Vietnam face Japan in playoff

Viet Nam will play Japan in a fifth-place playoff at the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship in China today, May 28.

It will be the second time the two sides meet. Viet Nam won against Japan in their group round last week by 16-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 18-16.

Viet Nam came from behind yesterday to defeat Iran 18-21, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18.

The team's first victory occurred in the second stage of the qualification.

Toan may not play in SEA Games opener

Striker Nguyen Van Toan is not ready to play in Viet Nam's opening match in the Southeast Asian Games' Group B on Friday in Singapore.

Striker Nguyen Van Toan's injury may keep him out of Viet Nam's SEA Games opener. — Photo vietbao.vn

Toan suffered a twisted ankle last week during a friendly match against Myanmar. He has not yet recovered from the injury and has to do executive exercises with physical trainer Kubo Shinichi.

Coach Toshyia Miura will wait till today (May 28), the last day, before announcing his final squad, for which he has to kick out two players.

Viet Nam's premier multi-sport event, the Le Fruit Off-road Triathlon, will take place on Saturday at Ho Tram Beach in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

The event includes a swim in the Eastern Sea, bike ride toward the rainforest, and run along the beach.

This year, new challenges include a duathlon (no-swimming option), a families' trophy, and two triathlon events for children.

Participants in the 14th event include expatriates, local Vietnamese and others from abroad.

For more information, and to register to participate, visit the organiser's website www.lefruittriathlon.tumblr.com.

All proceeds from the event will go toward relief efforts to rebuild the village of Taksindu Solukhumbu in Nepal.  

Lam signs contract with Hai Phong

Russian-born goalkeeper Dang Van Lam signed off on a new contract with V.League 1's Hai Phong team yesterday, May 27.

The contract said Lam will start playing in the second leg of the tournament on July 4 and it will remain valid till the end of the season on September 20. Lam, 22, will begin training with his new team by the end of this week.

In Hai Phong, Lam will have to vie for an official spot on the team against experienced Thanh Thang and Xuan Viet.

"I want to play in Viet Nam. With the Hai Phong jersey I will have chance to show my passion and ability," Lam said.

In Russia, the 1.88m-tall Lam trained in Spartak Moskva and Dynamo Moskva.

He used to play for the Hoang Anh Gia Lai team in 2010 and was called to play on the U19 national team, which won a silver medal in the 2011 regional championships.

Two years ago, he began playing for Hoang Anh Attapeu under a loan contract in Laos. Lam returned to Russia last year to compete for FC Rodina and take charge of goalkeeper training for the club.

After 12 rounds of the V.League 1, Hai Phong are at seventh with 19 points.