Coach Mai Duc Chung: SEA Games 32 is a big challenge for the Vietnamese women's team

On May 2, in Phnom Penh (Cambodia), coach Mai Duc Chung and other coaches in the group had an important press conference before the tournament.

"The Vietnamese team thanks the host Cambodia for the warm welcome. We feel at home. The weather here is quite hot and the whole team is trying to adapt.

Before that, we trained in a place with cool weather like Japan to improve our physical strength and the eating and living conditions there are perfect, helping the players achieve their best physical condition."

Coach Mai Duc Chung at a press conference in Phnom Penh on the morning of May 2, before the opening match at SEA Games 32. Photo: Hai Hoang

Talk about the goal ofVietnam women's teamCoach Mai Duc Chung emphasized: "Every team has a goal. Here, there are 4 coaches representing 4 very strong teams. I think, Southeast Asia is starting to see strong development in women's football. We respect our opponents very much."

Coach Alen Stajcic of the Philippine women's team. Photo: Hai Hoang

Meanwhile, coach Alen Stajcic of the Philippine women's team said: "I think the Vietnamese and Thai women's teams are the top rivals in Southeast Asia. In particular, the Vietnamese women's team is a very different opponent at the 32nd SEA Games, they have strong development. I think the Philippine women's team still has a long way to go to develop."

Coach Soleen Al-Zoubi of the Malaysian women's team. Photo: Hai Hoang

Coach Soleen Al-Zoubi of the Malaysian women's team commented: "I have watched all the matches of the Vietnamese women's team at the Asian Cup as well as the two recent Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying matches against Nepal. I know how strong Vietnam is. I have prepared well so that my players can deal with the Vietnamese women's team.

I am very proud to be the only female coach here. I think this will be an inspiration for other female coaches. The development of women's football is not only in the players, but also in the coaches and referees. Malaysia still has a gap with other competitors. However, having two Southeast Asian teams qualified for the World Cup creates hope for other teams."

Coaches of 4 teams in Group A - SEA Games 32. Photo: Hai Hoang

At the 32nd SEA Games, the Vietnamese women's team is in Group B with the Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia. Group A includes host Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and Laos.

The women's football matches of the 32nd SEA Games will take place from May 2-15 at RSN and Army stadiums. In the opening match, the Vietnamese women's team will face Malaysia at 4pm on May 3./.