Vietnam women's football team awarded 36 maces of gold

By Lam Thoa June 28, 2023 | 03:02 am PT

The national women’s football team of Vietnam received VND1 billion (US$42,400) and each player a mace of gold carved with their names as they returned from a Europe training trip.

Vietnam national football team receives VND1 billion and 36 gold maces at the headquarters of Vietnam Football Federation on June 27, 2023. Photo by VFF

Vietnam women's national football team are welcomed at the headquarters of Vietnam Football Federation in Hanoi on June 27, 2023. Photo by VFF

The team received the gifts after coming back to Vietnam on Tuesday, ending their three-week training trip in Europe to prepare for the 2023 World Cup. The team showed good performance during this period, only losing 1-2 to Germany, the second-ranked team in the world.

"Our energy came from our love and pride for the country," said forward Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha who scored in the Germany match on Saturday.

"I was right-footed but finished with my left. It's hard to describe that moment and I'm really happy about it," Nha said of her goal. She scored in the 92nd minute, after she received a through pass, sprinted past the defenders before finishing into the top corner.

The 21-year-old forward said three weeks of training in Europe and playing against world-class opponents like Poland and Germany helped Vietnam improve stamina and confidence, ready to compete in the 2023 Women’s World Cup next month.

Vietnam will train for 10 more days at the Promotion Fund of Vietnamese Football Talent Academy (PVF) in Hanoi. On July 10, they will go to New Zealand to play exhibition matches against the hosts and Spain before playing in the World Cup for the first time in history.

Vietnam will play the defending champions U.S. on July 22, Portugal on the 27th and Netherlands three days later.

"The team are not under any pressure," head coach Mai Duc Chung said. "We will keep a comfortable spirit and play our best in the next games."