Asian stars shine at Yonex – Sunrise Việt Nam Open 2018

Shesar Hiren Rhustavito (right) of Indonesia won the men’s singles at the Yonex – Sunrise Việt Nam Open 2018. 

The final rounds of the Yonex – Sunrise Việt Nam Open 2018, which concluded on Sunday at Nguyễn Du Cultural Sports Club in HCM City, saw many Asian badminton stars claim victory. In the men’s singles, Shesar Hiren Rhustavito of Indonesia beat Ajiay Jayaram of India 2-0 (21-14, 21-10).

In the women’s singles, Yeo Jia Min of Singapore defeated Han Yue of mainland China 2-0 (21-19, 21-19) to become champion. In the mixed doubles, Nipitphon Phuangphuapet and Savitree Amitrapai of Thailand defeated Alfian Eko Prasetva and Marsheilla Gischa Islami of Indonesia 2-1 (13-21, 21-18, 21-19).

In the men’s doubles, Ko Sung Hyun and Shin Baek Cheol of South Korea beat Lee Sheng Mu and Yang Po-Hsuan of Taiwan 2-0 (22-20, 21-18).  

In the women’s doubles, Misato Aramata and Akane Watanabe of Japan saw off fellow nationals Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida 2-0 (21-18, 21-19).

Deputy head of HCM City’s Badminton Federation Hoàng Thị Thu Hà said this year’s tourney was elevated to World Tour 100, so players were all highly ranked. “There was no big distance between players from the qualifying rounds and main rounds. The high level of professionalism helped the tourney attract viewers.”

The total prize of the tourney was US$75,000. 

SLNA beat Sài Gòn FC at final round of National U15 Football Champ

SLNA celebrates first victory at National U15 Football Champ – Thái Sơn Bắc Cup 2018. — Photo vff.org.vn

Sông Lam Nghệ An (SLNA) defeated Sài Gòn FC 2-1 in the first match of the final round of the National U15 Football Champ – Thái Sơn Bắc Cup 2018, held at Thống Nhất Stadium, Hồ Chí Minh City on Sunday.

SLNA opened the scoring early on, with Ngọc Tú slotting past goalkeeper Trung Nhân.

Sài Gòn FC missed a glorious chance to equalise when Thành Nhân left Trung Hiếu of SLNA behind but failed to put the ball past goalkeeper Cảnh Tiệp.

In second half, Công Huy doubled SLNAs lead, before Quốc Vinh pulled one back for Sài Gòn FC in the 79th minute, but it was too little too late.

In another match, Becamex Bình Dương defeated An Giang 3-1.

Hoàng Long scored a brace for Becamex Bình Dương, with his goals either side of half-time sandwiching a second half leveler from An Giang’s Trí Hùng.

Soon after in the 57th minute, Thế Được extended Bình Dương’s lead to 3-1, a lead they would not relinquish.

The victory brought Bình Dương to the top of group A. 

Thái Sơn Nam finish runners-up at Asian futsal champs

Việt Nam’s Thái Sơn Nam celebrate finishing second at the 2018 AFC Futsal Club Championship in Indonesia on August 12. — Photo nld.mediacdn.vn

Việt Nam’s Thái Sơn Nam finished runners-up at the 2018 AFC Futsal Club Championship in Indonesia on August 12 after losing 4-2 to Mes Sungun Varzaghan of Iran in the final.

Their performance is the best ever by a Vietnamese team and was painstakingly close for Thái Sơn Nam, who have finished third at the event three times.

The Vietnamese side scored the opening goal in the fifth minute, but that was quickly countered by Mes Sungun Varzaghan five minutes. The Iranian club then took the lead from a corner in the 12th minute, but the game was all square before half time thanks to a wonder strike from Trần Văn Vũ.

In the second half, the Iranian team continued to push, and despite Việt Nam’s best efforts, Mes Sungun Varzaghan added two more to clinch the title.

Taking in place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from August 1-12, the event drew the participation of 16 clubs competing in four groups. 

Although the Vietnamese team were unable to claim the crown, they beat strong opposition including Al-Dhafra (the UAE), Naft Al-wassat (Iraq), Jeonju MAG (the Republic of Korea), Nagoya Oceans (Japan), and Bank of Beirut (Lebanon). 

“We fought until the last second, we knew they were stronger, the favourites and the kings of Asia but we held our own against them. Our opponents had more opportunities but our goalkeeper (Hồ Văn Ý) made some good saves that kept us in the game. In the second half, we had chances to equalise, but their goalkeeper made some smart saves and we conceded a penalty late in the second half. They were superior but it was a great experience for us. I was a little surprised as luck was with us throughout the tournament,” said head coach Miguel Rodrigo on the-afc.com.

“We were on the verge of getting knocked out twice and we bounced back to win those games. My players train hard at a very high level and they have come out as winners today. Hopefully a new national team has been born today," Rodrigo added.

Coach Hamid Bigham Tabrizi of Mes Sungun Varzaghan said that it had been a very tough match for his team.

