Football

Organisers conduct a draw for the V.League 2 on March 7 after Sài Gòn FC withdrew. Photo of VPF

HÀ NỘI — The V.League 2 tournament has been reorganised to play in a two-leg format after Sài Gòn FC pulled out at the last minute.

The club sent their request to the Việt Nam Professional Football Company (VPF) early this week, pointing out several reasons that prevent them from taking part in all domestic competitions. Among them are their lack of at least 11 players and the slow process of going from being Sài Gòn to becoming Lâm Đồng FC that could not take place 60 days before the opening date of the tournament.

Sài Gòn is the second club to pull out after Cần Thơ, which do not have enough cash to cover expenses when its main sponsor terminated its contract without a reason.

VPF on March 7 had to re-draw the competition schedule after Sài Gòn's withdraw.

Accordingly, 10 teams will compete in the two-leg round robin event, also known as the Gold Star V.League 2. The first matches are planned for April 6 while the last will take place in August.

The V.League 2 champion will double its take to VNĐ2 billion (US$84,600). The first and second runners-up will pocket VNĐ1 billion and VNĐ500 million, respectively.

To increase the quality of matches, teams are allowed to register a naturalised player and an overseas Vietnamese.

The National Cup, however, will maintain its schedule without Sài Gòn.

The tournament will see the participation of 24 clubs, 14 from the V.League 1 and 10 from V.League 2, competing in a knock-out format.

The winner will receive VNĐ2 billion, double the bonus of last year. The second place and two third place teams will walk away with VNĐ1 billion and VNĐ400 million, respectively.

The Cup's first round will be held on April 1 with 12 matches. VNS