The AFC U23 Championship semi-final match between Vietnam and China will not officially start until 10:30 PM, but from just past 8:00 PM, the atmosphere at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street was already lively. According to reporters' records, right from dusk, the roads leading to the center of Ho Chi Minh City such as Le Loi, Dong Khoi, Ton Duc Thang began to be crowded with vehicles. Crowds of people wearing red flags with yellow stars, holding banners and trumpets excitedly flocked to Nguyen Hue pedestrian street.
The heat of the AFC U23 Championship semi-final is undeniable. To serve the cheering needs of the people, this morning, Ho Chi Minh City urgently installed large LED screens along the street. This careful preparation has made fans feel secure to take to the streets, turning this place into a miniature stadium.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hung (resident of Hoa Hung ward) shared while sitting with his wife and two young children on a tarpaulin spread right in the center: "I know it's a late football match, but my whole family came here from 7 am. Being late, I stand far away and can't see the screen. And coming here early to enjoy the atmosphere, as happy as Tet, I feel tired and happy.
Not only families, many groups of young people also took the opportunity to have a light dinner with bread and fast food right on the spot, while warming up the atmosphere with cheers "Vietnam champion".
Friend Minh Thu (resident of Trung My Tay ward) excitedly said: "My group ran out here right after school. Today's match against China is an extremely important match, we want to sit right next to the screen to cheer. The feeling of watching at home is no better than coming out here to join thousands of people".
Although the opponent U23 China is considered very strong, in the eyes of the fans present here, the belief for the "golden warriors" is absolute. All eyes are on the LED screen, counting down each minute to the time the ball rolls, ready for a sleepless night to fuel U23 Vietnam to write a new page in history.
