Saigon FC have become the first football team in the world to again accession to an association of Japanese companies abroad.

The V-League 1 club officially joined the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ho Chi Minh City (JCCH) on Wednesday, according to the chamber.

They want football to be a link between Vietnamese and Japanese firms, explained Tran Hoa Binh, chairman of the club.

“The presence of the brand name Saigon FC in Japan will tremendously benefit our Vietnamese sponsors,” Binh said.

“I expect football to become a bridge between Vietnamese and Japanese companies.”

The JCCH said that Saigon FC are the first foreign football team in the world to join an overseas network of Japanese companies.

The club have followed in the footsteps of the Japan Professional Football League when it comes to their long-term development.

Saigon FC sent their midfielder Cao Van Trien and V-League 1 side Viettel FC's forward Tran Danh Trung to J2 League club FC Ryukyu in February.

The Vietnamese club have said they will announce another partnership with a J3 League side in the coming time.

FC Tokyo, who play in the J1 League, are helping Saigon FC with overall club management while providing consulting in establishing a football academy.

Saigon FC currently rank fourth in the 14-team V-League 1 table, earning six points from three games.

The 2021 V-League 1 season is poised to resume on Saturday after a two-month hiatus over the COVID-19 pandemic.

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