The first pictures of Man City in Vietnam

29 players of European giant Manchester City arrived in Vietnam on July 26 afternoon for the game against the U23 Vietnam team on Monday, July 27.

Among 29 playes there are no big names, such as Sergio Aguero and captain Vincent Kompany.

The Argentian Aguero is taking a rest after participating at the recent Copa America while Kompany is said to stay at home to take care of his wife who will be giving birth in the next few days.

Apart from them, all other key members – Joe Hart, David Silva, Samir Nasri, and especially the club’s record-tranferred Raheem Sterling – will attend the friendly match which will be organised on Monday in Hanoi.

Big day on July 27

In their three-day visit, July 25-27, they will take part in several community activities before competing against the national team at the My Dinh Stadium.

Vietnam’s Toshiya Miura on Thursday also announced his list of 22 players to take part in the most wanted match against Manchester City.

The Japanese coach called two goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six strikers who will start training today.

A press briefing of the friendly will be organised on Sunday. The match will be live aired on VTV6 channel.

Vietnam’s match against Manchester City will give a boost to local football players and the game in the country, top Vietnamese striker Le Cong Vinh has said.

The three-time Golden Ball winner said the match would act like a shot of vitamin for football in Vietnam and for the local players.

“We should give a big thanks to the organisers and sponsors who are bringing the great City players to Vietnam,” Vinh said.

“When we play against them we will know where we stand and how much we need to strive to become better. It will be more meaningful for young footballers as it will be a good opportunity for them to learn from the world-class rivals,” he said.

“Moreover, this kind of a match will attract the attention of people, especially the investors and businessmen, who will then help develop football. It will be really important for the sport,” he said. Vinh is one of the most experienced players in the national team. He has played against FC Porto in 2004, Barca B in 2005, Olympic Brazil in 2008, and Olympiakos in 2009. He played against Arsenal in 2013 and has spent several months competing in Portugal and Japan.

The organisers yesterday announced that Vietnamese players who score a goal during the match will receive a large bonus. The best players from the two sides will also earn bonuses.

The value of the bonuses has not been revealed, but Do Quang Hien, Chairman of the Sai Gon-Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank, who invited Manchester City here, said the bonuses were only meant to encourage the players to try their Best, as the Vietnam team and Manchester City play at entirely different levels.

Two years ago, midfielder Tran Manh Dung received a bonus after he scored a goal in Vietnam’s 7-1 loss to Arsenal at the My Dinh Stadium.