Russian footballers to take charter flight to Vietnam for FIFA Days 2024

Russian players are set to arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi at 13:00 on September 4 and have a warm-up exercise at 19:00 in the evening of the same day before playing their Vietnamese hosts the following day, said the VFF representative.

The players will have only 24 hours to acclimate to the stadium and the climate before the official match against Vietnam at 20:00 on September 5.

Among 38 players in the provisional lineup, Coach Valeri Karpin has called up several promising players currently playing abroad, including goalkeeper Matvey Safonov (PSG), forward Herman Onugha (Vejle), and midfielder Daler Kuzyaev (Le Havre).

Notably, midfielder Maksim Glushenkov, who is currently leading the goal-scoring chart in the Russian Premier League with 7 goals, is also included in the lineup.

The Thai national team are anticipated to fly to Hanoi on September 5, ahead of their matches against Russia on September 7 and Vietnam on September 10. Key players such as Chanathip Songkrasin and Theerathon Bunmathan will not play this time.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese players coached by Kim Sang-sik have been training since August 30. The team will have six days to prepare for the two friendly matches. These games are crucial for their preparations for the 2024 ASEAN Football Federation AFF Cup.