Hai Duong fans enthusiastically cheer for the Vietnamese team

Many people from Hai Duong went to Viet Tri city since morning.

This is not the first time the Vietnamese team has faced their arch-rival Thailand in a final. But every time the clash between the two teams has created a “fever” among fans. The excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation are easily seen in the fans for this match.

Although the final match did not take place until 8pm, early in the afternoon of January 2, Ms. Tran Thi Huyen in Nhan Hung residential area, Nam Sach town, and 2 friends wearing red Sao Vang flag shirts, carrying the national flag and banner, moved to Viet Tri stadium (Phu Tho) to cheer for the Vietnamese team.

“We had to work very hard to get tickets to the stadium to cheer for the Vietnamese team. But it’s okay because cheering for Tien Linh and his teammates is a joy, especially against Thailand. Vietnam is the champion!”, Ms. Huyen said excitedly.

According to the reporter’s investigation, a few days ago, the price of “black market” tickets to Viet Tri Stadium (for stands C and D) to watch the final match was up to over 3 million VND/pair. However, some people in Hai Duong still paid to own tickets to watch.

Mr. Nguyen Duong in Cam Giang district is one of them. Mr. Duong excitedly informed: “I went to Viet Tri this morning to anticipate the possibility of traffic jams. The cost of travel, food and accommodation is not small, but this is a match that cannot be missed. I am eagerly waiting for the ball to roll so that I can cheer for the Vietnamese team.”

Hai Duong fans who are unable to travel to Viet Tri have made plans to “support” the Vietnamese team from their hometowns. Early this morning, more than 20 people from Kim Trang Dong village, Lam Son commune (Thanh Mien) gathered at the village cultural house to hang the national flag, install a 60-inch TV screen, set up tables and chairs, prepare drinks, etc. to serve the villagers to cheer for the match.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Cuoc, Head of Kim Trang Dong Village excitedly said: “In the previous matches of the Vietnamese team at this tournament, the villagers went to the communal house to watch and cheer. Tonight, the number of people is expected to be larger, so the village moved the venue to the cultural house for a more spacious space. The people of Kim Trang Dong love football very much and have arranged their work to be there on time to cheer for the team. The atmosphere tonight will definitely be as joyful as a festival. We have also come up with a script to celebrate the victory of the Vietnamese team.”

According to the reporter's investigation, many restaurants in Nam Sach, Tu Ky, Gia Loc districts, Hai Duong city... have prepared projector screens, TVs, and additional tables and chairs to serve customers watching football. Many families invite friends and relatives to their homes to celebrate and cheer. "I will go crazy if Vietnam wins tonight," said Mr. Bui Van Tu in Hai Duong city excitedly.

Hope Hoang Duc and Tien Linh will shine

The final match is heating up by the hour. In addition to being mentally prepared to cheer, Hai Duong fans believe that the Vietnamese team will win against the “war elephants”.

Head coach of Hai Duong U13 Tran Huu Hung predicted that the final match would be tense, tight, and exciting from the start. However, this is a match where coach Kim Sang Sik's team will play at home, and will have enthusiastic support from the fans, so they have many advantages.

In the past matches, although there are still some worrying issues, in general, the quality of the Vietnamese team's squad is deep with many players who know how to create different moments. "We have many good players, but Thailand is also a top team in the region with many names who always know how to shine. The psychological issue will decide a lot of the result of this match. Of course, I believe Vietnam will defeat the opponent tonight," said Mr. Hung.

Nguyen Xuan Son - the naturalized player is leading the scoring list at this year's AFF Cup with 5 goals and 2 assists. This is the name that Vietnamese fans are waiting for to continue to shine in tonight's important match. However, in the hands of the Korean coach, there are still many factors that can make a difference, including 2 players from Hai Duong, Tien Linh and Hoang Duc.

“I believe Hoang Duc, Tien Linh and our players will win. Vietnam 2, Thailand 0,” said Pham Van Truong in Tu Ky district.

In the pre-match press conference, Vietnam coach Kim Sang Sik confidently affirmed that the whole team was ready and confident to enter the match with the highest spirit. He believed in the players, believed in the victory of the Vietnam team. And Hai Duong fans also had the same belief as him.