A Vietnamese journalist yesterday said that his country is "football crazy" and he was proven it right when about 40 Vietnamese carrying their flags and gongs turned out in the two game of their squad in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games football tournament at the Bacolod City Sports Complex.

Vietnam, which placed second when it hosted the 22nd SEA Games, has been impressive in its first two outings by nipping Singapore, 2-1, on Sunday before posting an 8-2 demolition of Laos on Tuesday.

Twenty of the Vietnamese football fanatics, who hail from Hai Phong City, Vietnam, are working in a cruise ship named Van Don 2, while the other 20 came from La Paz, Iloilo City. Nguyen Van Hien, captain of Van Don 2, said he decided to dock the ship at the Reclamation Area for the biennial meet because they want to cheer for the Vietnam contingent, not only in football but also in other events.

"I think we have a very strong football team and it is capable of reaching the finals," Van Hien said. Van Don 2 is also owned by a Vietnam-based organization, the Quang Ninh Shipping Company.

The crew came all the way from Malaysia, before proceeding to Papua New Guinea after the biennial meet, Van Hien said.

Nguyen Van Man, one of the crew, said they are expecting more Vietnamese to watch the football games, especially if Vietnam reaches the semifinal-round and championship match.

"The team is in very good quality and I can see from the players that they are really prepared for the Games," he said.

Son Nguyen, who has been residing in Iloilo for 10 years, said it was just a coincidence that other Vietnamese also visited Bacolod to witness its delegation compete.

Vietnam brought home the overall title when it hosted the Games. The squad for this year's biennial meet is one of the strongest teams I have ever seen, Nguyen said.

"Bacolod is really a beautiful city," he added.*CIT

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