A huge challenge for the Vietnam women's national team at SEA Games 33

04/12/2025 10:51:00 PlaymakerHub

Entering SEA Games 33as the reigning champions, the women's national team of Vietnam faces the greatest pressure in nearly a decade. 1 decade. A long streak of top achievements over many years has inadvertently become an invisible pressure: a single mistake will immediately be scrutinized.

The Vietnam women's national team's defense of their title starts with serious losses in personnel. The absence of central midfielder Dương Thị Vân, the "sweeper" Nguyễn Thị Vạn, and defender Chương Thị Kiều due to injuries has caused the team to lose its most experienced core in many recent years.

Nevertheless, coach Mai Đức Chung still relies on veteran players who shone at the 2023 World Cup: Huỳnh Như, Bích Thùy, Kim Thanh, Hải Yến, Thanh Nhã, Hoàng Thị Loan… This generation has demonstrated toughness in the harshest conditions, and their experience is the most valuable asset amid the team's heavy performance pressure. Mr. Chung is likely to continue using a formation with only one center forward (Huỳnh Như or Hải Yến) to ensure maximum balance in the squad.

While Thailand, a very familiar opponent, is placed in the easier group (Group A), the real threat to Vietnam is in Group B. The Philippines, with a well-prepared squad of foreign-born players, have superior physique and strength, fully capable of competing for first place if they perform well. Myanmar, after many years of weakness, has truly returned. Their runner-up finish at the 2025 AFF Cup right in Hải Phòng is a clear warning that they are no longer a team to be underestimated.

Captain Huỳnh Như and the Vietnam team face a major challenge at SEA Games 33. Photo: Minh Dân

Fully aware of the difficulties, the Vietnam women's team had a high-quality training camp in Japan from November 21 to 30. The beneficial friendly matches not only helped the team improve technically but also boosted confidence amid personnel changes due to injuries. Coach Mai Đức Chung highly appreciates the amount of work completed and considers this the most important preparation step for their top goal in Thailand.

Regarding personnel, the team still has a strong and fairly balanced core. Goalkeeper Kim Thanh remains a reliable pillar. The defensive trio Diễm My – Trần Thị Thu – Trần Thị Duyên skillfully combines experience with youth. The fullbacks Thu Thảo – Mỹ Anh are seasoned defenders who coordinate well in offense and defense; Hoàng Thị Loan and Kim Yên are always ready to substitute at a comparable level.

The Vietnamese sports delegation received support ahead of SEA Games 33

The midfield, with Thanh Nhã, Thái Thị Thảo, Ngân Thị Vạn Sự, and Bích Thùy, ensures mobility, especially in quick transitions. Up front, Huỳnh Như and Hải Yến, though no longer young, remain courageous choices; meanwhile, Ngọc Minh Chuyên and Tuyết Ngân Thúy Hằng bring freshness.

From winning four consecutive SEA Games gold medals to competing at the World Cup, the Vietnam women's team has become a proud symbol of the nation's football. Yet, that very glory is turning SEA Games 33 into the toughest challenge in many years.SEA Games 33has become the most difficult test in recent years. The rise of competitors, the pressure to defend the crown, and losses in personnel make this journey very challenging.

However, with the resilience of the golden generation and the ambition of the youth, coach Mai Đức Chung’s team still has solid grounds to believe in a good outcome. If they manage to retain the prestigious gold medal, the Vietnamese girls will truly deserve to be called the golden generation of Vietnam women's football.

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