Women’s football squad in physical training

After a drilling trip to Tam Dao, a tourist centre in Vinh Phuc province, the team is now at HCM City-based Thanh Long Sports Centre to prepare for the finals of the Asian Cup 2008 in the city from May 28 to June 8.

Chinese coach Chen Yun Fa said the Vietnamese female players have shown their determination and successfully completed exercises organised by the coaching board. The physical strength of the 23 players has clearly improved.

The coach said besides tactical exercises, the team will focus on physical training during its time in HCMCity to be able to face strong rivals at the Asian Cup 2008.

In HCMCity, the national squad will have three friendly matches against U15 HCM City on May 20 and 22 and a HCM City-selected team on May 24.

In the Asian Cup 2008 finals, Vietnam will play in group A with current champion China, North Korea, and Thailand. Vietnam will meet China in the opening match on May 28, then North Korea on May 30 and Thailand on June 1. Group B has Australia, Japan, South Korea andTaiwan.

Coach Chen Yun Fa said he understands Vietnamese fans’ interest in the women’s national squad. It is very difficult to enter the semi-finals but the team will try its best to show its stuff.