On March 17, Vietnamese-American striker Lee Nguyen signed an eighteen month contract to play for the Binh Duong football club.

Lee Nguyen (red).

Nguyen will receive $10,000 per month, the same salary he was paid last year by Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL). The Viet-kieu star left HAGL at the end of the season claiming he could not get along with its coach.

Though Binh Duong defeated Victory Club (Maldives) on March 16 in an AFC Cup qualifying round match, overall the performance of the V-League’s second place team last year has been disappointing.

Experts say one of its problems is a ‘crisis of midfielders.’ Captian Tran Truong Giang has passed his prime while Huu Thang and Cong Minh cannot play well because of injuries. Vu Phong and Philani played not very well. Lee Nguyen is considered an essential reinforcement to the team at this moment.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai suddenly announced to put an end to its 3-year contract with Lee Nguyen. The club’s manager Nguyen Tan Anh explained that the Vietnamese American striker didn’t cooperate with the coach and therefore the club had decided to break the contract.

Previously, Lee Nguyen left the team for over three months to go to the US without permission, but Hoang Anh Gia Lai forgave him.

Lee Nguyen, 24, joined Hoang Anh Gia Lai in January 2009 with a 3-year contract, earning around $10,000/month, the highest among V-League stars. After signing, Lee Nguyen received a Vietnamese name – Nguyen The Anh.

In the first season with Hoang Anh Gia Lai, he scored 12 goals, including nine at the V-League and three at the National Cup.

PV