Coach Mai Duc Chung: The match with Werder Bremen is a valuable learning opportunity for the Vietnamese women's team

On May 15, the press conference before the friendly match between the Vietnamese women's team and Werder Bremen Women's Club (Germany) took place with the participation of head coach Mai Duc Chung and captain Pham Hai Yen.

Evaluating the match, coach Mai Duc Chung said: "This is a very positive match for the Vietnamese women's team. Through it, we have the opportunity to learn more about expertise from a European team. Previously, the team also went to Germany to train and compete, thereby helping the players broaden their horizons and improve their competition experience."

Regarding the match's goal, Mr. Chung emphasized: "We consider this an opportunity to learn. The team has only been together for a week so they are not yet well prepared. However, the whole team will compete with a serious international friendly spirit and high determination."

Evaluating the opponent and the team's strength, coach Mai Duc Chung shared: "Werder Bremen Club has outstanding physique and physical strength - a typical advantage of European teams. Meanwhile, Vietnamese female players are still limited in height and strength, so we have to make efforts to overcome that.

They are currently ranked 7th in the German national championship, which is worth learning from. The team is currently in the process of rejuvenation, with many young faces, but is missing a few U19 players as well as some players from Ho Chi Minh City due to not being able to fully concentrate. However, the whole team will compete with a positive spirit."

Regarding giving opportunities to young players, he added: "Some young players have just been promoted to the national team so they still have difficulty getting used to the team's tempo and style of play. I try to arrange a harmonious lineup between experienced players and new faces so that they have time to adapt."

Preparing for the SEA Games, coach Mai Duc Chung affirmed: "In football, it is impossible to predict how many young players will be retained. It all depends on the efforts and performance of each individual to win a position in the main squad."

Captain Pham Hai Yen also expressed her hope: "I hope that after this match, the whole team will learn more competition experience from Werder Bremen Club."

Also at the press conference of the head coach of Werder Bremen Club (Germany), Mr. Thomas Horsch said: “We are very proud to be in Hanoi, representing German football to play a friendly match with the Vietnamese women's team. Werder Bremen Club just finished the Bundesliga season last Sunday. Although the weather in Vietnam is very different from the hot and humid Germany, we are very excited and have prepared the best for tomorrow's match.”

The German strategist also shared his feelings about the opponent: “I don’t know much about the Vietnamese team, but I watched the team play a friendly match with Leipzig Club in Germany. This is a good opportunity for us to face a quality opponent, because Vietnam has participated in the World Cup and played a friendly match with the German women’s team. Therefore, I brought a strong squad.”

Speaking about Bremen's current squad, coach Horsch affirmed: "We have a strong and balanced team. Last season, the players scored many goals, especially in the early stages of the season. They have good tactical awareness, follow clear tactics, and I hope that will be shown in the next match."

Also attending the press conference, midfielder Ricarda Walkling also expressed his excitement: “I am very proud to be participating in this match. The weather in Vietnam is hot and humid, but for professional players like us, adapting to the situation is important to have a good match.”

She also highly appreciated the Vietnamese women's team: "To be honest, I don't know the specific names of any Vietnamese players. But I watched you play against the German women's team two years ago and was very impressed. It's a well-organized, well-balanced team. However, at this time, I want to focus on Bremen's preparation. Hopefully, the match will have many spectators coming to the stadium to cheer."

Sharing more about her career journey, Wakling said: “I grew up at the Bayern Munich academy, then moved to the US to play – a very good decision. After my time in the US, I returned to play for Bremen. Honestly, women's football currently does not have a high income, but the important thing is to accumulate playing experience and develop yourself. I think Vietnamese female players should consider finding opportunities to go to the US, it is a very good environment to mature and become more independent.”

Hai Hoang