HÀ NỘI — Across Việt Nam, people are giddy with excitement to watch the final between Việt Nam U23 and Uzbekistan at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship in China on January 27, and preparations for match day are well underway.

Việt Nam created history by reaching the final of the AFC U23 Championship on January 23, thanks to a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Qatar in the semi-final, becoming the first Southeast Asian country to enter the final of the championship.

Millions of Vietnamese are holding on to the belief that the team can write their names in the history books and bring home the trophy.

Many Vietnamese bought tickets to China to watch the game, while others are finding places to cheer on their boys at home.

Supporters at Hà Nội University of Technology. — Photo baomoi.com

According to the Hà Nội Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 15 large LED screens will be installed in public gardens and parks for fans.

On walking streets around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, large LED screens will be placed at Lý Thái Tổ Statue and Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục Square.

People can watch the match at National Mỹ Đình Stadium and seven movie theatres in the capital which will open for free.

Mỹ Đình Stadium is expected to draw 60,000 – 70,000 supporters in and outside the stadium to see the match on five LED screens.

In addition, universities across the country are ready to support the team.

According to the student association of Hà Nội University of Technology, three LED screens will be set up at Bách Khoa Stadium to serve students. The stadium has a capacity of 8,000 people.

Meanwhile, FPT University is preparing to dye its 30-ha campus red via T-shirts with national flags. The uniform will be distributed for free to students, staff and teachers.

The Hà Nội University of Industry will also give Vietnamese flag stickers free to students and staffs. All of them will wear T-shirts with Vietnamese at the sporting event hall of the university.

A building of FPT University hang Vietnamese flags to support the team. — Photo vnexpress.net

In HCM City, there are many places to support the U23 team including Youth Cultural House in District 1 and Nguyễn Huệ walking street.

Besides providing free entry for fans, fans can avail of drink deals and take part in many games held by the Youth Cultural House.

“There are about 5,000 supporters coming to the house. Besides entertainment programmes and games, the Youth Cultural House will provide all audiences small flags to support Việt Nam,” said Nguyễn Anh Thi, representative of Youth Cultural House.

Deputy Chairwoman of HCM City People’s Committee, Nguyễn Thị Thu announced that the municipal leaders asked HCM City Football Joint Stock Company to set up screens for people to watch live the final at Nguyễn Huệ walking street in District 1. — VNS