AFF field regulations
On December 2, the Hanoi People's Committee sent a document to the city's departments, police and Nam Tu Liem District People's Committee regarding the organization of the music event "Anh trai say hi" at My Dinh National Stadium. In the document, the Hanoi People's Committee agreed to organize the music event "Anh trai say hi" Hanoi - concert 3 and concert 4 at My Dinh Stadium according to the proposal of the Department of Culture and Sports. Accordingly, the 2 shows will be held on December 7 and December 9, 2024.
Regarding the Vietnam National Team, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) decided to rent Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho) to serve 2 home matches in the group stage of the AFF Cup (new name is ASEAN Cup) 2024. This stadium will host opponents Indonesia (December 15) and Myanmar (December 21).
The VFF’s selection is based on the tournament’s organizing committee’s regulations. Accordingly, 3 weeks before the match, the stadiums registered by national teams will not be allowed to host events other than football. This is to ensure the quality of the grass and pitch, meeting the competition standards of the Southeast Asian Championship.
Also according to this criterion, VFF is leaving open the possibility of renting My Dinh Stadium, if coach Kim Sang-sik and his team win the right to enter the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2024. Because according to the tournament schedule, regardless of whether they finish first or second in Group B, a semi-final match of the Vietnam team at home will take place before December 30.
If they finish first in Group B, the Vietnamese team will play the second leg of the semi-finals at home on December 29. Conversely, if they finish second in Group B, Tien Linh and his teammates will play the first leg of the semi-finals earlier, on December 27.
In theory, according to the 3-week regulation from the tournament organizers, after the "Anh trai say hi" performance on December 9, the Vietnam team will have to wait until December 30 to be able to use My Dinh as their home field in the knockout matches.
VFF is not in a hurry
Of course, in reality, the Southeast Asian Football Federation can be flexible, creating conditions for the Vietnam team to use My Dinh Stadium in the semi-finals, especially when the match is scheduled to take place 3 weeks after the concert "Anh trai say hi". However, it should be emphasized that this only happens when the quality of My Dinh Stadium is guaranteed: Green grass, not wilted or withered; the field surface is soft, smooth, not bumpy or concave.
Therefore, after the concert ends on December 9, VFF will send a team of experts to assess and carefully inspect the grass surface of My Dinh Stadium. Based on the assessment and forecast of whether the grass will recover before the end of December; what is the plan for taking care of the field or preparing other facilities?... VFF will then make a decision on renting My Dinh Stadium or choosing another location. This decision may be made on December 10 or 1-2 days later.
Up to now, VFF is in no hurry to rent My Dinh Stadium for the semi-finals. VFF is also preparing different options to flexibly apply, suitable to the actual conditions of the Vietnam Team throughout the upcoming AFF Cup journey.
Over the past year, the Vietnam team has played international friendlies at many different stadiums. Besides the “holy land” My Dinh, the “Golden Star Warriors” have competed with opponents at Thien Truong Stadium (Nam Dinh) or Lach Tray Stadium (Hai Phong).
In the group stage of the AFF Cup 2024, the Vietnam team will compete at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho) - the place that was the successful start to winning the SEA Games 31 Gold Medal for Vietnamese football.
