V-League postponed indefinitely again

Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) announced the above content on July 8.

SLNA players practice, preparing for the relegation battle. Photo: Duc Anh

Faced with the unpredictable developments of the epidemic in many localities, including Ho Chi Minh City, which will begin implementing social distancing according to Directive 16 from 0:00 on July 9, to ensure the safety of all participants, the V.League organizing committee has decided to temporarily suspend the plan to continue organizing professional football tournaments in Vietnam including V.League, First Division and National Cup.

This decision was made after a meeting between VPF and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on July 7. "VPF will continue to closely monitor the developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, adjust plans and strategies to continue organizing tournaments appropriately and promptly inform clubs for coordination," VPF said.

Previously, an online conference between VPF and representatives of clubs participating in V.League reached an agreement on a plan to restart V.League 2021 from July 31. The matches in round 13 will be held in the old format (taking place at the same time at 7 stadiums).

The matches in phase 2 will be held centrally on 9 football fields in the Northern region including Hang Day, VFF, Thanh Tri, PVF, Viet Tri, Cam Pha, Thien Truong, Lach Tray, Thanh Hoa. The entire match will be held without spectators and strictly follow the requirements of epidemic prevention as directed.

V-League is scheduled to end on August 22, so that the Vietnamese team can gather and prepare for the first match of the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia against host Saudi Arabia on September 2. Due to the postponement of V-League, coach Park Hang-seo's plan may be affected.

PV