Coach Van Thi Thanh believes that Ho Chi Minh City women will continue to create miracles.

Coach Van Thi Thanh believes that the Ho Chi Minh City women's team will continue to create miracles in the AFC Champions League - Photo: Ho Chi Minh City women's club .

Participating in the AFC Champions League for the first time, the Ho Chi Minh City women's team has reached the semi-finals of the tournament. This is not only a historic milestone for this team but also for the entire country's women's football.

Before the semi-final match against the Wuhan Jiangda women's team (China), former national team player and coach Van Thi Thanh praised the journey of the Vietnamese representative, as well as the opportunity in the upcoming match.

“The general level of Vietnamese domestic players is not high compared to Asian teams. But when entering the regional arena, they are forced to add foreign players or overseas Vietnamese players to improve the quality of the squad. This not only brings depth to the squad, but also creates momentum for the Ho Chi Minh City women's team to have impressive victories, typically the comeback in the quarterfinals,” coach Van Thi Thanh told Tri Thuc - Znews .

The Ho Chi Minh City women's team brought 23 players to China, including four foreign players: center back Aubrey Rae Goodwill (USA), striker Sabrina Marie (USA), midfielder Maria Jamila (Pakistan) and midfielder Sakura Yoshida (Japan).

In addition, the team from the city named after Uncle Ho also named two foreign players with Vietnamese blood, including Nguyen Hoang Nam Nam Mi and Aslet Tram Anh Ton That.

According to the former player born in 1985, these additions significantly increased the strength of the Ho Chi Minh City women's team when participating in the continental tournament.

Coach Van Thi Thanh gave many compliments to the Ho Chi Minh City women's team - Photo: FBNV.

Although not highly rated in terms of strength compared to continental opponents, Vietnam's sole representative at the AFC Champions League still makes many people admire its fighting spirit and tenacity in key matches.

Along with experienced players like Huynh Nhu and Thuy Trang, Coach Doan Thi Kim Chi is the difference-maker. She used to be a legend on the pitch, and is now one of the best female coaches in Vietnam. Coach Van Thi Thanh believes that her senior has skillfully balanced youth and experience, physical strength and tactics to create a team that any opponent must be wary of.

“In the 2024 National Championship, the Ho Chi Minh City women's team does not have a very strong squad, but they play with great spirit. They have experience, courage and cohesion, these are the most important factors in a top tournament. Huynh Nhu or Thuy Trang may no longer be physically fit, but coach Kim Chi will come up with suitable tactics. There is no need to attack but must be smart, using the courage and experience of these players to overcome the opponent," said the former player of Phong Phu Ha Nam .

According to coach Van Thi Thanh, utilizing resources from foreign players or players with Vietnamese blood is no longer an option but should be a long-term development strategy. This is an opportunity for teams to increase their competitiveness and improve the quality of domestic women's football.

The quality of the domestic tournament has been improved, so players competing in higher level tournaments will not be overwhelmed but can compete on equal terms with their opponents like the National Women's Championship champion is doing.

Ho Chi Minh City women's team practices in preparation for the semi-final match - Photo: Ho Chi Minh City women's club.

Returning to the upcoming semi-final, the former two-time Vietnamese women's Golden Ball winner commented that despite causing a surprise when defeating Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) in the quarter-finals, the Wuhan Jiangda women's team is still considered an opponent of equal strength for Huynh Nhu and her teammates.

Careful preparation, especially the role of foreign players in countering high balls, will be the key factor. Besides, controlling the tempo and limiting errors will decide the outcome of the match. The HCMC women's team not only carries the hope of a club, but also the expectations of the entire Vietnamese women's football.

“Wuhan Jiangda may have the advantage in terms of physique and playing at home, but looking at their past journey, the Ho Chi Minh City women's team has a very annoying playing style. Their spirit is something that any opponent must be wary of. I believe that coach Kim Chi and her team will once again write a miracle for Vietnamese women's football,” coach Van Thi Thanh emphasized.

The AFC Champions League semi-final is not only a chance to make history for the Ho Chi Minh City women's team, but can also create a lever for Vietnamese women's football to go further. Although they are underdogs, as football history has proven, spirit, courage and reasonable tactics can create miracles. The semi-final match between the Ho Chi Minh City women's team and Wuhan Jiangda will take place at 3:00 p.m. on May 21.

Source: https://znews.vn/hlv-van-thi-thanh-tin-nu-tphcm-tiep-tuc-tao-nen-ky-tich-post1554294.html