Goalkeeper Đặng Văn Lâm may not participate in the 2020 AFF Cup. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) has confirmed that No 1 goalkeeper Đặng Văn Lâm may not participate in Việt Nam’s campaign to defend the ASEAN Football Federation Cup later this year.

VFF Vice President Trần Quốc Tuấn said he will work with head coach Park Hang-seo to prepare the team in case Lâm fails to make the final list.

Lâm is currently member of Muagthong United in the Thai League which is scheduled to be held on September 2020 to May 2021.

The AFF Cup is planned to be held on November 23 to December 31. It is not a competition in the official tournament calendar of the world football governing body FIFA and the Cup is not in the FIFA Days so clubs do not have to release their players. Lâm is one of 30 ASEAN players competing in the Thai League.

“We have no choice because it is a regulation. We are to work with Park Hang-seo to set a plan in that case,” said Tuấn.

South Korean Park has Trần Nguyên Mạnh of Viettel, Bùi Tiến Dũng of HCM City, Nguyễn Văn Toản of Hải Phòng FC and Nguyễn Văn Công of Hà Nội FC who have participated in different tournaments in the past.

Việt Nam won their second AFF Cup trophy in 2018 after beating Malaysia 3-2 in a two-leg final. — VNS