Women's team head coach eyes SEA Games title hat trick

By Duc Dong   May 18, 2022 | 05:29 pm PT
Women's team head coach eyes SEA Games title hat trick
Coach Mai Duc Chung on the sideline during the SEA Games 31 semifinal of women's football between Vietnam and Myanmar in Cam Pha Stadium, Quang Ninh, on May 18, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong
With the Vietnamese women's team entering the SEA Games football final on Wednesday, coach Mai Duc Chung is determined to win a third consecutive gold medal.

"I really want it, but we still have 90 minutes to play to achieve our target," he said after the semifinal against Myanmar in the northern Quang Ninh Province on Wednesday.

"Right now we are focused on recovering for the final against Thailand."

Chung is Vietnam's most decorated women's football coach ever. He has won the SEA Games title four times with the team, including the last two in 2017 and 2019.

With vocal support from nearly 20,000 home fans in Cam Pha Stadium, Vietnam completely dominated the semifinal. But they could score only once from captain Huynh Nhu's header.

"My players played with great spirit but there are some areas that need to be improved in terms of tactics and coordination.

"Both teams were strong, but Vietnam were better in possession and had more shots at goal."

There has been criticism that Vietnam are too dependent on overage players, but Chung disagreed.

"It is unfair to say that. A team must be balanced. If there are only veterans, they will run out of stamina quickly. If we only have young players, then we won't have experience. We have to have balance, and that's our intention."

Chung also showed appreciation for the fans who lined up from 3 a.m. to buy tickets for the game, saying it encouraged the players to fight.

Vietnam will play the final in Cam Pha on Saturday.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam 1-0 Myanmar

 
 
go to top