VIETNAM OUT TO END THAI DOMINANCE

Utilising mostly players which have done well to qualify into the second round of the Beijing Olympic qualifiers, Vietnam have even decided to drop two of their young Under-21 stars in favour of slightly older boys.

The two U21 lads who have been left out of the SEA Games in Korat, Thailand are Nguyen Quang Hai and Tu Huu Phuoc.

Vietnam have faced Thailand four times in the final of the SEA Games in 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2005 and have suffered the humiliation of losing the competition’s biggest prize.

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNDER-23 TEAM

GOALKEEPERS: Tran Duc Cuong, To Vinh Loi and Bui Tan Truong.

DEFENDERS: Doan Viet Cuong, Mai Xuan Hop, Vo Nhat Tan, Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Nguyen Dai Dong, Huynh Quang Thanh and Chau Phong Hoa.

MIDFIELDERS: Nguyen Quy Suu, Vo Duy Nam, Nguyen Minh Chuyen, Le Tan Tai, Nguyen Vu Phong, Phung Cong Minh and Mai Tien Thanh.

STRIKERS: Le Cong Vinh, Nguyen Anh Duc and Phan Thanh Binh.

IN THE MEANTIME, Matsubara of Brazil won the BTV Cup this week when they beat Dong Tam Long An 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

The score at the end of regulation was 1-1.

Dong Tam Long An’s early lead in the seven minutes off a header from Antonio Rodrigues was cancelled out by a rebound shot from Neguetti, who slammed home shortly after the restart.

ROLL OF HONOUR

CHAMPIONS: Matsubara (USD 20,000)

RUNNERS-UP: Dong Tam Long An (USD 10,000)

THIRD: Daejeon (USD 5,000)

TOP SCORER: Salatiel (Matsubara)

BEST GOALIE: Rodolfo (Matsubara)

PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT: Nguyen Minh Phuong