The historic journey of the “golden girls” at the 2023 World Cup has inspired the Vietnamese female football players and the whole nation. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
The first-ever World Cup campaign in Vietnamese football history has wrapped up with immense joy, hope, and pride, along with valuable lessons.
Standing on the biggest stage of world football, singing the national anthem while representing their country, competing against formidable opponents they once could only dream of, these “diamond girls” had created miracles that made their fans proud and excited.
Their performance not only contributed to the development of Vietnamese female football but also delivered a strong message of gender equality.
Confidence and courage on global stage
Prior to the 2023 Women’s World Cup Finals, concerns about the stature, physical strength, and experience of the Vietnam Women’s Team were anticipated by experts, especially as they were drawn into a challenging group. Coach Mai Duc Chung and his players faced teams with impressive height, averaging 8-10cm taller than the Vietnamese players.
Physical fitness, as Coach Mai Duc Chung shared, is something that needs to be developed from a young age. It was not surprising that the Vietnamese Women’s Team could not create a miracle in their first-ever World Cup participation.
Despite failing to score a goal and concluding the tournament with three defeats (0-3 against the US team, 0-2 against Portugal, and 0-7 against the Netherlands), fans and experts remain immensely proud of the Vietnamese players and their great attitude and work ethic.
Even in the face of formidable opponents, such as the US Women’s Team, Vietnam’s “golden girls” had displayed confidence and discipline. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Inspiration for Vietnamese football
The historic tournament led by Coach Mai Duc Chung and his team in New Zealand not only elevated the position of Vietnamese football on the international stage but also served as an inspiration within society. It motivates future generations of Vietnamese athletes to pursue their dreams.
Talking about the journey of the Vietnam Women’s Team at the 2023 World Cup, football expert Phan Anh Tu believed that the skepticism of many families reluctant to support their children pursuing professional football are likely to change.
Female players have become a source of pride for families and the entire nation, he said, adding that they serve as role models for the younger generation, encouraging them to strive and fearlessly chase their dreams of becoming professional players in the future.
The achievements of Vietnamese female players serve as a powerful motivation for Vietnamese youth to pursue their dreams of becoming professional athletes. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Football expert Doan Minh Xuong commented that the journey of the “diamond girls” at the 2023 World Cup can help Vietnamese managers expand their vision of developing the women’s football programs for years to come.
“We all clearly recognise the problem of Vietnamese athletes’ losses when entering the international arena in terms of physical strength and fitness.”
He suggested devising long-term strategies and learning from other Asian countries like Japan to start player development and improve the physical strength for football players at an early age./.
