As Vietnam prepares for the AFF Cup 2024 with championship aspirations, the national team will engage in a series of high-profile friendly matches in September and October.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Head Coach Kim Sang Sik have outlined a detailed plan for the last six months of 2024, focusing on key tournaments including the AFF Cup 2024 and the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

The team’s preparation includes two FIFA Days camps in September and October, featuring international friendlies designed to test players and strategies.

In September, Vietnam is scheduled to compete against Thailand and either Russia or Panama in a triangular tournament. October will see potential matchups with India and Lebanon.

The friendly matches include formidable opponents, providing Vietnam with valuable competitive experience. Among these, the clash with Thailand is particularly anticipated, given their status as a strong rival in Southeast Asia.

With meticulous preparation, Coach Kim Sang Sik and his team are confident heading into the AFF Cup 2024, where Vietnam is grouped with Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos.

In 2024, after the Southeast Asian Women’s Championship was rescheduled to 2025, the Vietnam Women’s National Team will have no international competitions. Despite this, the VFF is ensuring thorough preparation for the team, led by Coach Mai Duc Chung, with plans to participate in a European training camp and an international tournament in China.

This preparation aims to ready the team for significant events in 2025, including the 33rd SEA Games, the Southeast Asian Women’s Championship, and the 2026 Asian Cup qualifiers.

The Vietnamese U16 and U19 teams are set to compete in the qualifiers for the U17/U20 Asian Championships, with the goal of reaching the final stages. The U19 team will train in Japan before the September 2024 qualifiers, and the U16 team is scheduled for an international tournament in China followed by a training camp in Japan.

Additionally, the Vietnam futsal team will participate in the Southeast Asian Championship and the AIMG6 (Indoor Games) in Thailand in November 2024, aiming to secure a spot in the finals and the top four respectively.

The U23 team will also continue with training camps and international friendlies to gain valuable match experience.

Dai Nam