The Finnish and Thai national football teams have agreed to take part in the Agribank Cup 2007 in Vietnam which will be held at My Dinh national stadium in Hanoi from November 1-5, reported the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).
Previously, the Thai Football Federation refused to send its national squad to this tournament, putting organisers of Agribank Cup 2007 in a difficult situation. However, the VFF successfully persuaded its Thai counterpart.
However, as the tournament will be held prior to the 24th SEA Games, it is highly possible that the Thai national team will not include its key players because they have to stay at home to prepare for SEA Games.
Finland is not a stranger in Vietnam after the Olympic Finland team played very well at the Bach Viet Cup in Vietnam last year.
On September 20, the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam (Agribank) signed a contract with VFF to co-organise this tournament for three years, 2007-2009, with a sponsor package of US$300,000. As of 2010, this friendly football tournament will become an annual football event of Vietnam.
