Hai Phong FC would like to host Vietnam’s matches team in the final round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers campaign at Lach Tray Stadium after international media complained about the grass quality at My Dinh Stadium. Photo courtesy of Hai Phong FC

After the loss to Australia last week, the condition of the pitch at My Dinh was heavily criticised.

Now Hai Phong FC president Tran Van Hoan, has written to the People's Committee and Department of Culture and Sports of Hai Phong, asking to work with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on the possibility of Lach Chay Stadium hosting the matches against Saudi Arabia on November 16 and China on February 1.

In the proposal, the club says they believe that organising Vietnam’s matches on low quality grass surface such as My Dinh will affect the professional quality of the game as well as the image of the country.

VFF board members said that they have not yet received the proposal from Hai Phong. However, the possibility of the national team playing at Lach Tray is low due to many regulations of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Rules state the stadium must be near an international airport so that the visiting team can minimise the travel distance, be close to a five-star hotel to ensure safety and have training facilities nearby.

After the 1-0 victory against Vietnam, Australian coach Graham Arnold complained about the grass of My Dinh, saying it had detrimental effect on his team’s performance.

Australian media even compared the stadium surface to a "cow paddock".

My Dinh Stadium is a non-business unit under the management of the General Department of Physical Education and Sports. VFF has to pay a fee every time the national team plays there.

Addressing the criticism of the pitch, director of the My Dinh National Sports Complex Nguyen Trong Ho said: "The grass is still good as AFC has checked and assessed the pitch to be of good quality, thereby allowing the match to be held."

Currently, Hai Phong FC is waiting for the permission of the People's Committee and the Department of Culture and Sports of Hai Phong City to work with VFF. If this is approved, the representative of the club will send an official letter to VFF.

Lach Tray Stadium used to be considered one of the low-quality stadiums in Vietnam. However, the team has just invested to improve the grass, lights and facilities.

In the 2022 World Cup third round qualification, Vietnam are still to win a point after two defeats to Saudi Arabia and Australia and are only above the bottom team China in group B thanks to a better goal difference.

The team will return to training on September 16 to prepare for the two away matches against China and Oman in October.

Source: Vietnam News

Vietnam lose 0-1 to Australia in World Cup qualifiers

Vietnam lost 0-1 to Australia in a match of the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers, which took place at My Dinh national stadium in Hanoi on September 7.