Nepal chooses Thong Nhat Stadium as 'home field', Vietnam team benefits greatly

According to the schedule, the Vietnamese team will play the first leg against Nepal on October 9 at Go Dau Stadium (HCMC). Five days later, coach Kim Sang Sik and his team were supposed to travel to Kathmandu for the return match.

However, due to the escalating tension in Nepal, the AFC has approved the plan to let Nepal use Thong Nhat Stadium as their “home field”. This means that the Vietnamese team will play both matches in October right on Vietnamese territory.

This decision gives the Vietnamese team an advantage in terms of travel, fitness and preparation. This is also an opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City fans to directly cheer on coach Kim Sang-sik and his team in an official match of the national team.

After two matches in Group F, the Vietnamese team has 1 win and 1 loss, temporarily ranking second in the group. The two consecutive confrontations with Nepal are considered "pivotal", deciding the chance to compete for a ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup Finals.

To prepare for this important series of matches, the Vietnamese team will gather from the beginning of October. During the training session last September, coach Kim Sang-sik took advantage of the time to review the team, test personnel and strengthen the playing style.

Fans are waiting for an ambitious Vietnam team, making the most of home field advantage to achieve favorable results, opening up great hope in the 2027 Asian Cup campaign.