Futsal

Trần Thị Thùy Trang (middle) is a rare case of Vietnamese player playing for both national football and futsal teams in history. Photo of VFF

Thanh Hà

Trần Thị Thuỳ Trang looked despondent on the bench as the clock ticked down the final minutes of the match between Việt Nam and the Netherlands at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

As one of the national team's most experienced players, Trang's hope to play on the world’s biggest stage ended when Việt Nam, already eliminated from the tournament, had made all its substitutions in that final group match.

A year after that unhappy moment, the resilient warrior is making her comeback, joining her teammates in pursuit of another World Cup slot. This time, she is expected to lead the national futsal team to the inaugural edition of the Women's Futsal World Cup, scheduled for November 21 to December 7, 2025, in the Philippines.

From World Cup to World Cup

Trang was considered a crucial player in Việt Nam's historic qualification for their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup Finals in 2023. As a midfielder, she was excited to experience the World Cup atmosphere, but instead found herself watching from the bench.

Trần Thị Thùy Trang seen with a picture of herself with compliment words from fans who want to comfort her after having no single second to play at the Women's World Cup 2023. VNS Photo Minh Dân

Not only Trang, but also many experts and supporters, shared in the disappointment, knowing that at age 35, this might have been her last chance to play in a World Cup.

"It was my first and last opportunity to play at the world’s biggest tournament. I really wanted to play, even for just one second, just one minute, to be on the field," Trang said, her voice filled with regret.

“I had no injuries or other problems at all; it was the coaching board’s tactical decision, and I respected it. It was just unfortunate that I was in New Zealand but couldn’t compete. It was really sad."

"However, the World Cup remains a beautiful memory for me and my teammates. I am proud to have been part of Việt Nam's journey to the 2023 World Cup," she added, noting that she plans to pass on her experience to younger players to help their development.

Following the 2023 World Cup, Trang retired from the national team to focus on helping Hồ Chí Minh City 1 FC maintain their top position in the domestic championship and to aim for their first-ever continental title at the AFC Women's Clubs Championship this year.

But her national duty wasn't over yet. Trang has now been called up to join the futsal team for upcoming international competitions, including the 2025 AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup qualification.

Futsal is not new to Trang, who practised the sport before switching to football more than a decade ago.

Trần Thị Thùy Trang seen practising with the national team preparing for international competitions in the next few months. VNS Photo

Although Trang has spent most of her career on the football pitch, she still finds time to train on the futsal court.

If Trang is a football icon with eight national championships, three National Cups, three SEA Games gold medals, and a Silver Ball award in 2022, she is also a futsal giant, with two SEA Games silvers, a Southeast Asian Championship title in 2013, an MVP award at the HCM City Open 2021, and the top scorer title at the national championship this year.

"I wasn’t surprised to be named in the national futsal squad as I had planned to return to the sport," said Trang.

"In 2021, I took part in the HCM City Open and became the best player. That’s when I started thinking about futsal again. But at the same time, I was called to the national football team, so I delayed my return."

Many coaches have said that Trang is a rare talent in Việt Nam, excelling in both sports despite their different rules, techniques, and playing spaces.

Futsal emphasises entertaining, offensive football, with intricate movement, deft tricks, and plenty of goals. A futsal player must be adaptable, playing almost every position on the court.

Trần Thị Thùy Trang and her certificate of Top Scorer at the National Women's Futsal Championship 2024. -- Photo of Thùy Trang

“I’m fortunate that I started playing futsal as a student. The skills required are quite different from football, and the mindset for playing both sports varies, given the contrast between open-air football and indoor futsal. It’s hard to explain how I manage to switch between them, but I just work hard and have had a bit of luck along the way,” Trang said.

'New chapter'

"Being part of the national futsal team again means a lot to me. It’s an honour for any player. Personally, I value every moment on the court and with the team, and I’m grateful to those who’ve given me this opportunity," said Trang, describing this as a "new chapter" in her career.

Trang is one of 20 players selected for the Southeast Asian Futsal Championship next month in Thailand, followed by the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup qualification from January 11 to 19, 2025, in China.

Trần Thị Thùy Trang dreams of playing in the Women's Futsal World Cup in 2025, her second time at the world-level tournament after the Women's World Cup in 2023. VNS Photo Phương Thúy

"It’s been 11 years since I last played with the national futsal team. Everything feels new and unfamiliar — from the teammates to the training and the playing style. The only thing that hasn’t changed is my passion for futsal," Trang said.

"If my teammates and I work hard, we can achieve the best results at the regional championship first, and then at the continental qualification, to secure a place at the World Cup.

"I want to show that age doesn’t matter. I will give my all for the team, just as I did for the football team. No one can stop me from dreaming, and I dream of playing on the world’s biggest stage again — my second World Cup, my pride." VNS