Coach Park adds 3 players to U23 Vietnam; Hoang Xuan Vinh will light up the SEA Games 31 flame

Coach Park Hang-seo adds 3 players to U23 Vietnam

Due to an unfortunate injury while playing in the National Cup, striker Vo Nguyen Hoang (Pho Hien Club) missed this training session. Replacing this position,Coach Park Hang-seocalled up striker Le Xuan Tu (Hanoi Club). Previously, midfielder Tran Bao Toan (HAGL) was also called up to replace injured Hoang Xuan Tan (Nam Dinh).

Along with that, to have more backup plans for the defense, Mr. Park decided to call up additional defenders Dang Van Toi (Hanoi) and Luong Duy Cuong (Da Nang).

U23 Vietnam currently has 32 players for the SEA Games 31 campaign.

Thus, compared to the initial list of 30 players, U23 Vietnam eliminated 2 injured players and added 4 other players, bringing the number to 32 people.

Coach Park Hang-seo and his team will have two friendly matches with U20 Korea (at Viet Tri Stadium on April 19 and at Hang Day Stadium on April 22), before entering the campaign to defend the SEA Games 31 men's football gold medal at home.

Hoang Xuan Vinh will light the SEA Games 31 cauldron

Former shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh will be the one to light the torch at the opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games at My Dinh Stadium on May 12.

The opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games is scheduled to take place from 7pm to 10pm on May 12 at My Dinh Stadium (Hanoi). The organizing committee plans to invite 10 prominent figures of Vietnamese sports to participate in the torch relay at the opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games.

The list of 10 torchbearers includes: Hoang Xuan Vinh (Shooting, Gold, Silver medal at Rio Olympics 2016), Tran Hieu Ngan (Taekwondo, Silver medal at Sydney Olympics 2000), Hoang Anh Tuan (Weightlifting, Silver medal at Beijing Olympics 2008), Nguyen Thuy Hien (Wushu, World and Asian champion, SEA Games gold medal), Nguyen Thi Anh Vien (Swimming, SEA Games gold medal), Bui Thi Thu Thao (Long jump, ASIA 2018 gold medal), Le Tu Chinh (Athletics, SEA Games gold medal), Quach Thi Lan (Athletics, Asiad 2018 gold medal), Le Thanh Tung (Gymnastics, SEA Games gold medal), Tran Le Quoc Toan (Weightlifting, London Olympics 2012 bronze medal).

Among the 10 characters mentioned above, Hoang Xuan Vinh was chosen to be the one to light the torch.SEA Games 31Currently, the hero who brought home the first Olympic gold medal in the history of Vietnamese sports has retired from competition and switched to coaching.

Former shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh will be the one to light the SEA Games 31 cauldron. Photo: Getty

Fencer Vu Thanh An will be the flag bearer for the Vietnamese sports delegation at the opening ceremony. Swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang will take the oath on behalf of the athletes participating in the 31st SEA Games. Volleyball referee Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa will take the oath on behalf of the referees.

In addition, 12 outstanding faces of Vietnamese sports will hold the flag of the congress, including: Tran Hung Nguyen (Swimming), Do Thi Anh Nguyet (Archery), Dinh Phuong Thanh (Gymnastics), Nguyen Thuy Linh (Badminton), Ly Hoang Nam (Tennis), Luong Thi Thao - Dinh Thi Hao (Boat racing), Hoang Thi Duyen (Weightlifting), Truong Thi Kim Tuyen (Taekwondo), Duong Thuy Vi (Wushu), Nguyen Thi Tam (Boxing), Tran Dinh Nam (Pencak Silat).

According to the plan, the 31st SEA Games will take place from May 12 to May 23 (soccer will start on May 6). The venues for the Games include Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh, Hai Phong, Phu Tho, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh and Vinh Phuc. It is expected that about 10,000 athletes will compete in 40 events with 526 events.

U23 Thailand summoned 50 players to prepare for SEA Games 31

Coach Alexandre Polking will have to eliminate up to 30 players to finalize the list of Thailand U23 for men's football at the 31st SEA Games.

On the evening of April 13, Thai media announced a list of 50 players called up to the U23 team to prepare for the 31st SEA Games. Of these, 7 players are over 23 years old.

These players were personally selected by coach Worawut Srimaka. Mr. Srimaka is the head coach of U23 Thailand and will take charge at the 2022 U23 Asian Cup finals. However, at the 31st SEA Games, the leader of the "Little War Elephants" is coach Alexandre Polking.

This list of 50 players was submitted to the Thai Olympic Committee to register to compete in the 31st SEA Games. After the training period, Coach Polking will finalize the list of 20 players, including 3 people over 23 years old.

Coach Polking has not had much time to work with the Thai U23 players, so assistant Srimaka was the one to choose.

At this time, the list of U23 Thailand for SEA Games 31 cannot be changed. If a player is injured and needs to be replaced, the Thai Olympic Committee must submit a certificate from the medical agency.

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has adjusted the competition schedule in domestic tournaments so that coach Polking and his team can best prepare for the 31st SEA Games.

Ms. Nuanphan Lamsam - Head of the Thai Football Delegation shared: "I thank FAT and domestic clubs for understanding the problems of the U23 team. At this SEA Games, we cannot underestimate anyone. Every team is ready and sets the highest goals."

"In particular, the Vietnam Football Federation has postponed the V.League so that players have more time to concentrate. Some opinions say that we should send the U19 team to compete, but the opponents in the region all send their strongest squads. Therefore, we need to respect the tournament and bring the best quality players to the SEA Games. This is also a prestigious tournament in the region and fans are also very interested," Ms. Lamsam added.

At SEA Games 31, U23 Thailand is in Group B with Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore and Laos. Their goal is to win the Gold Medal.

Man City into Champions League semi-finals to meet Real Madrid

Early morning of April 14 (Hanoi time), Atletico Madrid's 0-0 draw at home was enough to put coach Pep Guardiola's team in the top 4 strongest teams in the European Cup this season.

Man City takes another step forward in its ambition to conquer the European throne. Photo: Reuters

Atletico Madrid gave Manchester City a tough time, especially in the second half of the quarter-final second leg. Diego Simeone's side forced their opponents to defend in a compact manner and had 12 shots. However, Pep Guardiola's defence held firm until the final seconds of stoppage time.

Man City won 1-0 after 2 matches to barely reach the Champions League semi-finals. Here, fans will witness the top competition between the 2 leading teams in La Liga and Premier League.

Thanh Hien