Vietnam’s woman team rewarded VND 1.5 billion for SEA Games semis berth

Coach Mai Duc Chung’s side have been rewarded VND1.5 billion for their excellent performance at the 2019 SEA Games women’s football tournament in the Philippines.

Vietnam are the first team in Group B to have booked a place at the semis of the women’s football tournament in SEA Games 2019. (Photo: VNE/Duc Dong)
Vietnam are the first team in Group B to have booked a place at the semis of the women’s football tournament in SEA Games 2019. (Photo: VNE/Duc Dong)

>>> SEA Games: Vietnam qualify for women’s football semifinals

Reigning champions Vietnam earned their first win in the tournament after beating Indonesian 6-0 in their second Group B match on Friday afternoon (Nov. 29), thereby becoming the first side to book a berth in the semi-finals.

Thanks to their excellent performance, overcoming a range of difficulties in the Philippines, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) immediately announced the reward of VND500 million for the national women's team. In addition, the chef de mission of the team cum Head of the VFF Women's Football Committee Pham Thanh Hung personally awarded a total of VND1 billion for the team, comprised of VND500 million for the 1-1 draw with Thailand in their opener and VND500 million for the latest victory over Indonesia.

Thus, striker Huynh Nhu and her teammates have received a total reward of VND1.5 billion for reaching the semi-finals. VFF's timely move has helped in exciting the female players while they wait for their next opponents in the semis. Chung’s side are likely to face hosts Philippines or Myanmar in Group A.

After the 6-0 win over Indonesia, Chung received information that Vietnamese fans in the Philippines presented 100 kg of fruit to his team. On behalf of his team, the 68-year-old coach expressed his sincere thanks to the fans and Vietnamese expatriates in the Philippines for supporting the team. He said that the whole team was very touched in receiving the encouragement and attention of the Vietnamese fans who were present at Binan Football Stadium yesterday afternoon.

Coach Mai Duc Chung during the match against Indonesia on Friday. (Photo: VFF)

“The affection of overseas Vietnamese is very valuable, as a lot of Vietnamese living in the Philippines have been coming here to cheer on our players and giving them gifts and food. On behalf of the whole team, I would like to give thanks for the wholehearted support of the fans and Vietnamese expatriates who are always cheering our female players,” Chung said in a post-match press brief.

Commenting on the opponents in the semi-finals, the Hanoian coach said: “The Philippines and Myanmar are the two teams we have met in the 2019 AFF Women's Championship last August. They are quite familiar to us and we understand them very well. We are also determined to solve each match. For the semi-finals, both of these teams are worthy rivals, and we don't know which one we will meet. We are ready to play any opponents."

Previously, the Vietnamese women's team tied 1-1 with their Thai rivals in the opening match. They finished two group stage matches with four points. Thailand and Indonesia will battle in the last match on December 2 to decide only remaining semis ticket. Vietnam will have six days off to prepare for the semi-finals which will take place on December 5.

Also, on Friday evening, hosts Philippines booked the second place in the semi-finals after thrashing Malaysia 5-0. The Philippines were held to a goalless draw by Myanmar in their opening match in Group A on November 26. Myanmar will face Malaysia in the final match of Group A on December 2, with the former only needing to avoid defeat to progress. Thailand will also be in the same situation when facing Indonesia to advance in Group B, on the same day. The top two teams in both three-team groups will go through to the semis, set for December 5.