club.

In their debut in 2012, Xuan Thanh Sai Gon – then known as the Sai Gon FC – ranked third overall, making a big bang in the national premier league.

Hotshot Quyen agrees to terms with Vissai Ninh Binh

The V-League's Vissai Ninh Binh signed a one-year contract with Pham Van Quyen on Monday.

Quyen, once called Viet Nam's genius footballer, will receive about VND25 million (US$1,200) per month, which is in the highest salary group of the team. However, the contract stipulates that Quyen has to follow extreme discipline. If he breaks regulations, Quyen will be strictly fined and see his salary cut.

The club managers said if Quyen plays well during the first half of the V-League this season they will consider extending his contract.

Quyen has been a free player for months. He failed to find a suitable club after his poor performance last season wearing the Song Lam Nghe An jersey.

Ninh Binh are a top national club. They stood eighth in the 2012 V-League.

Source: VNS