Goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh (Photo: fifa.com) Vietnam is in a tough group-stage, facing both finalists fromthe previous edition, the USA and the Netherlands, and an exciting Portugalside.
The world football governing body suggested that coach Mai Duc Chung'sstars must be at their optimum levels if his team is to makeits mark in New Zealand.
FIFA first named goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh, who will be30 in September.
"The fact Vietnam is competing at Australia & NewZealand 2023 is in no small part down to Thanh’s sensational form at the 2022AFC Women's Asian Cup," FIFA wrote on its website. "Her athleticismand sharp reflexes caught the eye throughout the tournament and she made moresaves than any other goalkeeper. World Cup qualification ultimately came downto two play-off matches against Thailand and Chinese Taipei – and Thanhproduced faultless performances as Vietnam won both games to secure their placeat the global showpiece."
The keeper also made a good performance at the recent32nd SEA Games in Cambodia and during Vietnam's friendlies against U23 Polandand the national team of Germany.
Midfielder Nguyen Thi BichThuy has been considered one of the national team’s most influentialperformers since making her national team debut as a teenager 10 yearsago.
She was responsible forscoring one of the most significant goals in Vietnamese footballhistory with her winning strike against Chinese Taipei, sealing thenation's maiden qualification for a men's or women's World Cup.
That decisive effortoffered a glimpse of her impressive quality, with Thuy, 29, expertlycontrolling a raking cross field pass before powering home an emphatic finish.
In an interview withFIFA, she revealed her belief that she can hit peak form in July and help Vietnamshine on the game’s greatest stage.
Midfielder Tran Thi ThuyTrang was one of the most experienced players of the team.
The34-year-old brought experience and leadership to the team and wasdescribed by coach Chung as a “role model to our young players”.
"An inspiringfigure in the heat of battle, the midfielder’s tireless work-ethic and fightingspirit is infectious. Faced with elite opposition at Australia & NewZealand 2023, Trang’s composure on the ball will also be key to Vietnamretaining possession and easing pressure," FIFA wrote.
Young and talented,forward Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha would be a player to watch for alldefenders of the US, Portugal and the Netherlands in July.
"Aged 21,Nha is at the forefront of an exciting young generation of Vietnameseplayers. Her direct running and trickery frequently puts opposition defences onthe back foot, and she will go to the World Cup on a high after scoring in thegold-medal match at May's SEA Games. The attacker's fine curling strikesealed a 2-0 Vietnam victory over Myanmar," FIFA reported.
According to FIFA, Nha’sversatility also make her a valuable asset for coach Chung. She wasequally comfortable when operating from either flank or a central role.
Nha scored a stunninggoal that shocked the football ball community against world No 2 Germanyduring their friendly match on June 24.
The last one is the nation's most celebrated forward, Huynh Nhu.
"Fast, skillful and a clinical finisher, Vietnam’s pioneeringstar forward provides the team’s chief attacking threat," FIFA described."Nhu is her country’s all-time record goal scorer – she has netted ata rate of almost a goal per game at the international level – and last yearbecame the first female Vietnamese player to join a professional Europeanclub."
Nhu signed for Portuguese top-flight club Lank Vilaverdenseand in her debut season, scored seven times and had two assists.
The 32-year-old said Vietnam did not come to the World Cup fordefeat and would try hard for positive results. Meanwhile, she also set atarget of scoring World Cup goals./.
VNA
