VN to face China in qualifier

Viet Nam's women football team will play China in the opener of the Brazil Olympics' third qualification round on February 29, in Osaka, Japan.

Viet Nam's women football team will play China in the first match of the third qualification round of the 2016 Olympics. Photo thethaotv.vn

The match in the Group A will be organised at the Yanmar Nagai.

Viet Nam, who is the World No 29 lost all 10 matches against World No 14 China in the past.

In the second match, on March 2, Viet Nam will play Australia.

Their next match will be versus North Korea two days later, followed by games with the host on March 7 and South Korea on March 9.

Tri loses national event opener

Champion Lam Quang Tri failed to defend his title at the National Top Players' Tennis Tournament in HCM City after he withdrew yesterday (Dec 21) because of injury.

Host athlete Tri lost the first set 6-7 (3) to younger rival Vu Aterm of Binh Duong and drew 4-4 in the second set before asking for retirement.

In the second match of the Group B, youngster Nguyen Van Phuong could not create another bang after losing easily 4-6, 5-7 to veteran Hoang Hai in an all-Binh Duong clash.

On Sunday, 14-year-old Phuong created an earthquake of sorts when beating experienced Huynh Chi Khuong, 33, 6-3, 3-6, 10-6 in the qualifying round.

Tri will play Phuong in the second round match today.

In the Group A, title favourites Pham Minh Tuan and Trinh Linh Giang took their wins.

Tuan of Da Nang overcame Military's Dang Ngoc Vinh 6-2, 6-1) while Ha Noi's Giang defeated teammate Nguyen Dac Tien 6-0, 6-3.

In the women's competition, Huynh Phi Khanh won 6-4, 6-3 over Dao Mai Trang in an all-HCM City match in the Group B.

Phan Thi Thanh Binh of Da Nang was defeated by 13-year-old Lian Tran 2-6, 4-6.

Group A also saw a surprise when Tran Thi Tam Hao went down tamely to Si Boi Ngoc 1-6, 4-6. Both them were from the hosts.

Earlier, Nguyen Ngoc Minh Phuong of Thai Nguyen trounced Be Xuyen from Kien Giang 6-3, 6-2.

The tournament, which is known as the Vietravel Cup, also sees the doubles events at the Phu Tho Tennis Club.

Military duo Thanh Hoang/Chi Khuong beat teammates Trung Tinh/Hoang Hieu 6-1, 6-4.

Huu Vinh/Thai Luan of HCM City were beaten 0-6, 3-6 Dac Tien/ Linh Giang from capital city.

The women's clashes will begin today.

The tournament will close on December 25.

Nam, Thang on top goalscorer list

Nguyen Xuan Nam and Le Van Thang of Viet Nam have been listed in the ASEAN's top five scorers of the 2015 season.

Thang of V.League 1 side Can Tho made it to the fifth position by footballchannel.asia with 16 goals, setting a new bar in the Vietnamese league as the top local forward.

Nam, competing for SHB Vientiane of Laos following a loan-contract from Ha Noi T&T.

Nam, who pocketed 22 goals, ranks second in the list.

Chan Vathanaka of Cambodian Boeung Ket Angkor FC comes first with 37.

His teammate Khoun Laboravy has 19 goals and is third.

The fourth position went to Fazrul Nawaz of Singapore's Warriors FC with 18.

Futsal champs throw up no surprises

There were no surprises at the National Futsal Championship as all stronger teams won in HCM City.

Hosts Thai Son Nam trounced Hoang Thu Da Nang 7-2 in the opening match which kicked off yesterday. The former champions will next meet An Phuoc Binh Thuan who beat Sannatech Khanh Hoa 3-2 in the semi-final match.

Thai Son Bac yesterday (Dec 21) lost 4-7 to Hai Phuong Nam. The latter will meet defending champions Sanna Khanh Hoa who overcame Tan Hiep Hung 4-1 in another game.

The winner of the tournament will walk away with VND50 million (US$2,200) on December 24.

VNS