U23 Vietnam players banned from meeting strangers, match-fixing room

After the head of the Timor Leste football delegation was arrested on suspicion of match-fixing at the 28th SEA Games, security work related to the Vietnam U23 team has been tightened.

“Singapore is a gambling hotspot, so we have to be on high alert. Currently, all players are required not to meet strangers or receive guests in their private rooms. If they want to meet anyone, Coach Miura’s players must meet in the hotel lobby, where there are always many security personnel,” Duong Vu Lam, head of the Vietnamese football delegation at the 28th SEA Games, told VnExpress this afternoon, May 31.

U23 Vietnam imposes martial law to avoid match-fixing. Photo: Lam Thoa

Recently, the 28th SEA Games was shaken when the Singapore Anti-Corruption Bureau uncovered a match-fixing ring in the match between U23 Malaysia and U23 Timor Leste. The four suspects arrested were: Rajendran Kurusamy, a Singaporean betting tycoon; Nasiruddin, an Indonesian; Orlando Marques Henriques Mendes, head of the Timor Leste football team; and Moises Natalino de Jesus, a former Timor Leste national team player.

“The incident of U23 Timor Leste did not affect the mentality of U23 Vietnam players much. However, we still have to tighten security and be vigilant,” Mr. Duong Vu Lam added.

At the 28th SEA Games, U23 Vietnam was closely followed by security officer Nguyen Hong Quan. In addition, the Singapore Anti-Corruption Bureau also assigned people to closely monitor the teams participating in the Games.

In the opening match on May 29, U23 Vietnam won 6-0 against U23 Brunei. On June 2, the team played the second match against U23 Malaysia, a direct opponent in the race for a ticket to the semi-finals. Yesterday afternoon, February 31, Coach Miura, along with assistants Cong Minh, Quoc Tuan, Thanh Son and Head of Delegation Duong Vu Lam, came to observe the match between U23 Malaysia and U23 Timor Leste to "check out" the opponent.

“U23 Malaysia did not play convincingly in the match against U23 Timor Leste, only winning 1-0. However, we cannot underestimate them because of that. In that match, coach Ong Kim Swee seemed to have hidden many strategic cards,” said Mr. Duong Vu Lam.

According to VNE