Doan Ngoc Hao (13) . — Photo vov

HA NOI (VNS) — Doan Ngoc Hao of Viet Nam and Avchiev Takhir of Kyrgyzstan have been banned from play for two years for doping offences, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced.

Hao, a midfielder, tested positive for levo-methamphetamine following Viet Nam's match against Iraq on April 30 at the AFC Futsal Championship in HCM City. He has been suspended from all local and international tournaments until May 25, 2016.

This marks the first futsal doping case in Viet Nam.

The AFC announced in June about Hao's first positive drug test.

Hao sent an explanation to the AFC and confirmed his innocence, though the AFC refused to reverse his ban.

Meanwhile, defender Avchiev failed the doping control test, following Kyrgyzstan's match against Palestine on May 19 during the AFC Challenge Cup, the AFC said on Saturday.

Avchiev tested positive for the banned drug Norandrosterone and is forbidden from taking part in any football-related activities until June 6, 2016, the AFC said.

The AFC said both players had the right to appeal their suspensions. — VNS