VietNamNet Bridge – Hosts SHB Da Nang and Yokohama FC of Japan played out a goalless draw in an international friendly in the central city’s Hoa Xuan Stadium on Saturday.

Defenders of SHB Da Nang block an attack from Yokohama FC of Japan in a friendly match in Da Nang. The match ended in a goalless draw. — VNS Photo Hoang Quan

The match was also a farewell to Da Nang’s former coach Le Huynh Duc and the debut of new coach Nguyen Minh Phuong.

SHB Da Nang failed to hit top form after only two-weeks training under the new coach in preparation for the new season.

The hosts played the match to test their new foreign players Brandon McDonald of the US territory of Guam, Zeba Josip from Croatia and Brazilian Rosa Tardin Douglas and their domestic players after a long break.

With the game deadlocked at half time, Brazilian coach Edson Araujo Tavares of Yokohama sent on ace Ibba Laajab of Norway to seek a winner match, but the team failed to score.

Striker Ngoc Thang came closest for Da Nang with a header that skimmed the post in the second half.

SHB did well to repel Yokohama’s fierce attacks in the last minutes of the second half.

Da Nang’s people’s committee also honoured former SHB coach Le Huynh Duc for his contribution to the team over the past 10 years.

Tavares, who coached Vietnam team for two spells in 1996 and 2004, and Yokohama FC will keep training in Da Nang till January 23 before flying back to Japan in preparation for the Japanese League 2.

The friendly was part of activities in celebration the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Vietnam as well as Da Nang and Japanese cities.  

Source: VNS