Group E hosts Dong Nai hammers Can Tho 6-0 at Dong Nai Stadium

Khanh Hoa and Dong Nai, the hosts of groups D and E, cruised past rivals in the first round of the Thanh Nien-sponsored U21 Football Tournament qualifier Wednesday.

Footballers of the south central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, with eight players competing in the V-League this year, proved superior to their provincial neighbors.

Khanh Hoa scored four goals in the first half and two goals halfway through the second half before Phu Yen managed to score a consolation goal in the final minutes.

Ho Chi Minh City’s neighbors Dong Nai, having nine players who played in the First Division this year, were too strong for the visitors from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

With Duc Nhan, former member of the U20 national team that won the U20 Southeast Asian cup in 2007, in the midfield, Dong Nai dominated the match and didn’t give Can Tho any opportunity.

In the other Group E match, Ho Chi Minh City and Vinh Long fought to a scoreless draw while in Group D, Tay Ninh earned a 4-2 win over Sach Nguyen Van Cu Binh Thuan (Binh Thuan’s Nguyen Van Cu Bookstore).

The play will continue tomorrow with Khanh Hoa taking on Tay Ninh and Phu Yen clashing with Sach Nguyen Van Cu Binh Thuan in Group D; and in Group E, Dong Nai will play Dong Tam Long An and Vinh Long will encounter Can Tho.

Group F will also kick off Friday in Tien Giang, with the hosts taking on Dong Thap and Ca Mau facing Kien Giang.

Reported by Quang Huy - Van Phong