The V.League 1 match between Hanoi FC and Saigon FC will be played behind closed doors to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Ha Noi FC captain Nguyễn Văn Quyết (left) challengesBình ĐỊnh's strikerNguyễn Xuan Nam during their V.League 1 on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of VPF

In an announcement on their Facebook page, the capital club said: "The Hang Đẫy Stadium will not open for supporters including those with season tickets for the match between Ha Noi and Sai Gòn on May 2. It is because of the recent cases of COVID-19 pandemic in the community." 

Ha Noi are currently sit in 10th place in the league after their loss 0-1 to Bình Định on Wednesday. They are out of top six teams who could vie for the silverware in the next stage of the national league.

Speaking at the post-match briefing, new coach Park Choong-kyun confirmed that he was always prepared for the worst.

The South Korean said he has not even unpacked his suitcase since his arrival. 

Ha Noi still can jump back to the top six if they win their two remaining games and hope other teams above them drop points.

Meanwhile Sai Gòn beat Đa Nẵng 2-1 to record their first win on away ground this season. It was the second win of the team under new coach Phung Thanh Phương, and  they get out of bottom three zone to land at No 11.

As well as the match in the capital, four other games will also be held without fans.

They are matches between Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Becamex Bình Dương in Pleiku; Hồng Lĩnh Ha Tĩnh and Nam Định in Ha Tĩnh; Bình Định and Than Quảng Ninh in Quy Nhơn and Thanh Hóa and Song Lam Nghe An in Thanh Hóa.

To date, only Thống Nhất Stadium in HCM City will welcome supporters to watch host HCM City vs Hải Phòng and Hòa Xuan Stadium in Đa Nẵng will open for fans in the game of Đa Nẵng vs Viettel.

After 11 matches, Hoang Anh Gia Lai are on top with 28 points. They are followed by Viettel with 23 and Nam Định on 18.

The organisers of the V.League 1 also changed the schedule of the final round of the first period.

The 13th round games will be held two days earlier than planned, on May 7 instead of May 9, to ensure COVID-19 pandemic control activities and measures. It is also to ensure the first period of the V.League 1's safely finishes.

After that, tournaments will have a break so that players would serve the national team for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. VNS