Vietnam women’s football team prepare for the 2022 Asian Cup

The Vietnam women’s football team have departed to Spain for a training course in preparation for the final round of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, scheduled to be take place in India from January 20 to February 6. Though many young faces have been called up to the national squad, coach Mai Duc Chung is still confident in the experience of the players.

Thanh Nha claim a 3-0 victory for the Vietnam women's football team in a friendly match against Pozoalbense. (Photo: VFF)
Thanh Nha claim a 3-0 victory for the Vietnam women's football team in a friendly match against Pozoalbense. (Photo: VFF)

Before the training trip in Spain, coach Mai Duc Chung have called up several young players who have shown their ability in the national championship in 2021. He finalised the list of 23 official players and had to leave behind five players, namely Hoang Thi Loan, Dao Thi Kieu Oanh, Nguyen Thi Lieu, Tran Thi Hai Linh and Nguyen Thi Truc Huong.

Specifically, Hoang Thi Loan and Nguyen Thi Lieu did not recover from their injuries in time. According to coach Mai Duc Chung, young players cannot completely replace senior players. They all have good potential, fitness, and speed, but more time is needed to test their ability.

Calling up young players to the national team will help them have more conditions to practice, get acquainted with the team towards the 31st SEA Games as well as also prepare for a longer plan, thus creating the next generation for the future, he noted.

In the list of 23 official players who are being trained in Spain and will attend the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, there are three goalkeepers: Khong Thi Hang, Tran Thi Kim Thanh, Lai Thi Tuyet; eight defenders: Pham Thi Tuoi, Chuong Thi Kieu, Tran Thi Phuong Thao, Tran Thi Thu, Nguyen Thi My Anh, Tran Thi Duyen, Le Thi Diem My, Luong Thi Thu Thuong; nine midfielders: Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung, Pham Hoang Quynh, Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Tran Thi Thuy Trang, Thai Thi Thao, Ngan Thi Van Su, Nguyen Thi Van, Duong Thi Van, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha; and three strikers: Huynh Nhu, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Ngan, Pham Hai Yen.

These players are in the best of form as well as in line with the tactical intentions and calculations of coach Mai Duc Chung as well as the coaching staff.

Previously, the Vietnam women's football team spent four weeks training with three friendly matches, mainly to practice physical and tactical skills at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Centre in Hanoi. This process has helped the coaching staff perfect the squad and make adjustments to training intensity and tactical coordination.

In Spain, the Vietnam women’s team played four friendly matches against the women’s teams from the first and second division of the host country. Coach Mai Duc Chung’s students met Pozoalbense and La Solana, two teams in the Spain’s second division, in the past few days with the result of winning 3-0 and drawing 0-0, respectively.

These are considered quality matches and considered the final test for the coaching staff to better assess the performance of the players, thereby stabilising the squad and strategy before participating in the official tournament. The team was trained in Spain with additional exercises, and at the same time had the opportunity to gain experience in international competitions before departing for India.

At the upcoming final round of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the Vietnamese team lies in Group C, a difficult group with very strong opponents, including Japan and the Republic of Korea. According to coach Mai Duc Chung, facing strong teams of the continent, he needs players with a lot of experience. That's why this time he called up players with good experience in international competition.

After the success in the qualifying round, the Vietnam women’s football team needs to maintain confidence against strong opponents. The opportunity is still divided equally among the teams in Group C of the final round of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Translated by NDO