Binh Duong lose opening match at Thailand football cup

Hosts Chonburi FC defeated Becamex Binh Duong FC 3-1 in the opening match of Thaland’s 2013 Chang Choburi Cup on January 26.  

Chonburi opened the scoring in the 30th minute of the first half.

Becamex Binh Duong came back with an equalizer before the intervals.

Chonburi’s pressing tactics paid off in the second half. They moved ahead 2-1 in the 76th minute, and Thiago sealed the 3-1 victory with a goal in the final minute of the match.

Becamex Binh Duong will now play Suphanburi Club on January 28.

The tournament—an international friendly—has attracted leading Thai clubs, Vietnam’s Becamex Binh Duong Club, and the Republic of Korea’s K-League Busan IPARK.

National team fares well in friendly match

The national football team defeated Vicem Hai Phong 2-0 in a friendly match at Hai Phong Stadium on Saturday.

Nguyen Gia Tu and Hoang Danh Ngoc scored either side of half-time to provide a timely confidence boost ahead of Viet Nam's Asian Cup qualifier next month.

Their next warm-up match will be against former V-League champions Ha Noi T&T today at the Ha Noi Stadium.

Saigon Heat tops ABL rankings

Vietnam’s professional basketball team Saigon Heat outplayed Filipino rival Beermen on January 26, staying atop the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) rankings.

The 1,500-seat Tan Binh Competition House in HCM City was packed by eager spectators, many of whom were Philippine residents working in the city, Saigon Heat advanced to first after defeating Filipino rival Beermen at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Binh District Competition Hall on January 26.

Supported by home spectators, Saigon heat finished the first quarter with a 23-20 edge courtesy of a late Morrison field goal.

By the end of the third quarter, however, Saigon Heat were trailing 62-68. They rallied in the fourth to eventually win 92-89.

In the day’s other fixture, Indonesia Warriors triumphed over Westports Malaysia Dragons 79-72.

The Saigon Heat will travel to Beermen’s home court in the Philippines for a rematch on February 1.

Vietnamese stars ready for marathon challenge

Tran Van Loi and Nguyen Ngoc Hau will represent Viet Nam at the Asian Marathon Championships, which will begin in the Indian city of Chennai on February 24.

Loi is the national champion while Hau is a rising star in the country. Both runners are from Binh Phuoc Province and train under coach Tran Doan Minh Thien.

According to local experts, Viet Nam's athletics have no chance at the continental tournament, but the duo have been tasked with learning as much as possible from their rivals and the experience.

VNN/VOV/VNS