Ready to defend the title of SEA Games 33

VHO - Amidst the unpredictable rainy days of Hanoi, the Vietnamese women's team still regularly took to the field, maintaining a high-intensity training rhythm, aiming for the most important goal of the year: defending the 33rd SEA Games championship. The wet weather, sometimes heavy rain and then sunny weather, did not become an obstacle, but was considered by the coaching staff as a real "test" for the adaptability, discipline and competitive spirit of the players.

The women's team is actively practicing. Photo: VFF

The first test of endurance

Sharing in a recent training session, defender Tran Thi Duyen said: “Regrouping right after the National Championship helps the whole team maintain good form and fitness. The two friendly matches with the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club with tall foreign players helped us gain valuable experience when facing opponents with superior physiques. I am very happy to be back in the team and will do my best to be on the list to attend the 33rd SEA Games. Previously, I was called up to the team to prepare for the SEA Games but missed the opportunity due to injury. That is why this time I am even more eager to participate and contribute to the team.”

Young defender Luong Thi Thu Thuong also showed a positive spirit when sharing: “The weather changes constantly, but the team still adapts quite well. The doctors always closely monitor and support us to maintain our physical condition. As a young player, I am fortunate to compete with my seniors in many international tournaments and learn a lot. My goal is to perform well to successfully defend the gold medal with the whole team.”

According to the plan, on November 16, the Vietnamese women's team will move to Viet Tri ( Phu Tho ) to continue training before leaving for Japan on November 20. This is considered a pivotal stage to help the whole team improve their physical strength, technical and tactical skills and coordination in an international environment. It is expected that the team will attend the departure ceremony on December 1 in Ho Chi Minh City before leaving for Thailand to participate in the 33rd SEA Games.

Determined to extend the record

Along with their professional efforts, coach Mai Duc Chung and his team also received timely attention and encouragement from the leaders of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). In a recent meeting, VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu sent his best wishes and affirmed his belief: “The Vietnamese women's team is holding a very proud record with 8 SEA Games championships, including 4 consecutive times. I believe that you will continue to break your own record at the 33rd SEA Games. When you have achievements, worthy rewards will certainly come. Most importantly, compete with the Vietnamese spirit, determination and desire to win.”

Sharing the same spirit, VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan emphasized the long-term orientation in training and investment for women's football. He said that the Federation has built a methodical plan, in which the training trip to Nagoya (Japan) in November is a key step, helping the team improve their physical strength, skills and ability to compete with high-level opponents. "The coaching staff and players need to continue to research and analyze opponents carefully to maximize their strengths. VFF will always accompany and create the best conditions for the team to achieve the set goals at SEA Games 33," President Tran Quoc Tuan emphasized.

According to the draw results, the Vietnamese women's team is in a group consisting of the Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia, opponents who are progressing rapidly. Of these, the Philippines is considered the biggest challenge as it has many naturalized players playing in Europe. Faced with that challenge, President Tran Quoc Tuan asked the entire team to prepare carefully in both tactics and mentality. The team needs to analyze each opponent in detail, understand their strengths and weaknesses to build a reasonable plan. This is not only a journey to defend the title, but also an opportunity to demonstrate the true mettle and level of Vietnamese women's football.

From a professional perspective, coach Mai Duc Chung said the team has completed the first phase of the preparation cycle with positive results. “The players have worked hard to practice, despite the harsh weather conditions. That spirit is the most valuable thing,” he said. Although he highly appreciated the will and attitude of training, he also pointed out areas that need improvement: “The team still needs to improve on passing, moving and communicating on the field. The upcoming SEA Games will certainly be fierce, so every small detail must be standardized.”

The veteran strategist also expressed his confidence in the current generation of players with a combination of rich experience and energetic youth. “They are proof of the systematic investment process of Vietnamese women's football. Every training session, every friendly match, win or lose, is an opportunity for the team to improve itself,” he affirmed.

On the journey towards SEA Games 33, the Vietnamese women's team is showing serious, methodical and determined preparation. In the rainy weather of Hanoi , each training session is a test of will and team spirit. With a solid professional foundation, collective cohesion and a burning desire to win, the Vietnamese women's team is ready to enter SEA Games 33 with the sole goal of defending the title and continuing to write new miracles for Vietnamese football.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/san-sang-bao-ve-ngoi-hau-sea-games-33-180806.html