National women's football coach informs VFF of decision to leave

Viet Nam national women's football team coach Chen Yun Fat finished his tenure at the end of February.

The Chinese coach's contract with the Viet Nam Football Federation expired in February after two years working in the country. Chen was highly appreciated for his efforts, with the Viet Nam women's team grabbing a SEA Games gold medal in 2009 and a silver in 2007, as well as a silver at the Southeast Asian championship.

He announced his decision by letter to the VFF following his holiday, despite the federation's willingness to offer Chen a new contract.

VFF has asked Chen to find a suitable replacement.

The national team will be trained by coaching assistants Vu Ba Dong, Kim Hong and Thuy Nga at the Asian Cup on May 19-30 in China.

Viet Nam wins three golds at world Muay Thai champs

Vietnamese martial artists won three gold medals and a bronze at the World Muay Thai Championships, which wrapped yesterday in the Thailand National Gymnasium in Bangkok.

Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat and Le Huu Phuc added two more gold medals on the final day of competition after athlete Phan Thi Ngoc Linh won the first gold medal on Thursday in the women's 57kg category.

In the men's 51kg class, Le Huu Phuc beat Ubayduiio Karimov of Uzbekistan in a hard-fought final. Phuc led 8-0 in the first bout, 12-4 in the second bout and 14-8 in the third.

Phuc prevented a comeback in the fourth and decisive bout with a 17-13 win for Viet Nam's second gold medal.

In the men's 60kg final, Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat fought back to beat Thai Sanmong Kotchsopa by a narrow margin. After being led 1-3 in the first bout, Nhat came back strongly in the three remaining bouts to finish the match 10-9 and bring home the third gold medal.

The Viet Nam team's bronze medal went to Nguyen Phu Long in the men's 54kg category.

It was a successful first appearance at a World Muay Thai Championships for the Vietnamese team with four of five members winning medals. Vo Van Dai failed to win a medal when he lost to a Thai fighter in the quarter-finals. — VNS