SEAG soccer tickets soar on black market

SEAG soccer tickets soar on black market

Agence France-Presse, Hanoi

Ticket prices for Sunday's Southeast Asian Games clash in Hanoi between soccer-mad Vietnam and defending champion Thailand have soared to as much as US$50 on the blackmarket.

The much anticipated Group A clash takes place at the My Dinh National Stadium, a day after the opening match in Ho Chi Minh City between Indonesia and Laos, who also find themselves in the "group of death".

On Wednesday, thousands of Vietnamese flocked to the 40,000- seater stadium on the outskirts of the capital to try and snap up tickets for Sunday's game but most were disappointed.

State-run companies and government officials were given first opportunity to purchase tickets for the football tournament, the highlight of the regional games which officially open on December 5.

Cover prices for the tickets range from $3 to $10 (50,000- 150,000 Dong) but are being sold on the blackmarket for over five times their real value.

Group B will comprise Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Singapore, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the semifinals. The final is due to take place on Dec. 12.

Vietnam is hosting the Southeast Asian Games for the first time. More than 5,700 athletes from 11 countries in the region are due to take part.