Women’s national team resumes training to prepare for SEA Games 31

After edging past Chinese Taipei 2-1 to clinch Vietnam’s historic berth in the FIFA Women’s World Cup on February 6, coach Mai Duc Chung’s side had over a month off and all team members are in stable health conditions.

On the morning of March 27, the 31 players arrived at La Thanh Hotel for check-in procedures and medical check-ups before moving to the training pitch.

The first training session took place in an exciting atmosphere with favourable cool weather. All members urgently got down to training exercises with high levels of concentration, optimism and solidarity.

As part of preparations for the immediate goal, SEA Games 31, the national team will spend two weeks training at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Centre.

Head coach Mai Duc Chung speaks to the players ahead of their training session on March 27 afternoon. (Photo: VFF)

From April 6, at the invitation of the Korea Football Association, Mai Duc Chung’s troops will leave for overseas training in the Republic of Korea and play two friendly matches against the host country’s national team.

In addition, the Vietnamese side will have three more friendlies against three leading Korean women’s clubs.

They are expected to return home on April 21 and continue training in Cam Pha City, Quang Ninh Province to make the final preparations ahead of the SEA Games 31 campaign.

The grouping of teams for SEA Games 31 is set to take place in Hanoi on April 6. Vietnam and Thailand have been seeded in Pot 1 for the women’s football draw, while Pot 2 includes the Philippines and Myanmar. Pot 3 consists of Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore and Laos.

The eight participants will be placed in two groups of four, with Group A matches playing at Cam Pha Stadium (Quang Ninh Province) and Group B games to take place at PVF Stadium (Hung Yen Province).

The players in action during the training session. (Photo: VFF)