Sài Gòn FC will work with Tokyo FC. — Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI — V.League 1 side Sài Gòn FC have signed a deal to work with Tokyo FC of J.League to set up a football academy in Việt Nam.

The project between two sides will focus on youth football training under Japanese standards.

Japanese experts will come and give lectures to young Vietnamese players and their coaches.

The two sides will also send their squads to compete in friendly matches in the near future.

FC Tokyo President Naoki Okane said he hoped the co-operation would benefit both clubs.

Sài Gòn are also looking for a new home so they can stop sharing Thống Nhất Stadium with HCM City FC.

According to Sài Gòn President Vũ Tiến Thành, the new venue must be large enough for up to six standard pitches with advanced training equipment and convenient facilities to serve the club’s and the academy’s demands.

Following that, community football courses for kids from 8-12 will be open around the city’s districts and schools, which are the key source of players for the team.

“We hope to see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, then we can carry out our plans. We want to build a long-term strategy for the team following a synchronised and professional routine,” said Thành.

“The J.League is one of the most developed football industries in Asia. I believe that if we can apply all of their experience we can go far.”

Established in 1935, Tokyo FC were one of first football clubs in Japan. They finished second last season and are a Japanese representative at the AFC Champions League 2020.

Sài Gòn were born as Hà Nội in 2011. They moved to HCM City in 2016 and were renamed as Sài Gòn FC.

They finished fifth last year and are currently second this season after two matches. — VNS