A good start leads to a good finish.

VHO - The Vietnamese women's football team will begin their journey at the SEA Games 33 with their opening match in Group B against the Malaysian women's team at 6:30 PM this afternoon, December 5th.

The Vietnamese women's team is ready for their journey to defend their SEA Games 33 gold medal.

Winning helps build positive momentum.

At every SEA Games or any tournament, the opening match always plays a crucial role, as it directly affects the morale and confidence of the entire team.

For the Vietnamese women's team (owners of 8 gold medals, including winning the last 4 consecutive Games), a victory against Malaysia would be a strong affirmation of their ambition to continue dominating the regional arena.

In preparation for the 33rd SEA Games, the Vietnamese women's national team underwent rigorous training, focusing on strengthening their defense and improving their ability to transition between attacking and defensive phases. The fact that some key players are nearing the end of their careers has forced the coaching staff to boldly rejuvenate the squad, giving opportunities to many new faces.

Nevertheless, the extensive experience of veterans like Hai Yen, Huynh Nhu, Bich Thuy, and Kim Thanh… remains a crucial foundation that helps the team maintain stability.

Coach Mai Duc Chung also demonstrated his ability to flexibly switch between tactical formations, aiming to surprise opponents who play defensively, such as Malaysia.

Malaysia is no unfamiliar opponent. For many years, the Vietnamese women's football team has consistently held a clear advantage when facing them. However, there is no room for complacency in football.

Malaysia is undergoing positive changes in terms of squad and playing style, and is considered to be physically strong, ready to fiercely compete to disrupt their opponents' game. Although not rated as highly as Vietnam, the Malaysian women's team is showing great determination at this year's Games.

Therefore, Vietnamese players need to maintain absolute concentration and avoid individual mistakes that could lead to dangerous counter-attacks. In the attacking line, Vietnamese strikers need to improve their ability to capitalize on opportunities, a factor that has caused the team difficulties in some recent friendly matches.

Securing three points, or even a resounding victory, is crucial as we face two consecutive matches against the Philippines and Myanmar, direct competitors in this group.

With thorough preparation, determination, and a burning desire to win, the Vietnamese women's team is approaching the match against Malaysia with seriousness and the necessary confidence. A victory would not only bring 3 points, but also be a strong statement that "The Diamond Girls" remain the strongest contender for the SEA Games gold medal this year.

Transform pressure into motivation.

"Winning a championship is difficult, but defending it is even harder," because once you become a champion, every match and every opponent is approached with the greatest determination.

For the Vietnamese women's national team, this is truer than ever. After successful SEA Games campaigns, regional rivals such as Thailand, Myanmar, and the Philippines are investing heavily and are very determined, especially the host nation Thailand.

Therefore, coach Mai Duc Chung and his team entered the SEA Games 33 under considerable pressure. Pressure stemmed from the expectations of the fans, the responsibility of maintaining the position of Vietnamese women's football, and the glorious history that the team had built.

But above all, the Vietnamese women's team understands that pressure is an inevitable part of the journey to the top. And more than anyone else, Huynh Nhu and her teammates are all too familiar with playing under such high expectations.

One of the greatest strengths of Vietnamese women's football over the years has been its courageous fighting spirit and never-give-up attitude. Under the guidance of coach Mai Duc Chung, the players have always been instilled with a fighting spirit, transforming pressure into motivation to strive for success. The 33rd SEA Games was no exception.

The young players are gradually maturing after numerous international tournaments, while the experienced veterans maintain their leadership roles. Together, they form a strong team, ready to overcome any challenge and strive towards the highest goal.

During training sessions, a serious and determined atmosphere is always present. The coaching staff constantly reminds the players to maintain a relaxed attitude and not let pressure become a barrier.

The 33rd SEA Games will be a major challenge, but also an opportunity for the Vietnamese women's team to prove that their position is not due to luck, but rather the result of perseverance, determination, and a burning desire to win.

With their traditional fighting spirit and proven prowess demonstrated in numerous tournaments, the golden girls are ready to embark on their journey to defend their title. The pressure is immense, but the motivation is even greater, and that is the belief that keeps fans placing their full hopes in the Vietnamese girls at the SEA Games 33.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/dau-xuoi-duoi-lot-185873.html