Vietnamese midfielder Nguyễn Tuấn Anh (right) vies for a ball against Malaysian defender Aidil Zafuan Radzak during their World Cup qualifier last October. Their return match has been delayed, causing a postponement of Việt Nam's friendly game versus Kyrgyzstan on March 26. — Photo motthegioi.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) has announced the cancellation of a friendly match between the national teams of Việt Nam and Kyrgyzstan in Bình Dương Province on March 26.

The match is expected to be a warm-up for both sides ahead of their 2022 World Cup qualifying round some days later. Việt Nam were scheduled to face Malaysia in Group G on March 31, while Kyrgyzstan were to meet Myanmar in Group F on the same day.

However, the world governing football body FIFA and its Asian confederation member AFC have agreed to the postponement of upcoming matches in the Asian FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

As the result, Việt Nam’s matches against Malaysia, Indonesia (on June 4) and the UAE (June 9) will be delayed to October 13, November 12 and November 11, respectively. It is the same for Kyrgyzstan, who will play Myanmar, Mongolia and Japan in their last three matches of this third qualification.

Both Việt Nam and Kyrgyzstan need to adjust their plans, according to the VFF, so the friendly would not be held on schedule. — VNS