Vietnamese players seen in a practice in Hanoi. They are preparing for the Asian Cup qualification next month in Tajikistan. (Photo courtesy of VFF) The Women’s Asian Cup in India in January-February 2022 is partof qualification for the 2023 World Cup hosted by Australia and NewZealand. The six best teams from the Asian Cup will qualify for the WorldCup.
In FIFA's latest ranking, Vietnam are No 32 in the world and No 6 in Asiabehind Australia, Japan, the DPRK, China and the Republic of Korea.
Without world No 11 DPRK at the Indian tournament, Vietnam will have abetter chance to secure one of the continental slots.
Their first task is winning the qualifier held in Tajikistan inSeptember.
"Results in the Asian Cup qualifier will decide if we can advance tothe final (and then World Cup). We are practising really hard inpreparation for the tournament," said midfielder Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung.
After nearly one-month training in Hanoi, coach Mai Duc Chung saw big changesin his team with the gathering of old and young, veteran and inexperiencedplayers.
"We have focused on improving their physique under new fitness coachCedric Roger. My players have shown positive changes, especially the injuredones," said Chung.
"Dang Thi Mai and Le Thi Thuy Trang are two fresh women of the team. Theyfaced difficulty in the first days with the team but now havecaught up.
"Two veterans Pham Hoang Quynh and Tran Thi Thuy Trang havereturned after months of absence. They are older than the others but stillwork well."
Chung and the team also spent time to watch the Olympic football matches of Australiaand Japan. Australia as a World Cup co-host have already taken a slot at the2023 tournament while Japan will play Vietnam at the coming Asian Cup.
Players who have just cancelled their training camp in Quang Ninh provincebecause of worry about the COVID-19 pandemic will have several tests andfriendly matches with local clubs this month before a short trainingcourse training in the UAE.
"Our plan will be based on what happens with the pandemic. We havealso proposed arriving in the UAE earlier than the previous schedule andarranged friendly matches with teams from West Asia or Europe," said Chung.
At the September 13-25 qualifier, Vietnam are in Group B withhosts Tajikistan, the Maldives and Afghanistan.
"We have not played them in the past and their real strength isunclear to us. Therefore we must have good preparation and focus on everysingle match for the best result," said Dung.
"We target the group's top place to advance to the finals, and will playwell in the Indian event. I am confident that we will have chanceto participate in the World Cup for the first time," said Dungwho missed World Cup chances twice in play-off matches in 2015 and 2019.
The talented midfielder, who banged in two goals from two corner kicks ina match at the 2015 AFF Women’s Championship, wants to realisethe World Cup dream not only for herself but also for coach Chung.
The 71-year-old recently told reporters that though he has grabbed a number of title andmedals from regional and continental with both men's and women's teams andclubs, he now just wishes to enjoy a World Cup once in his career./.
VNA
