World Cup qualifiers: Vietnam vs Australia to be held behind closed doors
VOV.VN - The Vietnam vs Australia match in the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is likely to take place at My Dinh national stadium in Hanoi without fans due to COVID-19 fears.
Tran Quoc Tuan, vice president of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), said the organisers are waiting for the authorities of Hanoi to decide whether to hold the match with supporters or not.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has resurged and spread to many districts in the capital. The Hanoi administration has extended its ongoing social distancing order till August 23 in an effort to keep the fresh outbreak in check.
Tuan said the VFF will inform the media and fans once both sides reach a final decision.
Coach Park Hang-seo’s men will begin their final round of World Cup qualification games with an away match against Saudi Arabia on September 2, followed by a home match against Australia in Hanoi on September 7.
The fixture against Australia was initially planned to be played in front of 40% of the total capacity of the stadium. All fans attending the game must be vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus or record a negative PCR test for COVID-19 beforehand.
However, the resurgence of the virus means the match is likely to be held behind closed doors.
Preparations for the game are already underway at the stadium, with the installation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology ahead of the match, said Le Hoai Anh, general secretary of the VFF.
