Football

The women players in a practise in Hà Nội preparing for the 2024 Olympics qualification. Photos of VFF

HÀ NỘI — The national squad of women's football will have their best players moving to Nepal for the first Paris Olympics qualification in April.

Coach Mai Đức Chung gathered 31 players to train for three weeks. All key members who won the 31st SEA Games title and the regional championship trophy are on the list. Some new young faces such as goalkeeper Đoàn Thị Ngọc Phượng, midfielders Hà Thị Ngọc Uyên, and Ngô Thị Hồng Nhung and striker Vũ Thị Hoa are summoned for the first time.

“I am happy to be allowed to play for the national team this tournament. Lank Vilaverdense FC has given me an opportunity to serve the team," said Như.

"It is my pride to wear the national jersey and give my best for the team. I have been in Portugal for not long but with what I have learnt I hope to help my coaches and teammates in tactics and team organising activities. I promised to bring home the highest results in this qualification.”

Captain Nguyễn Thị Thuỳ Trang (right) of the national women's football team runs the ball away from a defender of a team of former national players during a friendly match on March 30.

Coach Chung also reported to the VFF managers results of the team after three weeks.

"We have prepared different fields focusing on our physical strength. After three weeks, all of us are ready to play Nepal and will bring wins home," he said.

The team will leave for Nepal on April 2 and will meet with golden girl Huỳnh Như, who is playing in the Portuguese league. Như will fly from Portugal to join the team.

They will have two matches with the host in Group C on April 5 and April 8 in Kathmandu. There are only two teams in this group after Afghanistan and Palestine withdrew without specific reasons.

The winner will advance to the second qualifier. VNS