The joy of women's football
There was a time when Vietnamese football looked at Thai women's football with admiration and desire when they saw them win the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) championship three times in a row. That was the period in the 1980s and 1990s of the last century, when the Hoa Hoc Tro team was established and emerged in grassroots football, not only attracting the development of women's football but also contributing many members to the national team later.
And then, from the admiration and respect for Thai women's football, Vietnamese women's football rose strongly, becoming a rival and surpassing the Thais to affirm the number 1 position in Southeast Asia.
At the recent 32nd SEA Games, Thuy Trang, Huynh Nhu, Hai Yen, Kim Thanh, My Anh, Thanh Nha, Van Su... followed in the footsteps of their seniors and won the Gold Medal. To be more precise, they successfully defended the gold medal around their necks after winning it 1 year ago.
Notably, this victory brought the total number of SEA Games championships for women's football to 8 (3 more than Thailand) and also made history with the fourth consecutive time - something Thai women's football has never done before.
After Thailand won the championship three times in a row in 1985, 1995, 1997, the Vietnamese women's team did the same from 2001 to 2005. And while Thailand only won the championship twice more in the 21st century, the Vietnamese women's team won the championship eight times in the last 10 SEA Games.
Simply saying “joy” does not fully describe what Huynh Nhu and her teammates have achieved. They, despite many difficulties, deserve more honor than that. Coach Mai Duc Chung, who helped the team win the SEA Games 6 times and made history with a ticket to the World Cup that the team will compete in next July, deserves more honor than that.
The golden girls of Vietnamese sports in general, and women's football in particular, have had to make many sacrifices to contribute to the country's sports. They have brought pride to the country and the nation, and they have demonstrated the will and image of resilient, indomitable Vietnamese women who do not yield to any obstacles...
Affirming its position, of course, Vietnamese women's football cannot be complacent and satisfied. There have been signals - both subjective and objective - for women's football to continue to innovate, not to stagnate or have a gap after a generation...
U22 Vietnam's sadness
Generation gap is something that has happened to men's football for many years. And SEA Games 32 once again confirmed that. Even though the U22 team also returned with a medal, it cannot be said that this was a successful SEA Games.
There is a lot of debate about the results and performance of the U22 team in Cambodia. Many people think that the tactics and coaching style of Mr. Philippe Troussier are not suitable to recall the glorious days under Park Hang-seo. However, they also forget that "no flour, no mortar".
The problem lies in the way Vietnamese football treats young players. They do not have their own regular playground to maintain their feelings and develop. They have to wait for the opportunity - very few - to compete in the V.League, but still have to shoulder the goal of defending the Gold Medal.
Ironically, this is happening at a time when there is a lot of pride in the growth of youth development. Training without proper development is a waste.
But the players are not at fault. Coach Troussier is not at fault either. Everyone will have to understand the general context of Vietnamese football at present to see that the transition phase not only requires time but also a change in thinking and action.
The French coach is aiming to change the way this generation of players think about playing football, but overall, the change must also come from the clubs, from the highest level of Vietnamese football. The change must be consistent, not just in a few small parts...
U22 Vietnam returned with an unhappy mood, but that does not mean everything stops here. Just like a successful Congress but cannot be without shortcomings, like Vietnamese sports is the best team but cannot be perfect, the problems of U22 Vietnam are pointed out as the basis to draw lessons for the future.
Mr. Troussier said he was satisfied with the way the players performed, optimistic about their future and the victory over U22 Myanmar to win the Bronze Medal was “the first match for change”. Please give him faith, time and companionship, give the players patience, cheering and encouragement instead of harsh words...
Because as we have seen, when they are comfortable and confident, they can do many things...
laodong.vn
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