ID :
32871
Fri, 11/28/2008 - 20:53
Auther :
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http://m.oananews.org//node/32871
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VN ready to step in as AFF Cup host
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam could take over as Group B host for the
ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup if current events force a change
of venue.
The current political crisis in Thailand , which saw Thai protesters
besiege Suvarnabhumi Airport on Nov 26 night, forced thinking about
changes, to tournament logistics.
Fifteen flight between Hanoi and Bangkok were cancelled on Nov 26 as
a result of the protests.
Malaysia are also being considered as an alternative host if
Thailand is unable to hold the matches from December 5-12.
Chairman of the Vietnam Football Federation, Nguyen Trong Hy, who is in
Shanghai for an Asian Football Confederation meeting, said Vietnam are ready
to host the game if AFF appoints them to do so.
Vietnam hosted the championship in 1998 and one of the groups in
2004.
Last year, Vietnam successfully organised the final round of the
Asian Cup along with Thailand , Malaysia and Indonesia .
However, the Football Association of Thailand confirmed with the Bangkok
Post on Nov.27 that the group B competition will remain unchanged.
Football Association of Thailand's President Worawi Makudi said: "The
current political troubles will not prevent Thailand from co-hosting
next month's Suzuki Cup.
Worawi was responding to reports in the New Straits Times that the
tournament would move to Malaysia if the Asean Football Federation (AFF)
decided Bangkok was not safe enough to hold the event.
"I would like to confirm that the tournament will go ahead on
schedule," he said. Matches are scheduled to start in Indonesia on
December 5 and in Thailand on December 6.
"I told the other three teams in our group that if planes are unable to
land at Suvarnabhumi airport, alternatives include Don Mueang and U-Tapao
airports."
He said he was sure security would be fine.
"As the host of the tournament, we cannot cancel or change things 10 days
before the tournament begins. We have made a lot of preparations for the
tournament and not to follow through would give Thailand a bad
reputation," he said.
The championship will see Vietnam , Thailand , Malaysia and Laos
playing in group B in Bangkok , Singapore , Cambodia , Indonesia and
Myanmar will compete in group A in Jakarta.-Enditem
ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup if current events force a change
of venue.
The current political crisis in Thailand , which saw Thai protesters
besiege Suvarnabhumi Airport on Nov 26 night, forced thinking about
changes, to tournament logistics.
Fifteen flight between Hanoi and Bangkok were cancelled on Nov 26 as
a result of the protests.
Malaysia are also being considered as an alternative host if
Thailand is unable to hold the matches from December 5-12.
Chairman of the Vietnam Football Federation, Nguyen Trong Hy, who is in
Shanghai for an Asian Football Confederation meeting, said Vietnam are ready
to host the game if AFF appoints them to do so.
Vietnam hosted the championship in 1998 and one of the groups in
2004.
Last year, Vietnam successfully organised the final round of the
Asian Cup along with Thailand , Malaysia and Indonesia .
However, the Football Association of Thailand confirmed with the Bangkok
Post on Nov.27 that the group B competition will remain unchanged.
Football Association of Thailand's President Worawi Makudi said: "The
current political troubles will not prevent Thailand from co-hosting
next month's Suzuki Cup.
Worawi was responding to reports in the New Straits Times that the
tournament would move to Malaysia if the Asean Football Federation (AFF)
decided Bangkok was not safe enough to hold the event.
"I would like to confirm that the tournament will go ahead on
schedule," he said. Matches are scheduled to start in Indonesia on
December 5 and in Thailand on December 6.
"I told the other three teams in our group that if planes are unable to
land at Suvarnabhumi airport, alternatives include Don Mueang and U-Tapao
airports."
He said he was sure security would be fine.
"As the host of the tournament, we cannot cancel or change things 10 days
before the tournament begins. We have made a lot of preparations for the
tournament and not to follow through would give Thailand a bad
reputation," he said.
The championship will see Vietnam , Thailand , Malaysia and Laos
playing in group B in Bangkok , Singapore , Cambodia , Indonesia and
Myanmar will compete in group A in Jakarta.-Enditem