“It was a very tough match and both teams showed that they have the right to be champions. Thái Sơn Nam are a good team and I wish them well. We did our best and played our game but at the same time we did exactly what we wanted to do. Our focus next is to win the league and of course to defend our title next year," said Tabrizi. 

Le Quang Liem reaches rank 17 at UAE

Liêm is now ranked 17th at the 25th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival. 

Top Vietnamese chess player Lê Quang Liêm (elo 2,727) beat Fier Alexandr from Brazil (elo 2,561) in the sixth set of the 25th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival on Monday.

Liêm took white and beat Alexandr after 47 moves.

With this victory, Liêm got 4.5 points after 6 days of competition and was ranked 17th.

At present, Liêm is ranked after two players Dubov Daniil of Russia and Korobov Anton of Ukraine. He will meet Salem Saleh of UAE (elo 2,636), ranked 3rd on the 7th day of competition.

Young talent Nguyễn Anh Khôi (elo 2,454) lost to Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbek (elo 2,539) after 39 moves.

Khôi was ranked 42 with 3.5 points. His opponent in the next set is Dushyant Sharma (2,221) of India. 

Cantho Catfish defeat Saigon Heat at VBA 2018

Tavarion Nix (3) poured in 33 points to Saigon Heat at VBA 2018. — Photo Courtesy of organisers

Cantho Catfish secured their title after beating Saigon Heat in the 41st game of the Việt Nam Basketball Association (VBA)’s League, held on August 12 at CIS Gymnasium.

Saigon Heat had the better start, soon leading 7-2, but Tâm Đinh, De Angelo Hamilton, Nguyễn Phú Hoàng and Lê Hiếu Thành soon helped the Catfish end first quarter 30-11.

Though Saigon Heat shortened the gap to 32-49, scoring 25 points in the third quarter, the Catfish still dominated the hosts 73-57.  

For the rest of the quarter, tireless efforts of Tavarion Nix and Trần Đăng Khoa helped the Heat shorten the score to 75-85. Yet, their hard work was undone by the Sang Đinh and De Angelo Hamilton.

Cantho Catfish eventually won 91-80, becoming the highest scoring team.

MVP Hamilton scored 29 points, 18 rebounds, 4 steals, 5 blocks, Tâm gave 12 points, 11 rebounds, Hoàng poured in 11 points, Sang (18 points) and Thành gave 11 points to the Catfish.

For Saigon Heat, Nix gave 33 points, 15 rebounds, and Khoa got 13 points, 9 rebounds.

In the coming matches, Cantho Catfish will be back to their home ground Cần Thơ Gymnasium to meet Danang Dragons today, while Saigon Heat will face Thang Long Warriors on the same day.

Việt Nam’s first professional boxing tournament

The first HBF Boxing Tournament (another name Pro Boxing Tournament), is organised by Hồ Chí Minh City Boxing Federation. — Photo giaoduc.edu.vn

For the first time, Việt Nam is holding a first professional boxing tournament.

The HBF Boxing Tournament is being organised by Hồ Chí Minh City Boxing Federation.

Fighters who are above 18 years-old of any nationality and legally residing in Việt Nam are eligible to enter.

Chairman of the federation Nguyễn Đức An Sơn said boxing in HCM City is witnessing fast development, “Therefore, we decided to organise the tournament under the standard of the international boxing federation, with hopes to seek out talents for Việt Nam’s boxing, as well as helping upgrade it to a professional level.”

The tournament is scheduled to take place every two months, with 10 fights each time.

The prize for winning a fight is US$428, the loser gets $214 and winning by knock-out gets extra $85.

The first tournament will be held at Lan Anh Sports Club, District 10 on September 30. 

National women’s volleyball team wins at VTV champ

Việt Nam national women’s volleyball team became the champion of VTV International Women’s Volleyball Champ. — Photo vgcloud.vn

The Việt Nam national women’s volleyball team has beaten the People’s Democratic Republic of North Korea team 3-0 in the final of the VTV International Women’s Volleyball Champ, which concluded in Hà Tĩnh Province on Saturday.

With this victory, Việt Nam became the champions of the tournament and got the prize of US$10,000.

This is the fifth triumph of the team, following previous tournaments in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2014.

The visiting North Korean team held a speedy style and good defence, but the absence of their outstanding setter Jong Jin Sim weakened their attack.

Meanwhile, for Việt Nam, libero Kim Liên saved the ball many times, while setter Linh Chi passed decisively to hitters Thanh Thúy, Đinh Thúy, Kim Thanh, Trà Giang and Bùi Thị Ngà.

The tournament aimed to help the team prepare for the upcoming ASIAD, set for Indonesia from August 17.

Various awards were also given during the tournament’s closing ceremony.

Best first setter went to Ekaterina Belova of Kazakhtan’s Altay Club and Zhang Hong Lin of Chinese Sichuan Club, best second setter went to Zhang Xiaoya of Sichuan Club and Bùi Thị Ngà from Việt Nam, and best libero went to Nguyễn Thị Kim Liên from Việt Nam.

The Miss VTV Volleyball award went to Đặng Thị Kim Thanh of Việt Nam.