Hanoi, March 31, 2025 – The Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) has directly addressed The Cong Viettel following concerns over the substandard condition of the My Dinh Stadium pitch during their National Cup 2024/2025 quarterfinal match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai on March 30. Despite playing at the national stadium, the poor surface disrupted both teams’ performance and led to several player injuries, triggering an immediate response from the VPF.
Hours after The Cong Viettel’s 2-0 victory—courtesy of goals from Khuat Van Khang and Danh Trung—the VPF issued an urgent directive to the club. Their statement read: “Concerning the inadequate pitch quality during the recent The Cong Viettel vs. Hoang Anh Gia Lai match, the National Professional Football Organizing Committee sent an official letter to The Cong Viettel this morning. We recognize the club’s efforts to organize home matches effectively. However, the pitch remains unsatisfactory due to recent events hosted at My Dinh Stadium and ineffective grass maintenance.”
The VPF pointed to My Dinh’s use for non-football activities and inadequate upkeep as the culprits behind the patchy, uneven turf. “To ensure pitch quality for future matches, we request The Cong Viettel coordinate with stadium management to suspend all activities on the grass and intensify maintenance efforts,” the letter urged. The issue marred an otherwise dominant display by Viettel, who controlled the game but faced unnecessary challenges due to the surface.
The VPF announced a pitch evaluation scheduled for April 3. Should My Dinh fail to meet standards, The Cong Viettel—the “Soldiers”—may need to lease an alternative venue for home games, following the precedent set by Ha Tinh FC, which shifted to Vinh Stadium earlier this season due to similar issues. With a National Cup semifinal against either Cong An Ha Noi or Hai Phong looming on April 22, Viettel faces a tight deadline to rectify the problem.
The subpar state of My Dinh, a recurring headache for Vietnamese football, has drawn scrutiny despite its national status. Viettel, currently second in the V-League and riding high after their quarterfinal win, must now address this logistical hurdle. The VPF’s pointed notice reflects a broader demand for improved facilities as the season progresses.
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