Viet Nam bow to Thailand in LienVietPostBank semis

Việt Nam team seen in the LienVietPostBank International Men’s Volleyball Tournament. — Photo volleyball.vn

Thailand whipped Việt Nam 3-0 in the LienVietPostBank International Men’s Volleyball Tournament semi-final held at the Hà Nam gymnasium in northern Hà Nam province on May 30.

Vietnamese head coach Phùng Công Hưng used his best line-up for the game to try to beat their Thai arch rivals, but his players failed to penetrate the solid defence of Thailand and had to settle for a sorry loss.

Earlier, Việt Nam defeated Thailand 3-1 in the qualifying round, shocking the regional volleyball powerhouse.

Việt Nam have lost to Thailand in four consecutive editions of the South East Asian Games.

In 2011, Việt Nam was defeated by Thailand in four sets in the qualifying round. Two years later, Thailand won their semi-final match in three sets. Việt Nam absorbed a 3-0 loss in the 2015 final, and bowed to the Thais in five sets in the 2017 semi-final round. 

Việt Nam Coal and Mineral draw against Hà Nội

The match between Việt Nam Coal and Mineral and Hà Nội FC within the fourth round of the National Women’s Football Championship – Thái Sơn Bắc Cup concluded in a 1-1 draw yesterday.

The match between Việt Nam Coal and Mineral and Hà Nội FC within the fourth round of the National Women’s Football Championship – Thái Sơn Bắc Cup concluded in a 1-1 draw yesterday.

With two previous victories, Việt Nam Coal and Mineral entered their third match against their Hà Nội counterpart, which was held in Hà Nam stadium, with confidence. The first half of the match passed by with opportunities created by both teams, but ended goalless.

In the 74th minute, Nguyễn Thị Thanh Huyền of Hà Nội suddenly scored an own goal in a messy situation within the penalty box, presenting the first goal to Việt Nam Coal and Mineral. However, 14 minutes later, Hà Nội equalised after consecutive missed opportunities, with a goal by Nguyễn Thị Huế. The match ended at 1-1.

With this draw, Hà Nội FC maintains their position at first in the rankings with 10 points while Việt Nam Coal and Mineral ranks second with 7 points.

In another match within the fourth round of the tournament, Phong Phú Hà Nam defeated TNG Thái Nguyên 2-0.

Sanna Khánh Hòa suffer another defeat

Sanna Khánh Hòa vs Thái Sơn Nam in the eighth round of the first leg of the National HDBank Futsal Championship held in Đà Nẵng yesterday. — Photo vov.vn

Sanna Khánh Hòa lost to Thái Sơn Nam 6-1 in the eighth round of the first leg of the National HDBank Futsal Championship yesterday.

The match was held at Tiên Sơn Sports Palace in Đà Nẵng City.

This is the fifth loss of Khánh Hòa in this leg of the championship.

“During training our team didn’t have chances to compete with other teams to hone their skills and gain experience, so we met difficulties at the ongoing event,” coach Đặng Đình Khang said.

“The second leg will also provide challenges, but I hope that our players will fight back to gain better results,” said Khang.

Khánh Hòa were the runners-up in the annual championship in both 2013 and 2014. They won the trophy in 2015.

In another match, Cao Bằng crushed Thái Sơn Bắc 7-2.

Thái Sơn Bắc will meet Khánh Hòa in the last match of the first leg on June 2.

Cantho Catfish dismantle Saigon Heat in VBA Preseason

Cantho Catfish vs Saigon Heat in the first match of the Việt Nam Basketball Association (VBA) Preseason 2018. — Photo bongda.com.vn

The Cantho Catfish defeated Saigon Heat, 108-75, in the first match of the Việt Nam Basketball Association (VBA) Preseason 2018.

The match was held May 31 at the Cần Thơ Gymnasium in the southern province of Cần Thơ. Despite the loss, the Heat’s young players, most of whom are not even 20 years old, proved their mettle against a veteran Catfish team.

Võ Huy Hoàn paced the inexperienced Saigon team with 11 points.

Although the Heat were challenged during the loss, its players are expected to be the foundation for the team in the near future.

According Saigon Heat CEO Connor Nguyễn, the team’s focus in this year’s VBA is to develop young players.

Meanwhile, the Catfish shone in the preseason opening game, drawing outstanding performances from rookie Nguyễn Phú Hoàng, who scored 29 points, DeAngelo Hamilton, who tallied 10 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks, and captain Lê Hiếu Thành, who shot 24 points. 

Júnior out for two months with calf injury

Brazilian striker Claudecir dos Reis Rodrigues Júnior of Quảng Nam. — Photo laodong.vn

Brazilian striker Claudecir dos Reis Rodrigues Júnior of Quảng Nam suffered a major injury during a V.League 1 game and needs at least two months to recover.

Júnior broke his calf bone after clashing with midfielder Đình Luật of HCM City in the first minutes of the 10th round game on May 30.

According to coach Hoàng Văn Phúc, the 28-year-old striker’s absence will be a loss for defending champions Quảng Nam.

“Júnior was in good form and playing well in recent matches,” Phúc said. “I regret that he can’t play the next games for Quảng Nam. Without him, Quảng Nam will find it hard to gain good results.”

Júnior has scored three goals for Quảng Nam so far.

Quảng Nam is currently seventh out of 14 teams with 13 points after 10 matches. Hà Nội is on top of the table with 26 points, followed by Quảng Ninh Coal with 20 points.