8 teams to compete in ASEAN Police Football Open 2025 in Vietnam

The ASEAN Police Football (APF) open championship 2025 will take place in Vietnam from July 5 to 15 with the participation of eight teams, including two host teams from Vietnam, five other teams from ASEAN countries, and one guest team from Australia.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Public Security, is being held to mark the 80th anniversary of the People's Public Security Force Traditional Day (August 19, 1945-2025), and the 20th anniversary of the 'All People Safeguard the Fatherland's Security' Festival (August 19, 2005-25).

The tournament will take place at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi and the PVF Football Academy in Hung Yen northern Province.

According to the organizers, the ASEAN Police Football championship is an international friendly sporting event of political and diplomatic significance.

It aims to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and the spirit of sportsmanship among police officers.

The tournament also helps enhance the image and standing of the Vietnam People's Public Security Force while strengthening cooperation, solidarity, friendship, and mutual understanding between police forces of ASEAN member states and partner countries, contributing to the joint effort for peace and stability in the region.

At the same time, the event serves as a platform to promote tourism, culture, identity, and the image of a peaceful, friendly, and hospitable Vietnam to international friends.

“This is the fourth time Vietnam has hosted the tournament,” Colonel Pham Kim Dinh, a member of the organizing committee, said at a press conference announcing the event on Wednesday.

“The previous editions in 1998, 2007, and 2012 were all successfully held and helped promote traditional values and national pride.”

According to Dinh, the participating players, including those from Vietnam, will mostly come from police forces of the respective countries.

Since the national football leagues in the region have just ended and professional players are currently on break, calling them up requires consideration from their clubs.

“Therefore, we are not certain about the involvement of professional players. Our main lineup will likely consist of officers from the public security sector,” he said.

The group draw has been finalized, with eight teams divided into two groups.

Group A consists of Vietnam People's Public Security I, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Group B features Vietnam People's Public Security II, Australia, Singapore, and Timor Leste.

Matches in Group A will be played at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, while Group B games will take place at the PVF Stadium in Hung Yen.

The championship final is scheduled for July 15 at Hang Day Stadium, with the champions receiving a cash prize of US$30,000.

Ngoc Le - Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/07/03-19:05)