Premier League club Everton eyes Vietnamese forward

England’s Premier League club Everton has shown interest in Vietnamese striker Le Cong Vinh, the club's representative has said.

Steve Darby, who is Vietnam’s former national female football team coach, was a spectator at the Hanoi’s Hang Day Stadium to watch Vinh play in Hanoi FC’s game against Khatoco Khanh Hoa in the third round of the country’s top-flight Super League on Saturday.

His club beat visitors Khanh Hoa 4-1 but the 26-year-old Vinh did not make a significant contribution to the home win.

Vinh, whose late header earned Vietnam the ASEAN Football Federation championship in 2008, moved from Song Lam Nghe An to Hanoi T&T in 2009.

He was introduced by Vietnam’s then national men’s football coach Henrique Calisto to Portugal’s top-flight Liga Sagres club Leixoes when the 2009 V-League (currently called Super League) season ended.

However, Vinh did not play very well for Leixoes and returned to play the 2010 V-League season for Hanoi T&T, who won the league championship that year without Vinh’s contributing much.

Vinh moved from Hanoi T&T to Hanoi FC at the end of the 2011 season.

By Son Tung, Thanh Nien News

Teams seek good results ahead of Tet

Football clubs in the Super League are determined to get good results this weekend so they can fully enjoy the Lunar New Year.

But it seems that home teams have the upper hand before the two-week break for the Tet holiday.

Among four early games today, third-place Da Nang will take on second-place Hoang Anh Gia Lai at Chi Lang Stadium. It will be a tight game as both teams are in good form, but the home team will likely take full points.

Ha Noi football club, who lost both games and are rooted to bottom place, have a good opportunity to earn their first win as they host Khanh Hoa at Hang Day Stadium.

Despite playing against Binh Duong, Thanh Hoa are aiming for nothing but three points.

Kien Giang is probably in danger of losing points to Sai Gon football club, who are considered the favourites over the home team.

The most intriguing game of the round is between defending champions Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) and runners-up Ha Noi T&T tomorrow.

This is a rematch of last season's final match between two teams that saw SLNA drawing Ha Noi T&T to earn enough points to lift the trophy after 10 years.

"It is a very interesting match," Ha Noi T&T's coach, Phan Thanh Hung, said.

"We have the strongest line-up for the match and are ready to face SLNA. We will leave Vinh Stadium with at least one point to enjoy a joyful Tet holiday," Hung said.

Hai Phong, who have had a stuttering start, will have a good chance to bag their first win as they face Dong Thap.

The Mekong Delta-based team significantly lost its strength after the departure of goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong, striker Samson Kayode and coach Pham Cong Loc, key factors in the club's success in recent years.

Navibank Sai Gon are favourites over Ninh Binh, who has won just one point, and are in the bottom area

vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn