Vietnam head coach Park Hang-seo had tried to persuade Hai to join SEA Games 31 twice. However, Hai said he will go abroad after ending his contract with Hanoi FC on April 12 and won't be available, since this event is not a FIFA competition and clubs can refuse to release players for national duty.

Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai (R) and coach Park Hang-seo.

According to the regulations, each U23 team competing in SEA Games 30 can register three older players. Since Hai couldn't play, coach Park chose national captain Do Hung Dung, striker Nguyen Tien Linh and midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc.

These three will gather with the U23 team on April 14, a week later than the others.

In the previous SEA Games, Dung was also chosen as one of the three players over 23 and played a crucial part in the team's journey in winning the gold medal.

Hosts Vietnam are in group A with Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Timor Leste. The first game, between Vietnam and Indonesia, will take place on May 6.

Bac Giang ensures public order and security to host badminton event at SEA Games 31

(BGO) – On April 5, the provincial Public Security held meeting to implement programmes to ensure public order and security for badminton event at the 31st Southeastern Asian Games (SEA Games 31) in Bac Giang province under the chair of Colonel Do Duc Trinh, Vice Director of the provincial Public Security, Head of Public Security Sub-Committee to serve badminton event at SEA Games 31.

Vietnam to face Indonesia in SEA Games 31 group stage

Vietnam and Indonesia, who met in the previous SEA Games final, will go head to head again in the upcoming event's group stage.

Coach Park Hang-seo calls up 27 players to prepare for SEA Games 31

On April 5, head coach Park Hang-seo announced a list of 27 players for Vietnam’s U23 team in preparation for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

SEA Games 31: Agencies asked to build suitable Covid-19 control plan

Medical agencies have been asked to build a specific Covid-19 prevention and control plan corresponding with that of regional countries, in preparation for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

SEA Games 31: Vietnamese shooters aim at 5-7 gold medals

Vietnam’s shooting team has set a target of winning between five and seven gold medals at the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), with the shooters scheduled to take a pre-SEA Games tournament at home this weekend.

Source: VnExpress