VIETNAM PREPARES AGAINST AFGHAN

DECEMBER 21, 2006 (VIETNAM): The Vietnam Olympic squad has called on 30 players to prepare a side which will take on Afghanistan in their opening match of the Olympic qualifiers in early 2007.

Vietnam will take on Afghanistan at home on February 7 before playing in the return leg a week later.

Among the players who have been given the faith to lead the Vietnam side are internationals Mai Tien Thanh, Nguyen Van Bien, Nguyen Vu Phong, Nguyen Minh Chuyen, Nguyen Anh Duc, Le Cong Vinh and Phan Thanh Binh.

Four other players who did well at the recent Asian Games in Qatar will be joining the squad at a later date.

The four players are To Vinh Loi who plays for PISICO Binh Dinh, Tran Duc Cuong (Da Nang), Nguyen Quy Suu and Luong Van Duoc Em, both of whom play for Dong Thap in the V-League.

The Vietnamese Olympic team will be named on January 3.

THE VIETNAM SQUAD
GOALKEEPER:To Vinh Loi, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Tran Duc Cuong, Nguyen Thanh Tung.

DEFENDER:Nguyen Thanh Long Giang, Tran Quoc Anh, Vo Nhat Tan, Doan Viet Cuong, Mai Xuan Hop, Dong Huy Thai , Mai Tien Thanh, Nguyen Van Bien.

MIDFIELDER:Nguyen Cong Minh, Nguyen Quang Tinh, Nguyen Quy Suu, Chau Phong Hoa, Nguyen Vu Phong, Hong Trong Phu, Phung Cong Minh, Phan Thanh Hung, Ngiuyen Minh Chuyen, Vo Duy Nam, Vu Thanh Tung.

STRIKERS:Nguyen Anh Duc, Le Cong Vinh, Phan Thanh Binh, Luong Van Duoc Em, Nguyen Van Khai, Huynh Phuc Hiep, Ho Ngoc Huy.