Vietnam’s female footballers get FIFA support ahead of World Cup finals
The Vietnamese women’s football team have been receiving assistance from a physical strength and nutrition expert sent by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) during their training in Germany.
The expert, Dr Ellena Tuner, is accompanying the team during their stay there from June 13 to 17.
This is part of the FIFA support for the teams competing at the coming Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.
On June 14, Tuner met with the Vietnamese players to share information and discuss health and nutrition issues, including preparation for them to quickly adapt to different climate conditions in the World Cup venues.
Appreciating the help from Tuner, head coach Mai Duc Chung said as this is the first time Vietnam have participated in a FIFA Women’s World Cup final round, the assistance from the FIFA expert is useful for the players during their preparation.
Chung is expected to announce the official squad for the finals on July 9.
At the coming World Cup finals, the Vietnamese team will face the US – the defending champion - on July 22, Portugal on July 27, and the Netherlands – the runners-up of the previous tournament - on August 1. All these matches will take place in New Zealand.
On July 15, the British football magazine FourFourTwo posted an article about the Vietnamese women’s team.
The writing said the Vietnam Women’s World Cup 2023 squad is set to be named this summer as the nation embarks on a first-ever appearance at the tournament.
“It would be fair to label the Golden Star Women Warriors as outsiders – but then few teams are going into the tournament in form as encouraging. Vietnam's women's side won the gold medal for football at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and have won both their AFC Olympic Qualifiers this calendar year, buoying them ahead of the World Cup Down Under.”
FourFourTwo predicted that their maiden World Cup match will a baptism of fire as they take on the holders, the US, before former European champions Netherlands await in their last group game. Some are expecting cricket scores: scoring against either would be a shock.
Meanwhile, Vietnam will play Portugal in their best chance of getting a result, and talismanic captain Huynh Nhu may have the advantage of knowing a few of the opposition. She represents minnows Lank Vilaverdense of Portugal at club level as the only Vietnam player plying their trade outside of the country.
“With a blend of youth and experience in this side, however, the Southeast Asian side will be hoping to put in a solid showing and perhaps buck expectation,” according to the article.