Coach Akira Ijiri and Vietnamese players in a training session. Vietnam host Group B of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup's second qualifier. (Photo of VFF) Vietnam will play Bangladesh in the opening match at the VietnamFootball Federation's Youth Football Centre.
They then face Australia on September 22 and the Philippines twodays later.
Speaking at a press conference on September 19, Vietnam coachAkira Ijiri said his players have prepared really well and hoped to advance tothe final round.
"We are ready for the second qualifications," saidIjiri.
"To us, every rival is the same. We will play our best. Oursenior team played in the 2023 World Cup, so we will play with 100 per cent ofability to maintain our reputation.
"After the World Cup, women's football receives much moreattention from media and supporters which pushes for players to playharder."
The Japanese tactician said Vietnam's target is to play in thefinals and enter top eight so that players would have chance to compete withstrong rivals to sharpen their skills and gain experience competitive football.
Coach Raeanne Dower of Australia was impressed with thehospitality of the hosts. She said Vietnam, the Philippines and Australia hadpositive results at the World Cup which motivated young players to raise theirdream of playing at the world-level tournaments.
Australia respected all teams and referees and set high goal inthe second qualifier.
Because this a was young players' tournament so there was not manyvideos available to analyse teams. But it helped players be focused and showtheir ability.
Coach Sinisha Cohadzic of the Philippines revealed that he calledbest players and they had 20 days training for the tournament.
The coaching board told players the team's tactics and philosophywhich are elements to help his team have food result.
Like Ijiri, Cohadzic also wanted his girls maintain Filipino prideas a 2023 World Cup participant at the Asian tournament.
Coah Mahbubur Rahman Litu of Bangladesh revealed that his teamtrained together for three months ahead of the competition. All three rivalswere stronger than Bangladesh, he thought, but his players will make it acompetitive event with highest score as possible.
His girls lacked international competition experience so this wasa chance for them to learn and play./.
VNA
