Vietnam team warmly welcomed in Qatar

QATAR The Vietnamese team arrived in Doha this afternoon, January 5, after an eight-hour flight from Hanoi, starting their journey to the 2023 Asian Cup.

The flight carrying Vietnam landed at Doha International Airport at 1:00 p.m. local time, or 5:00 p.m. Hanoi time. As the team was participating in an international tournament, they were given priority to clear the check-in process quickly.

Welcoming Vietnam are the five mascots of the 2023 Asian Cup named Saboog, Tmbki, Freha, Zkriti and Traeneh. The mascots are inspired by jerboas - rodents native to Qatar. The five rats also represent a family.

Volunteers at the airport presented mascots and wreaths to team members. Some of the U23 players had traveled to Qatar with coach Philippe Troussier for the 2023 Doha Cup. The temperature in Qatar is currently around 16 degrees Celsius at night and 26 degrees Celsius at noon, but the sunshine is long.

Outside the airport, a small group of Vietnamese people were present to welcome the team. They carried the national flag and asked for autographs from some members, including goalkeeper Nguyen Filip.

The team boarded a bus to the four-star Holiday Villa hotel, 5 km from the airport, about 10 minutes away. The Vietnamese logistics team issued room cards to each pair of players. They had been in Doha since yesterday, January 4, to check the accommodation conditions and check in early.

Vietnamese people living and working in Doha were also present at the hotel to welcome the team. Coach Philippe Troussier is no stranger to this country, having led the Qatar team in 2003 and 2004.

Holiday Villa Hotel prepared a sweet party to welcome the Vietnam team. Hotel representatives and Coach Troussier cut a cake specially made for the team as a welcome.

After the welcoming ceremony, the Vietnamese players enjoyed a late buffet lunch with a full range of Asian and European dishes.

The host country placed photos of some Vietnamese players to show their meticulous preparation. The photos captured moments such as Quang Hai (bottom row, middle) competing in the 2018 AFC U23 Championship finals, or Do Hung Dung (top row, left) at the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines.

After the meal, Coach Troussier will brief the team on the schedule in the conference room, then go to their rooms to rest. Before dinner, the team will practice in the gym and swimming pool to relax before starting the practice session to get used to the climate and field tomorrow, January 6.

Hieu Luong

Photo: Doan Huynh

Vnexpress.net

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