Themain reason is that the regional teams such as Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore,the Philippines and Vietnam need time to prepare for the qualifier of the Asianchampionship 2018, which will kick off in early April. Then they will competeat the Southeast Asian Games in four months later.
AFFmembers all agreed that the championship will be scheduled with the same teamsand format with the SEA Games, so it should not be held earlier than August.
Earlier,the tournament is planned for May 26-June 4 in Thailand. Last year Thailand won the title afterbeating Vietnam 6-5 from penalty kicks.
Vietnameseplayers will be summoned in March to prepare for the continental competition.Coach Mai Duc Chung will take his reign. Vietnam are to play on home turf in GroupD with Myanmar, Iran, Singapore and Syria.
Alsoat the February 17 meeting, draws were held for youth tournaments.
Atthe U15 event in Thailand in July, Vietnam are in Group B with Cambodia, EastTimor, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.
Atthe U18 tourney in Myanmar in September, Vietnam are in Group B with Myanmar,Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines and invite New Zealand.
Atthe ASEAN Futsal Championship, Vietnam are in Group B with Thailand, EastTimor, Brunei and Indonesia.-VNA