Coach Park Hang-seo and his team are in Singapore, ready to defend the AFF Cup title.

After more than 1 hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City, teacher and studentsCoach Park Hang-seolanded at Changi International Airport (Singapore) at 3:30 p.m. on December 1. Quang Hai and his teammates were in a very relaxed mood as they officially entered the campaign to defend the AFF Cup championship.

The Vietnamese team brought a lot of luggage from Vietnam to Singapore. Photo: Hai Hoang

Before entering the country, all members of the Vietnamese team were tested for Covid-19. Host Singapore applied very strict regulations to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic at this AFF Cup.

Vietnam team arrives at Changi International Airport. Photo: Hai Hoang

That is also the reason why midfielder Do Hung Dung cannot join the Vietnam team to Singapore due to immigration regulations. After completing the procedures, the Hanoi FC player will join the team, expected to be in the next few days.

In Singapore, coach Park Hang-seo and his team stayed at the Grand Mercury Roxi Hotel, about 20 minutes by car from the training ground and competition field.

The car of Park Hang-seo and his team traveling in Singapore is specially decorated with the image of the red flag with a yellow star. Photo: Hai Hoang

The “closed bubble” principle is applied by the host country’s Organizing Committee throughout the tournament. All teams participating in the AFF Cup 2020 only operate within a fixed schedule from the hotel to the training ground/competition ground and vice versa, absolutely not going outside the “bubble”. Even the hotel gym must be closed.

Vietnam team went to Singapore with 29 players. Photo: Hai Hoang

In addition, the Vietnamese team and other teams have to eat in... their bedrooms, not in the dining area. Therefore, on this trip abroad, the members of the Vietnamese team brought a lot of food from Vietnam.

Because they were not allowed to use the GYM, the VFF logistics department prepared exercise equipment in the room, brought a mini swimming pool for ice soaking, rented bicycles, borrowed a ping pong table for entertainment...

Players operate in a closed environment following the "bubble" principle throughout the tournament. Photo: Hai Hoang

In general, the Vietnamese team must strictly comply with the regulations of the host country's Organizing Committee for about 1 month of the tournament. However, these are difficulties that Park Hang-seo and his team identified even before they arrived in Singapore.

What coach Park Hang-seo and his team are most concerned about is their professional and psychological preparation for the tournament. The Vietnamese team currently has no injuries.

The Vietnam team has 6 days to prepare for the opening match against Laos, December 6.