Police in Vietnam said they have found indications of bribery and match-fixing in Second Division football.

Following a probe into a match between Sara Thanh Vinh (SRTV) and Quang Ninh Coal (QNC) played on May 31 in Cam Pha stadium in the central Nghe An province, the local police have named six footballers they suspect.

The game assumed importance because the winner stood to gain promotion to the First Division. In the event QNC edged out SRTV 2-1.

The police said the affair started when Bui Ngoc Tu of QNC sought the help of Nguyen Quoc Tuan from the opposing team to throw the game and ensure a QNC win.

Tuan sent Tu a list of key SRTV players together with phone numbers so that Tu could negotiate directly.

Three days before the game Tu repeatedly contacted SRTV players Nguyen Dinh The, Tran Dinh Dong, Nguyen Manh Cuong, and captain Pham Dinh Duy.

Duy demanded VND200 million (US$12,500) for the act.

There is no confirmation if the money was indeed handed over or who took it, but videotapes of the game appear highly suspicious SRTV players seem to be tanking and intentionally committing fouls.

Following the loss SRTV officials had doubts and sought a police investigation.

The police have not spelled out what action they propose against the offending players.

Reported by Khanh Hoan Translated by Minh Phat