Futsal

Thái Sơn Nam FC will face powerful rivals at the International Futsal HCM City Open which will be organised on December 23-29. Photo of Thái Sơn Nam FC

HÀ NỘI — The International Futsal HCM City Open will be held between December 23 and 29 with the champions walking away with US$5,000.

The tournament, known as the LS Cup, has been held since 2006.

The annual event is considered a wrapping-up competition of the year where teams can review their activities and prepare for the new season, meanwhile players could sharpen their skills against international competition.

In its 15th edition, the top five teams from the domestic league will compete against two clubs from Thailand and one from Malaysia at the Lãnh Binh Thăng Gymnasium.

After a recent draw, defending champions Thái Sơn Nam, also the national winners, will play Blackpearl Utd (Thailand), Selangor Mac (Malaysia) and Khánh Hòa in Group B.

Group A gathers Sahako FC, Cao Bằng, Thái Sơn Bắc and Thammasat Statilion (Thailand).

Although teams can register up to 20 players, only 14 players can be used during matches with maximum two foreign players can compete at the same time.

Among the locals club taking part, only Thái Sơn Nam have registered a foreigner, Brazilian Goncalves Da Silva Lucas Gabriel who scored in the team's 5-0 win over Cao Bằng in the 2023 Futsal Cup final last month. It was also a debut match of the 20-year-old with the team.

Thammasat Statilion planned to bring Thiago Gouvea and Fabricio De Ramos to HCM City. Gouvea won three big titles when he was playing in Brazil before coming to Thailand while Carneiro is in top two scorers and leader in the list of assists at the Thai league.

Blackpearl Utd, Thai bronze medallists, have their Brazilian Lucas Boeira who already won the Copa America.

Selangor Mac side would take their duo Matheus Silva (Brazil) and Ali Ebrahimi (Iran) after they won third place at their domestic tournament this year.

In addition to the big bonus for the winners, two runners-up also pocket $3,000 and $1,000, respectively.

The team with fair-play style will take $500 while prizes for best individual players also available. VNS