Football
Borussia Dortmund's players celebrate after the UEFA Champions League Group G football match against Manchester City in Dortmund on October 25. AFP/VNA Photo
HÀ NỘI — A friendly match late next month against Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund (BVB) will be the Việt Nam national team's final test ahead of the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup later this year.
The match, which will be played on November 30 at the Mỹ Đình Stadium in Hà Nội, was announced at a press conference in the capital city.
The European club's agreement to tour Việt Nam results from its partnership between Next Media Company and the Việt Nam Football Federation.
"We are honoured to bring the top German team to Việt Nam for a friendly match this November," Next Media Deputy General Director Đỗ Thanh Tùng said.
"It is thanks to our cooperation with Borussia Dortmund and the support from the Bundesliga. We hope that through matches with strong rivals, the national players will have the opportunity to experience and improve their expertise.
"In addition, Vietnamese supporters will also have the opportunity to witness world-famous players playing in Việt Nam," he said.
Speaking at the conference Julia Farr, senior manager of International & New Business, Sportive Coordinator at Borussia Dortmund, said after a very successful tour of the club's legends team to HCM City last September, BVB are excited to bring their current team to Hà Nội.
Julia Farr, Senior Manager International & New Business, Sportive Coordinator at Borussia Dortmund, (third, right) and Cao Văn Chóng, VFF Vice President exchange shirts at the press conference in Hà Nội on October 26. Photo courtesy of Next Media
"Việt Nam is very important for Borussia Dortmund in Asia. Passion and love for the game are deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. We can't wait to bring our professional team to local fans and supporters for the first time in history," she said.
"With the support of Next Media, VFF, DFL and our tour partners, we are confident to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience in Việt Nam with many touchpoints for our local fans.
"The trip will certainly be highlighted by our match against Việt Nam's National Team and together with Next Media, we will continue to create success on and off the pitch."
VFF General Secretary Lê Hoài Anh said the match will be a test for the coaching board ahead of the AFF Cup.
He added that the friendly was a follow-up event of the activities implemented under the cooperation of Next Media, the VFF and BVB.
While Việt Nam will name their strongest side for the match, BVB have yet to name any players that will make the trip.
Việt Nam players celebrate a 4-0 win over Singapore during a friendly tournament in HCM City in September. Việt Nam will host BVB in a friendly next month in preparation for the AFF Cup. Photo courtesy of VFF
Farr said they are waiting for the German and other national sides to confirm who will be playing at the World Cup, which kicks off ten days before. However, she promised that the best of the rest would play against Việt Nam.
Borussia Dortmund's visit to Việt Nam is a following part of the "True Love -- To the Future" campaign, which was organised last month in HCM City.
True Love included different activities, including a friendly match between All Stars Việt Nam and Borussia Dortmund's Legends to support orphans and children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tickets for the match have been distributed online at VNĐ800,000 (US$32), VNĐ1,200,000 ($48) and VNĐ1,600,000 ($64) through VinID app since October 26. VNS
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