Vietnam women's team's opponent brings 2 'teenage' players to SEA Games 33

The Malaysian women's team, the first opponent of coach Mai Duc Chung and his team, brought to the 33rd SEA Games a squad of 15 U.23 players, including 2 new players aged 15 and 16.

Golden opportunity for Vietnam women's team at SEA Games 33

The Malaysian women's team brought a very young squad to the 33rd SEA Games. According to statistics, there are 15 players under 23 years old, the youngest of which are Nurlaila Syam Rahim (15 years old) and Tegen Su Yin Butler (16 years old). In addition, there is 1 player aged 18, 3 players aged 19, 3 players aged 21, 2 players aged 22 and 4 players aged 23.

Accordingly, the Malaysian women's team is one of the two youngest teams at the 33rd SEA Games along with Indonesia. Of the 8 players over 23 years old, only 3 are over 30 years old, especially the "oldest" player at the 33rd SEA Games, captain Steffi Sarge Kaur Sergeant Singh, 37 years old. Leading the team is Brazilian coach Joel Cornelli, 58 years old, who was just appointed in May 2025.

The two youngest players of the Malaysian women's team are only 15 and 16 years old.

PHOTO: SEA GAMES 33

Captain of the Malaysian women's team, 37 years old, one of the three oldest players in the tournament

SEA GAMES 33

In preparation for the 33rd SEA Games, the Malaysian women's team played 4 friendly matches with 1 win and 3 losses. The only win was against Bangladesh girls 1-0, the remaining loss was against Azerbaijan 0-2 and lost to Hong Kong women's 2 matches with scores of 2-3 and 0-5. According to the assessment of the AFC.com website, under the leadership of the South American coach, the Malaysian women's team has recently improved significantly in technique and increased endurance and strength. The way of playing has also improved, with more coherent coordination. However, to be able to compete for a high position, strong enough to join the ranks of strong women's teams in the region such as Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar or Vietnam is still very difficult.

Brazilian coach (right) of the Malaysian women's team

PHOTO: AFC

With the young squad of the Malaysian women's team, it will be an opportunity for the Vietnamese women's team to score points in the match at 6:30 pm tomorrow, December 5. In many SEA Games, we have not had much difficulty in defeating them. The most recent time was at the 32nd SEA Games, when the Vietnamese women beat Malaysia 3-0. This is also considered the easiest opponent for Coach Mai Duc Chung's students.

See Myanmar and Philippines legs

Coach Mai Duc Chung assessed that every match in Group B is very crucial.

PHOTO: KHA HOA

The remaining match in Group B between Myanmar and the Philippines will take place at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the National University of Thailand (Chonburi). This is a football field located about 20 km north of the main field. Myanmar and the Philippines are the two toughest opponents that coach Mai Duc Chung and his team have to face. Remember at the 32nd SEA Games, although the Vietnamese girls beat Myanmar 3-1, they lost to the Philippines 1-2, so they only reached the semi-finals thanks to a better goal difference. Mentioning this again is to see that the Vietnamese women's team needs to be cautious with both of these opponents, especially the Philippines with many naturalized bloodlines. Meanwhile, Myanmar recently won the runner-up position at the Southeast Asian Championship in Hai Phong .

Vietnam women's team must drink a lot of water when practicing in the hot weather

PHOTO: KHA HOA

Before entering the training session at San Suk Stadium tonight, Coach Mai Duc Chung said he will send his assistant to watch the two teams. "General" Chung affirmed that all three group stage matches at SEA Games 33 are like three final matches. Mr. Chung said: "The Philippines and Myanmar are two important opponents and also our biggest challenge. Even Malaysia, although in theory we have the upper hand, must be careful. In football, nothing can be predicted. The Vietnamese women's team must strive to overcome each match."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-thu-cua-doi-tuyen-nu-viet-nam-mang-2-cau-thu-tuoi-teen-den-sea-games-33-185251204124541357.htm