Cerezo Osaka renews contract with Van Lam; Van Toan and Hoang Duc infected with Covid-19

Cerezo Osaka extends contract with goalkeeper Van Lam

On the afternoon of November 1, the Cerezo Osaka Club's homepage officially announced contract extensions with a number of players.fanatic Dang Van Lamis one of two players on the announced list.

“We are pleased to inform you that we have extended the contracts of the following players until the end of the 2022 season,” the statement read.

In addition to goalkeeper Van Lam, Australian player Adam Taggart also had his contract extended by one more year by the team playing in J.league.

Dang Van Lam.

Van Lam joined Cerezo Osaka in early 2021 after a period of playing for Muangthong United of Thailand. However, the goalkeeper of the Vietnamese national team has not been tested much at the Japanese team.

Up to this point, Van Lam has only played 1 match in the AFC Champions League and 1 match in the Emperor's Cup in the Cerezo Osaka shirt.

Van Toan and Hoang Duc infected with Covid-19 before joining the Vietnam National Team

Two days before the Vietnam National Team officially returns to training to prepare for the remaining matches in the qualifying roundWorld Cup 2022In the Asian region against Australia and China (January 13), coach Park Hang-seo had to receive some bad news when striker Nguyen Van Toan and midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19.

Hoang Duc

After testing positive, both players from Hai Duong reported to the local authorities where they live and were quarantined for monitoring according to the procedure. According to the investigation, Hoang Duc tested negative 2 days ago. Meanwhile, Van Toan still tested positive but his health is still guaranteed.

It should also be added that after waiting for the camp to be released on January 3, the Vietnam National Team has completed the third Covid vaccine injection. Therefore, the recovery of Hoang Duc and Van Toan may be faster. However, these two players must follow strict procedures and be quarantined for at least 10 days.

Coutinho debuts at new club

Philippe Coutinho has signed for Aston Villa after passing a medical and being granted a work permit in the UK.

Early morning of January 12 (Hanoi time), Aston Villa's homepage confirmed that Coutinho became the club's new player. The Brazilian midfielder moved from Barca on a loan contract until the end of the season, with a buyout clause.

Some sources in England revealed that Aston Villa must spend more than 30 million pounds if they activate the clause to buy Coutinho.

Coutinho returns to the Premier League. Photo: Reuters

"I feel honored to be joining Aston Villa. This is a great club. I spoke to manager Steven Gerrard. Gerrard told me about Aston Villa and his ambitions here. I am happy to move here and want to enjoy my football," Coutinho said on the day of his new club's debut.

"I've known Gerrard for a long time. I played alongside him and learned a lot. I admire Gerrard and want to do my best here," Coutinho continued.

If China fails to beat Vietnam, will the coach be fired?

Chinese media worried about coach Li Xiaopeng's future ahead of match againstVietnam teamin the upcoming 3rd qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup at My Dinh Stadium.

The Chinese team's poor results in the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup along with off-field scandals forced coach Li Tie to resign.

In the context of Chinese football falling into crisis, coach Li Xiaopeng bravely accepted to sit in the hot seat to replace Mr. Li Tie. However, the pressure is weighing heavily on the shoulders of this 46-year-old military leader, according to analysis by Sohu newspaper.

China national team coach Li Xiaopeng.

"Coach Li Xiaopeng's courage is commendable when he agrees to take over the Chinese team. However, the demands placed on him will certainly not be lowered," Sohu wrote.

The Chinese team has 4 matches left in the 3rd qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup. According to Sohu, the Chinese team can lose, but cannot lose too badly. As for the Vietnamese team, a defeat is not allowed to happen.

With the current preparation of the Chinese team, the next 2 matches against Japan and Vietnam will have more difficulties than advantages. Commentator Zhan Jun realized the decline of the Chinese team and asked on social media: "Can we be satisfied if we only score 1 point in the 2 matches against Japan and Vietnam"?

1 point here means that the Chinese team lost to Japan and tied with Vietnam. However, if they only achieve that result, coach Li Xiaopeng will definitely be fired," Sohu warned coach Li Xiaopeng.