Southeast Asian Football Federation changes the name of AFF Cup; Cong Phuong advises Van Toan to stay in Korea
(Baonghean.vn) - The Southeast Asian Football Federation changed the name of the AFF Cup; Arab club is ready to spend big for the Red Devils star; Cong Phuong advises Van Toan to stay in Korea... are notable sports news in the past 24 hours.
Cong Phuong advises Van Toan to stay in Korea
Van Toan revealed Cong Phuong's advice before the striker from Hai Duong decided to return home.
"I received a lot of advice at that time. My parents wanted me to return home because they were very sad to see me playing away from home and getting injured and having no one to take care of me. However, my parents emphasized that the decision was up to me. As for Cong Phuong, with his experience, he told me to stay and choose another team," Van Toan shared.
The time playing at Seoul E-Land is always engraved in Van Toan's mind. After his contract with Hoang Anh Gia Lai ended at the end of 2022, the player from Hai Duong decided to go abroad and join a Korean team.
At first, Van Toan was arranged to play continuously. However, he gradually lost his position and was completely absent since June. In total, he only played 9 matches, of which 4 were starting matches at Seoul E-Land. The former Hoang Anh Gia Lai player did not score any goals in K-League 2.
Van Toan said he adapted well to the environment and teammates. However, continuous injuries caused him to lose the opportunity to prepare initially with the team.
Van Toan returned to Vietnam to play for Nam Dinh Club before the 2023/2024 V.League. Van Toan's continued regular play helped him be named in the November gathering. Meanwhile, Cong Phuong still plays for Yokohama FC but does not get to play. He was not called up to the Vietnam national team to prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Southeast Asian Football Federation changes the name of AFF Cup
The Southeast Asian Football Championship (AFF Cup) will have a new name from 2024. Specifically, the new name ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup will replace the old name AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
This is the fifth time the tournament has changed its name. Previously, it was Tiger Cup (1996 to 2004), AFF Championship (2007), AFF Suzuki Cup (2008 to 2020) and AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup (2022).
The ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 will take place from November 23 to December 21, 2024, in a home-away format. Thailand is the defending champion of the tournament and has won the most (7 times).
Singapore team ranked second with 4 times.Vietnam teamranked third with 2 times and the Malaysian team won the championship once.
Philippines coach determined to surprise Vietnam team
Mr. Michael Weiss affirmed his determination to create a surprise against the Vietnamese team.
"The match against Vietnam is important for us. We are lucky to play at home against Vietnam and Indonesia. The whole team feels comfortable and wants to take advantage of that. Against Southeast Asian teams, the Philippines team wants to create a surprise. I will not just talk but show on the field," said Head Coach Michael Weiss.
The Philippines team will host the Vietnam team in the first match of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. Coach Michael Weiss and his students are determined in this match despite being underestimated.
"The Vietnamese team is rated higher but they will have a lot of difficulties if they want to win. They will have to work very hard. That is what I require from the team and also what captain Neil Etheridge wants. Overall, the team has good technique but needs to be more determined and a little more aggressive. I am very excited about this match," said Mr. Michael Weiss.
The match between the Philippines and Vietnam will take place at 6:00 p.m. on November 16.
Arab club ready to spend big for Red Devils star
According to Fichajes, Saudi Arabian football teams are willing to spend big to own Bruno Fernandes from Man United.
Bruno Fernandes is considered one of the most successful signings since the Sir Alex Ferguson era. The Portuguese midfielder joined Man United in 2020 and quickly became an important factor for the Red Devils.
Even though Man Utd has gone through 3 coaches (Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag), Bruno Fernandes still maintains a starting position at MU.
This season, Bruno continued to show stable performance. He appeared 17 times in all competitions, contributing 4 goals and 3 assists.
There are now a number of suitors who want to lure Bruno away from Old Trafford. According to Fichajes, clubs in the Saudi Pro League are willing to pay close to €100m (£87m) to sign Bruno from Man Utd in 2024.
Napoli fires Ronaldo's former coach
On the Napoli team's homepage, President Aurelio De Laurentiis announced the dismissal of coach Rudi Garcia - Ronaldo's former coach of Al Nassr team.
In a statement on Napoli's website, it read: "The club has decided to dismiss coach Rudi Garcia from his role as head coach. We thank him and his staff for their cooperation with the team."
Rudi Garcia took over as coach at the start of the season, replacing Luciano Spalletti, who decided to terminate his contract with Napoli after a disagreement with President De Laurentiis. Spalletti then took over as head coach of the Italian national team from Roberto Mancini.
Rudi Garcia took over this season with many "doubts about his ability to succeed" at Napoli and indeed after only 10 rounds he was "fired".
Very quickly after firing Garcia, Napoli found a candidate to take over the position of interim coach until the end of the season, a "new but old" person, that is Walter Mazzarri. He led Napoli from October 2009 to May 2013 and won a Supercoppa Italiana title in the 2011/2012 season. The Italian coach had 89 wins, 49 draws and 44 losses.