Chonburi FC will play Becamex Binh Duong in the opening game at 16.00 on December 2, and Navibank Saigon will take on Geylang United FC three hours later. These matches will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television and HCM City Television.

Chonburi, ranking third on the Thai League, are considered the strongest rivals. With five national players in the line-up, coach Jadet Meelarp does not harbor the ambition to win the cup.    

Geylang United, placed fifth at the S-League, are also tough rivals to any participating clubs. Despite their arrival in HCM City on December 1, they had warm-up exercises at Thong Nhat Stadium at 15:00 to prepare for their opening game against hosts Navibank Saigon one day later.

Navibank Saigon are capturing media and public attention following their recent shake-ups. Experts say the Navibank Cup will be a test for newly-appointed coach Pham Cong Loc.   

Meanwhile, Hanoi T&T and Becamex Binh Duong say they will send their best players to the tournament to improve their skills before the 2011-2012 V-League starts.

Republic of Korean man Jong Hyeok who refereed three out of six matches of the Vietnamese U23 squad at the recent Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia, has been invited to judge Navibank Cup matches.

The tournament, which has been recognised by the Asian Football Federation, will last through December 10.