Hanoi FC midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai is surrounded by Saigon FC players during their V.League 1 match earlier this year. (Source: techz.vn) Thismeans Vietnam's representatives Hanoi FC (Group G) and Sai Gon FC (Group H)will not compete in the continental tournament.
AFCGeneral Secretary Datuk Windsor Paul John shared the news on hmetro.com.my and said an officialannouncement would be made in the coming days.
TheFootball Association of Singapore (FAS) previously agreed to host matches ingroups H and I scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 6.
However,it decided to withdraw due to theevolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and around the region.
TheAFC tried to find new hosts before making the decision but failed.
John said itwas quite difficult to find a host in a short time and the matches cannot bepostponed because they will disrupt domestic leagues, while many countrieshave kept borders shut with COVID-19 case numbers still high.
Onits website, the AFC also stated: "It was decided that the competitionwill continue with the remaining matches and groups as much as possible, whileat the same time, the matches across all stages which cannot be played due tomatters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic will be cancelled and that suchcancellations will be recognised as an event of Force Majeure."
Inother news, Vietnamese champions Viettel FC have been officially oustedfrom the AFC Champions League after their 1-3 loss to Thai BG Pathum United on July5 in Bangkok.
Viettel’sPedro Paulo opened the scoring in the 23rd minute but the hosts dominatedthe second half and netted three goals to secure the win and strengthentheir grip on second position.
Viettelare third after four matches with three points, nine less than leader UlsanHyundai of the Republic of Korea and six below BG Pathum United. Theystill have two matches later this week but even winning both won't be enough toqualify.
“Wetried in the first half, but it’s not enough,” temporary Viettel headcoach Jurgen Gede was quoted as saying on the-afc.com.
"Wewere not ready and not focused enough. We knew they were going to press andclose the gaps. We didn’t have any chance to beat BG Pathum United.
“Afterthe two goals, it was over, as the players didn’t have the confidence to comeback. We have to congratulate BG Pathum United for playing well, but for us, wehave to learn from our mistakes.”/.
VNA
