Coach Mai Duc Chung wants to reach the semi-finals of ASIAD 19
In 2015, Vietnam under coach Tran Van Phat won 5-0 against Hong Kong and lost 0-5 to North Korea to pass the group stage. After that, the team defeated their favored opponent Thailand 2-1 in the quarterfinals. In the first ASIAD semi-finals, Vietnam lost to Japan 0-3, then lost to South Korea by the same score in the bronze medal match. Until now, that is still the highest milestone of Vietnamese women's football at the ASIAD level.
"I always have faith in the semi-finals this time," Mr. Chung said before the afternoon training session on September 18 at the Vietnam Football Federation VFF. "We promise solidarity and high determination to advance deeply in the tournament."
ASIAD 19 women's soccer includes 16 teams divided into five groups. Teams play in a round robin, selecting the five first-place teams and three second-place teams with the best records to advance to the quarterfinals. Vietnam is in Group D with Nepal, Bangladesh and defending champion Japan.
If they win second place, Vietnam will meet the top team in Group E in the quarterfinals and will likely be strong opponent Korea. If they win the group, the opponent will be the team winning Group C - possibly North Korea or second place in Group E with the competition between the Philippines and Myanmar.
Coach Mai Duc Chung assessed that Japan sent a young team that was still more qualified than Vietnam. He also respects and is not subjective towards Nepal and Bangladesh even though the two opponents are rated much lower.
Vietnam attends ASIAD 19 with 22 players, of which 17 have attended the 2023 Women's World Cup. The team also only has Pham Hai Yen, Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang, Thai Thi Thao, Tran Thi Kim Thanh and Khong Thi Hang who attended ASIAD 18. with the achievement of reaching the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Huynh Nhu was absent because Lank FC did not release players, while Tran Thi Thuy Trang retired from the team, and Chuong Thi Kieu was not in good form after her injury.
"The absence of Huynh Nhu is unfortunate, but it cannot be helped because he is busy playing for foreign clubs," Mr. Chung said. "Hopefully the young players will try their best to promote their advantages to replace their seniors."
