体坛英语新闻：Vietnam U21 Int'l Football Championship to start in November

HO CHI MINH CITY, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Reigning champion Hoang Anh Gia Lai Arsenal JMG may need its best players to defend its U21 International Football Championship title when the tournament kicks off in Ho Chi Minh City on November 20, local online newspaper Thanh Nien (Young People) reported Saturday.

The 9th annual event, organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper, has attracted several strong teams, including those from Malaysia, Myanmar and South Korea. More teams from Australia and Thailand are considering joining, organizers said.

"Myanmar will send the team that has competed at the recent U20 World Cup in New Zealand, with seven new players who won the silver medal at last month's 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore," said Tran Quoc Tuan, deputy chairman of Vietnam Football Federation.

"Meanwhile, South Korea may send the team that defeated Vietnam 6-0 at the U20 World Cup qualifying round. It will be a tough competition with many strong players," he said.

The championship will last from November 20-30. A domestic version of the tournament will be held in the city from October 20-30 to select two best local teams to play at the international event.