Thuy Trang: The 'evergreen tree' of Vietnamese women's football.

At the age of 37, Tran Thi Thuy Trang still made a significant contribution to helping the Vietnamese women's futsal team win 3-1 against Indonesia in their opening match at the SEA Games 33.

Thuy Trang (8) and her teammates celebrate a goal - Photo: GALERI FUTSAL

On the afternoon of December 12th, the Vietnamese women's futsal team defeated Indonesia 3-1 in their opening match of the women's futsal tournament at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.

The absence of captain Trinh Nguyen Thanh Hang due to injury caused the Vietnamese women's futsal team to start poorly, and they were put under considerable pressure by Indonesia in the first half.

In that context, Tran Thi Thuy Trang, the "2024 Vietnamese Golden Ball" winner on the field, shone at the right moment. The 37-year-old woman made a powerful sprint and scored with a diagonal shot in the 24th minute, breaking the deadlock for the Vietnamese women's futsal team.

After scoring the opening goal, the Vietnamese women's futsal team played more freely to take a 3-0 lead, before Indonesia scored to make it 1-3, thus securing an important victory in their opening match.

Amazingly healthy

At Thuy Trang's age, many of her contemporaries have already retired. Even her younger teammate Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung recently announced her retirement at the age of 32, before the Vietnamese women's national team convened for its final training camp in preparation for the 33rd SEA Games.

Thuy Trang receives the "Best Player" award at the 2025 National Women's Football Championship - Photo: VFF

Yet, Thùy Trang continues to tirelessly work on the football field, even competing in futsal as she does now. And she's not just there to complete the team; this girl from Quảng Nam is a key player for the team.

The Ho Chi Minh City women's club will win the 2025 national championship in October, and Thuy Trang also played a significant role in that. The "Best Female Player" award she received is a testament to her contribution to the team.

A month later, Thuy Trang played again in the group stage of the AFC Women's Champions League 2025-2026, and then helped Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club qualify for the quarterfinals.

And now, she's leading her younger teammates past Indonesia, kicking off their journey to conquer their first SEA Games gold medal.

Thuy Trang (left) during the match between Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club and host team Wuhan Jiangda in the AFC Women's Champions League 2024-2025 - Photo: NK

A role model for many young athletes.

In men's football, goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong is still playing at the age of 39 for the First Division club Truong Tuoi Dong Nai . But suggesting Tan Truong switch to playing futsal is probably out of the question, let alone getting a call-up to the national team.

Football and futsal are completely different. And it seems that only Thuy Trang has adapted and played equally well on both. But even she can't explain why she's able to do it.

"I'm lucky because I've been playing futsal since I was a student. Futsal skills are completely different from 11-a-side football, and the mindset is also very different because the playing environment is entirely different. I also find it hard to explain why I can play on two different surfaces like that. In general, it's through hard work and a little bit of luck that I've gotten to where I am today," Thuy Trang shared.

Effort and hard work are the keys to Thuy Trang's success, despite her age. She is also a shining example for many young athletes today, who have better training and competition opportunities but lack the passion and determination she possesses!

The 33rd SEA Games will almost certainly be Thuy Trang's last competition. And it would be wonderful if this petite girl could help the Vietnamese women's futsal team stand on the highest podium for the first time.

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NGUYEN KHOI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thuy-trang-cay-truong-sinh-cua-bong-da-nu-viet-nam-2025121221414296.htm