U23 Vietnam started to tour Qatar

U23 Vietnam split into two groups to fly to Qatar due to insufficient tickets. The first group including coach Philippe Troussier, 11 players and some assistants boarded the flight at 9am this morning on March 18 from Noi Bai airport, Hanoi and was present at Doha airport at 16h00.

The second group, consisting of the remaining members, departed from Noi Bai airport at 19:30 and is expected to arrive in Doha at 3:30 on March 19, Hanoi time, or 23:30 on March 18, Doha time. The front-line delegation of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) went to Doha from March 17 to check accommodation conditions, training ground, competition and waiting for the team.

U23 Vietnam is arranged to stay at the four-star Crowne Plaza hotel. VFF said this is a comfortable hotel, used to be the base of the German and Saudi teams at the 2022 World Cup. The hotel has a Thai chef, so it can cook to Vietnamese tastes. This will also be the base of U23 Thailand.

After resting, 11 players were asked to exercise in the gym to maintain their fitness. The team will enter the first practice session at the yard after having enough troops tomorrow, March 19.

The 2023 Doha Cup friendly tournament coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims only eat and drink after sunset. Therefore, the matches of the tournament also take place with a late time frame. To adapt, coach Philippe Troussier had the players practice late at night many times in three weeks of training in Hanoi.

U23 Vietnam respectively faced Iraq and the UAE at 2:45 am on March 23 at Al Gharafa Stadium and at 0:30 am on March 26 at Al Ahli Stadium in Hanoi time. After placing the first two rounds, the team will determine the third opponent, which is one of the seven U23 teams Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Oman, South Korea, Qatar, Kuwait or Kyrgyzstan.