Vietnam

Bribery and match-fixing hamper the development of soccer in Southeast Asia, and a farcical game in the recent Tiger Cup championship has further tarnished the sport's image, coaches and officials said.

Thailand and Indonesia were banned from international soccer by Asia's governing body on Friday following their farcical match in last month's Tiger Cup.

Former Thai soccer coach Withaya Laohakul said he hoped a decision by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to ban the country from international competition would only be a temporary punishment.

The Southeast Asian Games, currently being hosted by Malaysia, is set to take place less frequently as organisers try and recapture its attraction to both the public and sponsors.

Vietnam has signed a contract with a Chinese consortium to build a $52.9 million (B

A Chinese-led consortium has won the contract to build a new stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, as the venue for the 2003 Southeast Asia Games.

Millions of soccer crazy Vietnamese missed the start of the English Premier League season at the weekend after Vietnam Television (VTV) failed to reach an agreement with the company holding distribution rights for Asia.

Millions of soccer crazy Vietnamese missed the start of the English Premier League season at the weekend after Vietnam Television (VTV) failed to reach an agreement with the company holding distribution rights for Asia.