Viet Nam U-23s set sights on LG Cup

Viet Nam”s national U-23 football team will compete with the Bulgarian national U-23, the Syrian national U-21 and the Republic of Korea”s student select team in the 6th HCM City LG Cup, which will kick off at HCM City”s Thong Nhat Stadium on September 20.

Teams will compete in one round robin. The highest scoring team after three matches will receive US$40,000. The runner-up and third-place teams will get $20,000 and $10,000, respectively.

The prize money is double that of last year”s tournament, though the number of participants has reduced from six to four.

Viet Nam”s host team is believed to be the weakest in the tournament as players regrouped just a little while ago, and the team fields several injuries.

“The tournament is a good chance for us to consider our ability before the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games in the Philippines later this year,” said Austrian Alfred Riedl, head coach of Viet Nam”s U-23 team.

The Koreans are looking to hold on to their championship, after beating Viet Nam”s national team in last year”s final.

Bulgarian players are carefully selected and well-trained, and Syria reached the semi-final match of last year”s World U-20 Championships. (VNS)