Vietnamese football fans have been paying up to 3.5 times the original ticket price to secure seats for the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 semi-final between Singapore and Vietnam at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Several Vietnamese fans in Singapore revealed to Bong Da reporters that they had to resort to purchasing tickets on the black market. Each pair of tickets cost around 5 million VND, significantly higher than the original price set by the host organizers.
Initially, Singapore’s Football Association announced that 300 tickets, priced at approximately 718,000 VND each (1.5 million VND per pair), would be allocated to Vietnamese fans. These tickets were supposed to be sold on match day, December 26, at Jalan Besar Stadium, starting at 3:00 PM and available until 30 minutes before kick-off.
However, the Singapore Football Association later rescinded this plan, stating that the tickets would no longer be sold at the stadium. Instead, they announced that the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) would distribute the tickets to Vietnamese fans.
Despite this adjustment, the VFF confirmed they could only secure 70 tickets for Vietnamese fans through two official supporter groups, the Vietnam Fans Supporters Club (VFS) in the north and the Vietnam Golden Star (VGS).
This limited availability and last-minute changes forced many fans to turn to alternative sources, leading to exorbitant prices. The black-market rates have placed an additional burden on Vietnamese fans who traveled to Singapore with hopes of supporting their national team.
The AFF Cup 2024 semi-final match promises to be a thrilling encounter as Vietnam looks to overcome a strong Singaporean side on their home turf. However, the ticketing situation has sparked frustration among fans, who feel let down by the coordination between the two football associations.
This situation underscores the ongoing challenges of ticket allocation and distribution for international tournaments, especially in high-demand matches. Despite these difficulties, Vietnamese fans remain determined to show their support, with many making significant sacrifices to cheer for their team in Singapore.
As the match approaches, the fervor among fans continues to grow, highlighting the passionate support for football in Vietnam. Whether watching from the stands or supporting from afar, Vietnamese fans remain a vital part of the team’s journey in the AFF Cup 2024.
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