Gia Lai adopt new sponsors; VN coach, referee win golds; PetroVietnam to train in China

Gia Lai adopt new sponsors

Two-time V-League champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who have failed to win the premiership since 2004, will play 2008 champions Da Nang in the opener away from home on January 22.

The team is set to face Hoa Phat Ha Noi in the knock-out round of the National Cup in Ha Noi this Sunday.

The Central Highlands team had strengthened the squad with two Thai-born midfielders and a Brazilian striker, who have been granted Vietnamese citizenship.

Gia Lai also play with Croatian striker Mario Mijatovic, who played for Austrian First League Lustenau and Lask Linz, in the new football season.

Former Thai national team member Dusit Chalermsan, 41, will coach the team.

VN coach, referee win golds

Coach Mai Duc Chung and retired referee Do Dinh Hung were awarded with golden campaign medals from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for their contributions to football.

Chung, who has been coaching football for over 30 years, helped the national women's football team win the Southeast Asian Games twice in 2003 and 2005, while Hung,66, had an 18-year career and spent another 14 years working as a national referee instructor.

The AFC also rewarded three other Viet Nam Football Federation officials with silver and bronze campaign medals.

PetroVietnam to train in China

The PetroVietnam table tennis team will spend a month training in China this March, coach Truong Thoi Nhiem announced yesterday.

The Ha Noi-based team, who signed two-time Olympian Doan Kien Quoc for VND500 million (US$26,000) two years ago, will play in the National Table Tennis Championship in Da Nang city in April.

PetroVietnam were the first Vietnamese team to sign Chinese players Kou Lei and Yang Ce at the International Table Tennis Golden Paddle Tournament last year. 

Source: VNS