Vietnam arrives ahead of Sunday night Azkals clash

By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

The Vietnam national football team arrived in Bacolod City earlier this week ahead of the first leg of their 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal against the Philippine national football team, the Azkals. The two are scheduled to meet on Sunday, December 2, at the Panaad Park and Stadium with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

Azkals striker Phil Younghusband lamented on social media about the lack of attendance during home games.

“It saddens me to see that, out of 10 teams in the Suzuki Cup 2018 competition, from each of the team’s two home games in the group, we have the lowest attendance,” he wrote as a caption on an Instagram post. “Even Timor-Leste, who did not play one game in their country, had been able to garner more support than us.”

The forward urged Bacolod City supporters to show up to the match.

“If you are in Bacolod, can fly to Bacolod, or can tell friends in Bacolod – let’s try and fill Panaad Stadium,” he stated.

In 2010, the Philippines defeated Vietnam, 2-0, in what had been coined the “Miracle in Hanoi.”/JSG, WDJ