Vietnam U19 to play friendly tournament in Palestine

The tournament, which is called Al-Nakba: From cataclysm to Statehood, will features 10 youth teams from Vietnam, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Mauritania, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and hosts Palestine. It will last from May 14th to 22nd.

HAGL's Akpan wants to be Nigeria No.1

By EPHRAIM NWOSU | Mar 28, 2012

Former  Golden Eaglets goalkeeper, Bassey Akpan,  who currently plays for Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC of Vietnam has declared his readiness to  battle  the like of Vincent Enyeama and Chigozie Agbim for Super Eagles No. 1 shirt. The ex- Heartland keeper who spoke from his base in Vietnam during an exclusive telephone chat with SoccerStar boasted that he had what it takes to man the Super Eagles goal post if invited  by Coach Stephen Keshi.

Nigeria will be  playing three games  in three weeks in June, starting with the World  Cup qualifier against Namibia and Malawi  slated for June 2 and 9 respectively. They will also confront  Rwanda  on June16 in the second leg match of the 2013 African Cup  of Nations qualifying match and Akpan said he wanted to be a part of the action in the three straight qualifying  games.

He said: ''My game has really improved since I came  to Vietnam. So, can I beat my chest that that I am now a better goalkeeper.”

 The national coaches should give me a chance to be a part of  their squad now that I am on top of my game. I think I am equal to the task any time I am called up by the coaches.

“The keepers that are already are good, but I deserve to come and compete for shirt.''

Akpan, it would be recalled, was Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper in the 2010 WAFU  Cup won by Nigeria.

Cambodian club to play friendly with Sai Gon FC

Cambodian side Preah Khan Reach FC are going to have two friendlies with Vietnamese clubs. They will first play against Ninh Thuan FC on April 1st before playing Sai Gon FC at Thong Nhat Stadium on April 4th. Sai Gon FC are currently ranked 3rd in Super League while Preah Khan Reach are leading in C-League table.

South African internationals on trial in Vietnam

Reports from South Africa have confirmed that Toni Nhleko and Reason Chiloane are currently in Vietnam for trials with Vietnamese clubs. Yet club names are not revealed.

Fikru Tefera to leave Thanh Hoa

Tefera's agent Ivica Stankovic has confirmed that the Thanh Hoa striker is likely to leave the club at this transfer window. Despite being given many chances to play, the Ethiopian international failed to prove himself in Super League. He's likely on the move without scoring any goal for Thanh Hoa.

Emil Le Giang trials in Vietnam

Slovakia-Vietnamese forward Emil Le Giang, who was trained in top Slovakian club MSK Zilina and German side Nurnberg, is now in Vietnam, seeking chances with Vietnamese clubs. He is going to have trial with Ha Noi T&T, Vicem Hai Phong and a few clubs in southern Vietnam.

Register window open

Register window for second phase of Super League 2012 is due to be open on March 30th. Vietnamese clubs have four weeks to add new players to their squad before it's closed on April 26th. There will be no break during this period like every year. The fixtures will go on normally and the season break is moved to June when Vietnam U22 and Vietnam national team have international fixtures.

Fact about Sai Gon FC

Since established in late 2010, Sai Gon FC (formerly known as Sai Gon Xuan Thanh) has played 40 games in all domestic competitions, losing only 3.

Sai Gon FC's defeats:

Feb 12, 2011: SLNA 4-2 Sai Gon FC (Vietnam Cup)
July 16, 2011:Tay Ninh 3-1 Sai Gon FC (First Division)
August 7, 2011: Sai Gon FC 2-3 Binh Dinh (First Division)

Highlights: Sai Gon FC 2-0 Ha Noi FC

Kelantan 0-0 Navibank Saigon

Navibank Saigon held MSL champions Kelantan FA to a draw in their opening Group H match at the Bukit Jalil Stadium. Unlike hopeless SLNA, Navibank Saigon fielded their best players last night.

Navibank Saigon line-ups: Phan Van Santos, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Doan Viet Cuong, Vincent Bossou,Nguyen Minh Triet, Dang Khanh Lam (Huynh Duc Nghia 93'), Phan Van Tai Em, Luong Van Duoc Em (Nguyen Duy Khanh 70'), Aniekan, Edison Fonseca, Nguyen Van Nghia (Ngyen Cao Thien 86').