On July 3, the Vietnamese women's team continued to train at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center ( Hanoi ) before participating in the 2023 World Cup. According to the plan, the whole team will take a flight from Noi Bai airport at 12:35 on July 5, transiting in Singapore before entering New Zealand. Sharing with the press, coach Mai Duc Chung said: "Currently, we have prepared 99% right from the European training trip. When returning to Vietnam, we only strengthen and improve our physical strength, technical tactics, and try to correct some mistakes. At the 2023 World Cup, the team is in a difficult group, it is impossible to say in advance but we must play our best."

The Vietnamese women's team is actively training before leaving for the 2023 World Cup. Photo: VFF

Previously, coach Mai Duc Chung finalized the list of 23 players participating in the 2023 World Cup, and eliminated 5 players: Ha Thi Ngoc Uyen, Doan Thi Ngoc Phuong, Nguyen Thi Truc Huong, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Ngan and Tran Nguyen Bao Chau. The coach born in 1951 explained: “My criteria is to prioritize a position with 2 people replacing each other or a player who can play many positions. I eliminated 5 players not because they are bad, but because their positions overlap. After each training session, someone is always sent back and this time is the same. Of course, I have to encourage them. The World Cup regulations only allow 23 people to be brought along, so we have to have reasonable calculations. I prioritize the striker position. Right now the team only has Huynh Nhu and Pham Hai Yen. If one of the two is injured, there must be a replacement. Therefore, I chose Vu Thi Hoa and Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang.”

In New Zealand, the weather is winter, very different from the current climate in Vietnam. This is a common obstacle that the teams must overcome. Going to New Zealand early will help the Vietnamese women's team have time to adapt to the weather. Coach Mai Duc Chung said: "Before the 32nd SEA Games, we trained in Japan with a cold climate, then returned to Cambodia where the weather was very hot but the players adapted quickly. The coaching staff must have appropriate calculations, arrange training sessions to help the players get into the rhythm quickly. In Vietnam, the weather is very hot, and going to New Zealand soon, the weather is very cold. Obviously, it is a big challenge but it is difficult not only for the Vietnamese women's team".

HOAI PHUONG