Vietnam Fans Association plans to 'fuel' U22 Vietnam in the opening match of SEA Games 32

April 30, TeamU22 Vietnamwill compete in the 32nd SEA Games against the Laos team. Vietnamese people living and working in Cambodia have planned to organize a cheer for coach Philippe Troussier and his team.

Mr. Le Manh Hung, representative of the Vietnamese Association in Cambodia, said: "When the news of the 32nd SEA Games being held in Cambodia came out, the Vietnamese people here were very excited. Over the past few days, the Association has also proactively made plans to cheer for the Vietnamese Sports Delegation, especially cheering for the U22 Vietnam Team and the Vietnamese Women's Team."

Mr. Le Manh Hung (middle) represents the Vietnamese Association in Cambodia. Photo: Hai Hoang

Mr. Hung added: Although I have been away from home for 10 years, I, like the people here, always look back to my homeland. Every time the Vietnamese teams come to compete, we always organize to go to the field to cheer and give strength to the players. The cheering equipment is also prepared by the people, such as the national flag, red shirts with yellow stars, banners with slogans... In addition, we have also contacted the Vietnam Supporters Association (VFS North) to plan to combine cheering in the most professional and methodical way. It is expected that about 400 fans will be present at Hoa Sen restaurant on the afternoon of April 30 (a place where people often gather to watch and cheer when the Vietnamese teams compete) and then move to Prince Stadium (the competition venue of U22 Vietnam) to cheer for coach Philippe Troussier and his team.

Vietnamese people in Cambodia prepare national flags and red shirts with yellow stars to cheer for U22 Vietnam. Photo: Hai Hoang

Along with that, the Vietnamese Sports Delegation will also be fueled by fans who are coming from Vietnam to watch live.

Mr. Phan Dinh Long - Chairman of the VFS Northern Supporters Association said: The Vietnam Supporters Association (VFS Northern) has planned and coordinated with the Vietnamese people living and working in Cambodia. The Association also sent flags, drums, flags and banners in advance so that the people there can cheer for the match between U22 Vietnam and U22 Laos. With the spirit of "Give your all, we are always with you". Hopefully, that will be a great motivation to give more strength to the Vietnamese athletes.

There are only 2 days left until U22 Vietnam will play their opening match, however the biggest difficulty for Vietnamese fans right now is that they have not yet received tickets from the organizing committee. There has been no announcement about this on the official information pages of SEA Games 32.

Mr. Hung added: "We have contacted the Vietnamese embassy in Cambodia for support, and also asked the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phnom Penh, but the change from selling tickets to free tickets has caused a delay from the organizing committee. If after the group stage we meet the home team, the ticket issue will be even more difficult, because the Cambodian people have high expectations for the home team. It is only a group stage match, but for matches with Cambodia, the tickets have been sold out."

Currently, Vietnamese fans do not have tickets to enter the stadium to cheer on U22 Vietnam at SEA Games 32. Photo: Hai Hoang

Previously, on the morning of April 22, the Cambodian Football Federation (FFC) distributed tickets for the Indonesia - Philippines and Cambodia - Timor Leste matches. This is the opening match of the host team at the 32nd SEA Games, so it is not surprising that thousands of people lined up from early morning to get free tickets.

A representative of the Vietnam Olympic Committee currently in Cambodia also added: "In recent meetings, we have continuously asked the host about the plan to distribute invitation tickets, especially football tickets for Vietnam, but so far the organizing committee has not announced anything. Not only Vietnam, many countries in the region are also very impatient because tickets for fans to watch are still not available."

Meanwhile, a representative of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) said that they have not yet received any specific information about football tickets for Vietnamese fans at the 32nd SEA Games from the Cambodian Football Federation./.