Culture - Sports

Hanoi FC target AFC Champions League berth

V. League 1 champions Hanoi FC will play Thai League runners-up Bangkok United in the first qualification match of the AFC Champions League on February 12 evening in Bangkok.
Hanoi FC target AFC Champions League berth ảnh 1Hanoi FC will play Bangkok United in the AFC Champions League. (Source: vietbao.vn)

Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - V. League 1champions Hanoi FC will play Thai League runners-up Bangkok United in the firstqualification match of the AFC Champions League on February 12 evening inBangkok.

The team left for the match on February 10 withall of their best players, including new signing national goalkeeper Bui Tien Dungand former Guam midfielder Brandon McDonald. 

Victory would be a first step to securing aberth in the final round of the continent’s top tournament.

"This target shows our big ambition toaccess the higher-level competition. It is not easy as we can see the poorresults of Vietnamese clubs when participating here in the past. However, weare given a target we will do our best," said head coach Chu DinhNghiem.

Vietnamese clubs have historically struggled inAsia’s premier competition, with Becamex Binh Duong’s single win in thegroup stage in 2016 the best any local side has managed.

To prepare properly, Nghiem and his teamjust enjoyed the Lunar New Year celebrations for two days and returned totraining last Wednesday. He will bring his strongest side, including eightnational team players, to Bangkok.

This is the fifth year the team have entered thequalifiers of the contest. They have yet to advance to the group phase of thecompetition, slipping out in the playoffs in 2014, 2015 2016 and 2017.

On the other side, Bangkok United featureto national members such as Manuel Bihr, Mika Chunuonsee, Sumanya Purisai,Tristan Do, Pokklaw Anan and Sanrawat

They have been one of three strongest teams inthe Thai League under Brazilian coach Alexandre Polking since 2014.

Bangkok United will make their third appearancein the AFC Champions League and their second in three seasons after lastfeaturing in the qualifying rounds in 2017. 

The match will be at the Thammasat Stadium,Pathum Thani from 7pm local time.

If they win, Hanoi FC will next meet Shandong Luneng ofChina in the second qualifier on February 19.

But if they lose they will drop to the AFC Cup’s Group F wherethey will face Naga World (Cambodia), Tampines Rovers (Singapore) and YangonUnited (Myanmar) starting on February 26.-VNS/VNA
VNA
#Hanoi FC#AFC Champions League#Thai League#goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung#Vietnamplus#Vietnam News#Vietnam News Agency
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

V.League to begin on March 10

V.League to begin on March 10

V.League 2018 will begin at Tam Ky Stadium on March 10, with a match between defending champions Quang Nam FC and Saigon FC.
V.League 2018 expected to be a success

V.League 2018 expected to be a success

The 2018 season of V.League, which will begin on March 10, is expected to attract more football fans to stadiums thanks to the effects of the U23’s outstanding performance at the Asia Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship in China last January, experts said.

See more

Vietnamese football players try to put pressure on their opponents but spurned chances to break the duck. (Photo: VNA)

Football: Vietnam held to goalless home draw by Kyrgyzstan

Vietnamese could not make home ground advantage count as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Kyrgyzstan at the Group I of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025 Qualifiers held in the northern province of Phu Tho on October 23.

The excavation covers an area of over 6,000sq.m with 60 research pits, each measuring 100sq.m. (Photo courtesy of the Institute of Archaeology)

Over 100 burials from 4000 years ago discovered in Hanoi

Archaeologists from the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology, the Hanoi Museum and the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities have announced the discovery of over 70 graves from the pre-Dong Son period and 40 graves from Dong Son period at the Vuon Chuoi archaeological relic in Kim Chung commune, Hoai Duc district.

Pho bo (Vietnamese beef noodle soup) and nem ran (fried spring rolls) attract the attention of many Korean and foreign visitors at a festival in the Republic of Korea. (Photo: VNA)

Festival promotes Vietnam-RoK cultural exchange

A cultural festival has been held in Uijeongbu city of the Republic of Korea (RoK)'s Gyeonggi province to mark the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam Women’s Association (VWA) in the country.

The women dance to the tunes of the “Nguoi Ha Noi (Hanoi people)”, “Tien ve Ha Noi” (Marching to Hanoi), and “Ha Noi nhung cong trinh” (Hanoi’s construction works)” songs. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi Ao dai dance marks Vietnamese women’s day

More than 70,000 women from across the capital city of Hanoi dressed up in Ao dai (traditional long dress) and participated in a folk dance ensemble on October 20 to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Hanoi and the 94th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Women’s Union.

Runners compete in the Vietnam Jungle Marathon last year. This year, the event will welcome around 1,500 runners from almost 40 nations. (Photos courtesy of the organising board)

Vietnam Jungle Marathon welcomes runners from around the world

The Vietnam Jungle Marathon (VJM) returns for its seventh edition, welcoming around 1,500 runners from almost 40 nations to the stunning trails of Pu Luong Nature Reserve in Thanh Hoa province on October 19, featuring picturesque 10km to 70km routes.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam attends UNESCO Executive Board’s 220th session in France

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc led a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 220th session of the UNESCO Executive Board on October 14-16 in Paris, which saw the participation of representatives from 58 member countries and over 100 observer countries.

Vietnamese men's football is set to enter the top eight in Asia and qualify for World Cup. (Photo: VNA)

Sports development strategy approved

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has signed a decision approving the sports development strategy until 2030 with a vision to 2050, with an aim to promote the sector in a sustainable and professional direction.

An exhibition held during the annual international ArtTech Fusion event last year (Photo courtesy of UEH)

HCM City to host international ArtTech event

New technological applications in the ArtTech field will be showcased at the annual international ArtTech Fusion event that will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from October 22-24.

The reenactment of a royal procession in the late 19 century at the National Museum of Asian Art. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Week in US helps promote Vietnamese cultural heritage

The Vietnam Week 2024 has been held in Washington D.C, the US, from October 4-12, aiming to honour the country’s rich cultural heritage, enrich Vietnamese-American people's identity and commend the achievements of the Vietnamese-American community.