There is a 'steel rose' from Nghe An in the midfield of the Vietnamese women's team

In Nghe An, Do Luong district is known as a fertile land for football, where famous Vietnamese football players such as Nguyen Manh, Quang Tinh, Cong Phuong... And Do Luong is also the hometown of a Vietnamese female player - midfielder Thai Thao.

Born in 1995 in Bai Son Commune, Do Luong, Thai Thi Thao is considered a late bloomer compared to her teammates of the same age. However, the student of the Faculty of Coaching, Football K54, Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports has made steady progress in her football career.

From a young player of Hanoi Club, overcoming all difficulties and obstacles, Thai Thi Thao was promoted to the first team to compete in the National Championship since 2014, a result of her relentless efforts. From here, her talent and courage have helped this midfielder gradually become an important factor in Hanoi's playing style.

Thai Thi Thao celebrates the opening goal in the semi-final. Photo: Hai Hoang

As the old bamboo grows, the young bamboo grows. When national team player Nguyen Thi Muon is on the other side of her career slope and gradually withdrawing, the young midfielder from Nghe An is considered a worthy successor as a matter of course. In the eyes of the coaching staff of the capital team, Thai Thi Thao is a very hard-working midfielder with a diligent playing style, capable of covering the center of the midfield.

With a height of only 1m59, weight of 51kg, and being well-trained, this midfielder's advantage is her fiery playing style, fearlessness and touch, the ability to rush forward and launch long shots from outside the penalty area, as well as possessing good basic techniques. Besides, she can also execute direct free kicks very well outside the 16m50 box.

People say that Thai Thi Thao is a “late bloomer” because the national team jersey did not come to her easily. At the 2017 SEA Games, Thai Thi Thao was a futsal player like her teammate Hai Yen. It was not until 2018, when the women's team continued to rejuvenate, that coach Mai Duc Chung called Thai Thi Thao up to the national team, winning the bronze medal at the 2018 Southeast Asian Games.

Vietnam women's team to face Thailand again in the final of SEA Games 30. Photo: Hai Hoang

With her natural talent and determination to pursue her passion to the end, Thai Thi Thao was trusted by coach Mai Duc Chung to play the central midfielder position in the recent AFF Cup 2019 for women. This Hanoi Club player not only played well in the blocking and playmaking roles but also scored a goal in the match against Myanmar.

Having performed impressively and won the AFF Cup 2019 with the women's team, Thai Thi Thao continued to be included in the squad for the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines. Not letting everyone down, the midfielder from Nghe An became a key player in the semi-final against the host Philippines.

Against the home team, Thai Thi Thao spoke up at the right time, the Vietnamese midfielder broke the deadlock with a high-speed attack on the left wing, tapping the ball into the opponent's net in the 60th minute from a pass from Duong Thi Van. This important goal raised the score to 2-0 for the Vietnamese women's team and advanced to the final against Thailand.

Along with the titles she has won such as runner-up of the National Championship 2016, 2016, 2019, champion of the AFF Cup 2019, this goal also marks another step forward in Thai Thi Thao's career. And more importantly, Thai Thi Thao is facing the opportunity to win the first SEA Games gold medal and also the 6th gold medal of the Vietnamese women's team in this playground.

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