Tien Minh confronts tough competition at Japan Open

Top Vietnamese badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh will take on Indonesian opponent, Sony Dwi Kuncoro in his first match of the Japan Open on June 10, and a victory is likely to earn him a berth to the quarter finals.

In their past four encounters Minh won twice and lost twice, making it a level playing field on the day.

In the tournament, Minh, seeded No. 7, will play against defending champions Lee Chong Wei in a much awaited match.

The annual Japan Open is part of the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) Super Series. The five-day tournament has total prize money of US$250,000.

Currently Minh ranks 10th in the latest BWF standings.

Shooters to compete in World Cup

The national shooting team will take part in the International Shooting Sport Federation's World Cup in Munich in Germany.

The six-member team will compete in the rifle events from June 8 to 12.

They will leave for Germany on June 5.

Namadvances to Astrid Bowl Charleroi's third round

Vietnamese player Ly Hoang Nam yesterday entered the third round of the 50th Astrid Bowl Charleroi, Belgian International Junior Championships.

The 17-year-old defeated world No 16 Boris Pokotilov of Russia 6-3, 7-5 in the second round.

Unseeded Nam will next face No 2 seed Lee Duch-hee of South Korea who beat Belgian Jake Delaney 6-2, 6-3.

Lee is world No 9 in the junior rankings, while Nam is No 64.

Earlier, Nam and Makoto Ochi of Japan lost 5-7, 5-7 to Kang Ku-keon of South Korea and Igor Ribeiro Macondes of Brazil in the boys' doubles.