Football

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese national team will face Bangladesh in an international friendly on March 26 at Hàng Đẫy Stadium in Hà Nội.

The squad are currently training at the Việt Nam Youth Football Training Centre to prepare for the match.

Naturalised midfielder Đỗ Hoàng Hên of Hà Nội FC said he is honoured to wear the national jersey and is determined to contribute. 

“I am very happy and proud to wear the Vietnamese national team jersey," he said.

"I love Việt Nam and will try my best to play well for the national flag.”

Hên said coach Kim Sang-sik encouraged him on the first day of camp, asking him to play with confidence and to maximise his abilities.

He quickly bonded with teammates, many of whom he has played with at club level. Hên added that the team are aiming for a positive result against Bangladesh to build momentum for the match against Malaysia.

The new recruit also said he learned to sing the Vietnamese national anthem and feels a strong responsibility when wearing the national jersey.

After more than five years living and playing in Việt Nam, he regards the country as his second home and has strong support from his family.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh men’s national team have arrived in Hà Nội to begin preparations for the friendly. According to the registration list, Bangladesh have brought a squad that include several players based abroad - in England, Finland, the US, Canada and Denmark. That experience is expected to boost the South Asian side’s competitiveness, particularly in high-intensity playmaking and tackling.

Most notable is midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who previously played for Leicester City in the English Premier League. Choudhury joined Leicester’s academy at age seven, progressed through the youth ranks and earned seven caps for England U21.

His honours include the FA Cup (2020–21), the Community Shield (2021) and the Championship title (2023–24) with Leicester City. His presence is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s midfield.

The Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) confirmed that a refereeing team from Hong Kong (China) will officiate the friendly featuring main referee Cheung Wai Lung Mario (born 1995) and assistants Chow Chun Kit (born 1981) and Lam Cheuk Hong (born 1992). The fourth official will be FIFA referee Hoàng Ngọc Hà.

Referee Cheung is regarded as strict in the Hong Kong Premier League. In nine matches he has officiated there, he issued 43 yellow cards (an average of nearly 4.8 per match), one second-yellow dismissal, one direct red card and awarded four penalties.

The VFF has also announced ticketing arrangements. Tickets will be sold via the OneU app (formerly VinID) in two price categories: VNĐ200,000 and VNĐ300,000.

The Việt Nam vs Bangladesh friendly kicks off at 7pm on March 26 at Hàng Đẫy Stadium. Việt Nam will then have several days to prepare before hosting Malaysia at Thiên Trường Stadium in Ninh Bình Province on March 31 in the final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup. — VNS