HCMC to deploy all traffic police to streets for Vietnam-Malaysia AFF Cup semi

They will be backed by criminal police and mobile police forces, as the municipal Traffic Police Department has predicted that thousands of local people will pour into the streets to celebrate after the match.

Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-1 in the first leg in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, so all they need is a draw at home to proceed to the finale, where Thailand, who routed the Philippines 3-0 in Bangkok last night, are waiting for them.

All the police forces will coordinate with one another to stop any possible disruptions, including such dangerous driving acts as speeding, zigzagging and racing throughout the night and the following morning, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Tra, head of the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police Department, told newswire Vnexpress.

From 6:00 pm this evening, reconnaissance forces will visit areas where many teenagers are gathered to inform police leaders to draw up timely plans. The police forces will then adopt measures to record these cases as evidence in case of disruptive acts.

In addition, the criminal police will dress as civilians to mix with the crowds to be able to quickly prevent and suppress any disruptive behavior.

The police will not only patrol the downtown area of the city, but will also spread to the outskirts to prevent any chaos there.

On Tuesday, Hanoi police promised to keep the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup semi second leg under heightened security after a meeting with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the country’s football governing body.

Hanoi police will execute the highest security plan for the game at My Dinh Stadium, officers announced, adding that security will be as tight as when Vietnam played a friendly with English Premier League side Arsenal at the same stadium in July last year.

More than 300 VFF-hired bodyguards will be assisted by 1,000 police officers, while Malaysian supporters will be arranged to sit in the corner of Stand C under the protection of security officers.

Police in the Vietnamese capital said they are waiting for the arrival/exit data of around 1,500 Malaysian fans, plus the hotels they will stay in, to assign security teams to ensure their safety.