Vietnamese young forward Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã. VNA/VNS Photos

Việt Nam are to compete in the historic women's World Cup later this month. Among the 23 players headed to New Zealand, forward Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã is one of the influential players. She has scored important goals for the national team across different competitions, and versatility makes her much valued by coaches. She speaks with Inner Sanctum about her life, dreams and passion.

Inner Sanctum: Can you tell us what brought you to football?

When I was a third grader, I began playing football for fun with friends in the village. My cousin was a football player, and sometimes I went to play with her.

In my village, amateur coach Dương Khắc Kiểm had a football class. He was a dedicated trainer who told me that I could become a professional player.

I failed in my first test for a Hà Nội club but made it the second time. When I was a seventh grader, I left my home in Thường Tín District to the club's centre in neighbouring Hà Đông District and began my life as a footballer.

I first competed in the national championship in 2017 as a member of the Hà Nội 2 Club. Then, I was on a one-year loan contract to Thái Nguyên Club. In 2019, I returned to Hà Nội 1.

My best local achievement was the national silver medal.

In early 2021, I was called to the national team for the first time. My first international tournament was the 2023 World Cup's second qualification in India. Then, I took part in the 2022 Asian Cup and won a berth in the World Cup 2023.

Inner Sanctum: Is anyone in your family an athlete? What difficulties did you face in your first days practising and living away from home?

My family has four siblings, I'm second, but I'm the only one who practises sports.

If I were a good student, I would probably have pursued academic studying, but in the seventh grade, my study results were average, so I decided to go on with football.

My mother and grandmother did not agree because they worried about injuries and me being an ugly girl, but my father said yes. Later on, everybody strongly supported me because they understood my passion. I am so happy that I make them proud of me now.

In the first days at Hà Nội Club, I was quite confused because it was my first time away from my family. I never did my own laundry before, but I had to do it from then on. I cried a lot because of homesickness. But I got familiar with it, and was allowed to go home once or twice a week.

At home, I could practise the way I wanted, but at the club I had to work hard, set my targets and be determined to make it all come true.

Like others, I thought about quitting but a strong will and passion were the reasons for us to try harder, to be more resilient and to follow football, our passion.

Inner Sanctum: Who has been the biggest influence on your career? Who is your idol? Did you ever think that you could be as successful as you are today?

My family is the strongest push for my career. They encourage me, and listen to my thoughts.

When I was small, I liked midfielder Tuyết Dung. Then, I loved forward Hải Yến scoring. And now I prefer my captain Huỳnh Như.

In my first days of training, I just tried to do my best. I looked at senior players' achievements and set my target. I worked hard and when I made it, I tried harder to maintain my results.

Actually, I had never thought of being a national team member and earning such good results.

Forward Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã of Việt Nam (right) seen in the 32nd SEA Games final match between Việt Nam and Myanmar on May 15 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Inner Sanctum: You took part in two SEA Games and won two gold medals. What was the difference between each victory, and which match do you remember the most?

Both times, my teammates and I won the trophy, so it was a special feeling. Winning was what the whole team and I wanted, especially at the 32nd SEA Games victory, as we made history (with the eighth gold).

The final match against Myanmar left the best impression. I scored and contributed a small effort to the team's victory. I was happy about that.

Inner Sanctum: Looking back on your journey, do you think luck was involved? Do you dream of going abroad to compete like captain Huỳnh Như?

In football or in any sport, luck is an indispensable element. But we should know that luck only comes if we try our best, and we respect what we do. My path was that way. I believe to reach success people must work hard and luck only comes to the hard-working ones.

Going abroad to play football is a dream of every player. We want to experience and approach more developed football industries. If I am offered an opportunity, I will accept because I want to know clearly about the quality of football worldwide.

Inner Sanctum: Many people think that football is for men and only men. What is your opinion?

It is not true. As a woman, I have to do my best when choosing football as my career. I have to play well in a club to be called for the national team and receive chances to compete. I have to learn a lot from my seniors during training and competition. I think I have proved that women can bring home victory, and we can be as successful as men.

Inner Sanctum: Earning a berth in the 2023 World Cup is an extraordinary achievement for the Vietnamese women? How will you prepare for the tournament?

We have plans for the first World Cup. We prepare from our physique, nutrition and resting, and we try to keep our mind in the most comfortable mode.

Playing in the World Cup is an honour for any player. So, no matter what the outcome, I am eager to learn a lot from the players in the big teams, and I aim to score in this competition.

After the draw, we know our rivals are the defending champion US, the first runners-up Netherlands, and Portugal. Coach Mai Đức Chung asked us to play with 100 per cent focus. In fact, we are weaker than them in terms of fitness and physique, but we come to the tournament with the determination and bravery of Vietnamese women.

To be able to confront tall, muscular opponents of the US and Netherlands, we will use our ingenuity and versatility to deal with them

Inner Sanctum: Việt Nam lost 2-1 to Germany in a recent friendly. You scored a beautiful goal in that match. Can you tell us about it?

The German players were higher and bigger than us and there was a gap between the two sides. But we did not give up, we tried and played our best.

After conceding an early goal, we were afraid that it would be a big defeat, but surprisingly, all the players did an outstanding job. It was difficult to describe my feeling when scoring. I just wanted to share my happiness with my teammates. Days after that match, we were still living in a dream. It was a great result for all our players. I was honoured to be the scorer. VNS