Vietnam head coach Mai Duc Chung on March 2 announced his final squad for the first leg of the 2020 AFC women’s Olympic qualifying play-off against Australia, scheduled to take place in four days’ time.
The Vietnamese players during a training session. (Photo: VFF)
Accordingly, the 69-year-old tactician decided to eliminate three players from the trip to Newcastle, namely goalkeeper Lai Thi Tuyet (Phong Phu Ha Nam), midfielder Bui Thi Trang (Hanoi FC) and midfielder Tran Thi Thu Thao (Ho Chi Minh City 1).
"Lai Thi Tuyet suffered an injury after a friendly game with Hanoi U15s on February 27, which made it impossible for her to join her teammates in going to Australia. Meanwhile, other young players have been called up to be familiarised with the training intensity in the national team, aimed at preparing forces for the future,” Chung explained.
"I will continue summoning young players in the next gatherings so that they will be familiar with the national squad’s playstyle and become the successive generation,” he added.
In addition to the unexpected absence of centre back Chuong Thi Kieu (ligament damage), the Vietnamese line-up has been carefully researched and calculated by Chung and his assistants to find the best possible replacements.
Young forward Pham Hai Yen continues to be entrusted with the highest position of the line-up, together with veteran striker Huynh Nhu, who is expected to create surprises for the opponents.
"In the face of heavyweights Australia, Vietnam must play solidly in their own half and need to tap into the attacking situations from the two flanks, as well as maximise the created opportunities,” Chung said.
As planned, the Vietnamese team departed for Australia this afternoon, where they will stay at Holidays Inn Express Newcastle Hotel in Sydney.
Chung’s side will play their first leg away at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, New South Wales, on March 6. They will play hosts for the second leg, which is set to take place at Cam Pha Stadium, in Cam Pha City, Quang Ninh Province, five days later.
The winning team of the play-off round will officially book their place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics this summer.
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