Vietnam pitches to co-host 2004 Cup

Vietnam pitches to co-host 2004 Cup

HANOI: Soccer-mad Vietnam said Thursday it has formally notified the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) of its desire to co- host the 2004 Tiger Cup with Cambodia.

Doan Thanh Lam, head of administrative affairs at the Vietnam Football Federation, said it would be the perfect partner for its neighbor, which was selected four years ago to host the biennial tournament.

"Not only are we near Cambodia geographically, but Vietnam is politically stable and free from terrorist threats," he said. "We would also attract huge crowds because Vietnamese are crazy about football."

Malaysia and Myanmar have also both applied to host Southeast Asia's premier tournament. The AFF is expected to make a decision during its next council meeting in Bangkok at the end of March. --AFP-