Minh opens World Championships bid against Howard Shu

Vietnamese player Nguyen Tien Minh will meet Howard Shu of the US in the first match of the Badminton World Federation's World Championships, according to the draw made on Monday. It is the first match between Minh, seeded No 20 in the world, and Shu, who is seeded No 68.

Last year, Minh lost to former world No 1 and Olympic champion Lin Dan of China in the semi-finals and got a bronze medal, marking one of his best achievements.

On the women's side, Vietnamese player Nguyen Thi Trang will face Vicente Lohaynny of Brazil. It is an unequal match as Trang is world No 103, while Lohaynny is seeded No 65.

The world championships will be organised from August 25 to 31 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

VFF bans Nam for three years following misconduct hearing

The Viet Nam Football Federation's (VFF) Discipline Department has banned coach Nguyen Thanh Nam of Thang Long FC for three years.

Nam had reacted aggressively during a quarter-final match between Thang Long FC and Phu Yen at the National Children Football Championship in Can Tho City.

Nam also asked his players to leave the match without taking permission. Thang Long FC receiving a warning from VFF for this action on August 7.

Nam has the right to appeal to VFF following the ban, which became effective from August 8, the day the decision was taken.

The championship ended last Sunday, with Hai Duong winning the title and Thai Binh coming second. Phu Yen and Long An shared the third place.

Vietnamese men draw with Armenia at Chess Olympiad

Vietnamese grandmasters (GM) yesterday drew with their Armenian counterparts in the penultimate match of the World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

GM Nguyen Duc Hoa was the only Vietnamese player to win a match. He defeated GM Sergei Movsesian. GMs Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son and Le Quang Liem drew with two players who had higher Elo ratings.

GM Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy, however, could not achieve a surprise win over GM Vladimir Akopian in the fourth match.

The Vietnamese players have five points and are ranked No 18. They will face Spain in the final round.

The women's team, meanwhile, lost 1.5-2.5 to the US players.

International master (IM) Pham Le Thao Nguyen had a perfect win over GM Sabina-Francesca Foisor.

Viet Nam's champion WIM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung drew her game with GM Irina Krush.

However, her teammates were defeated in the rest two matches.

The team, now placed No 29, will next play El Salvador.

VN youngsters beat Indonesia at Brunei football tournament

Viet Nam defeated Indonesia 3-1, in the third round of the ASEAN Youth Football Championship, for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy in Brunei yesterday. All three goals by the Vietnamese were scored in the first half while the Indonesians narrowed the score near the end of the second half.

Luong Xuan Truong opened the scoring just six minutes from the beginning. Murdianto let through the second goal 30 minutes later when Nguyen Phong Hong Duy stole a ball from the central area and made a straight shot from a 30m distance.

Captain Nguyen Cong Phuong completed a triple for Viet Nam in added time. The striker broke through the weak Indonesian defence and kicked to the far right corner of Murdianto.

The only goal for the ASEAN U-19 defending champions was by David Maulana, after a mistake from the other side.

Viet Nam, as a result, revenged their loss to Indonesia in the final of the regional championship last year. In the next match on Saturday, they will play hosts Brunei.