News » Headlines
Coveted FA Cup set to be showcased in Vietnam
  • | VNS | March 18, 2011 12:34 PM

The world famous FA Cup will go on display in Hanoi and Ho Chi MInh City from March 25-31, following an agreement signed on January 29 by the Football Association of England and the Vietnam Football Federation.

Liverpool\'s captain Steven Gerrard lifts the FA Cup.

The tour will be a chance for Vietnamese fans to hold the Cup, the most famous and oldest domestic trophy in the world.

Fans will also get the chance to meet former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Steve McManaman and Chelsea\'s Ashley Cole.

During the exhibition, artistic and cultural activities will be also organised showing the most memorable games, most spectacular goals and unforgettable moments of the FA Premier League\'s top four teams – Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

The first FA Cup was held in the 1871-72 season and after 140 years, as many as 759 British football teams have participated in it.

In 2003, Vietnamese fans welcomed former English football captain David Beckham in a demonstration at Ho Chi Minh City\'s Military Zone 7 Stadium during his promotional tour of Asia.

In 2007, the English Premier League\'s Arsenal and the Vietnamese League\'s Hoang Anh Gia Lai signed a deal to open an international standard training centre – the Arsenal-HA-GL JMG Football Academy in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai.

In 2009, a six-day Premier Skills programme was organised by the British Council and the Premiership to establish a sustainable programme of community development through football.

Two years ago, ex-stars of Manchester United and Livepool including Andy Cole, Vivian Anderson, Tommy Mooney and Swedish Jesper Blomqvist, Clayton Blackmore, Jason McAteer, John Barnes, Don Hutchison and Steve McManaman played friendly matches in Hanoi.

Leave your comment on this story