Coach Mai Duc Chung and his players are welcomed home after winning the AFF Women's Championship on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyet

Fans are hoping their triumph will provide a strong push for the team in their quest to defend their title at the 30th Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines later this year.

“The team played a good tournament, especially the final match against Thailand," said Tran Duc Phan, deputy head of the National Sports Administration.

"It was a dramatic and attractive game until the last seconds.

“I appreciated the team’s spirit and determination to overcome big challenges to bring home the trophy. It will help them a lot to get the highest position in the Philippines.”

Vietnam recorded a perfect three wins in the group stage, beating Cambodia 10-0, Indonesia 7-0 and Myanmar 4-0. In the semi-finals, they won 2-1 over the Philippines who have naturalised players in their team. In the final, Vietnam beat arch-rival Thailand, who were one of the participants in the World Cup in France in July, 1-0 in the extra time. They played with only 10 women for the last 20 minutes.

Vietnamese players celebrate after the final whistle of the AFF Women's Championship's gold-medal match in Thailand on Tuesday. — Photo bongda24h.vn

It was Vietnam's fifth win over Thailand in different competitions from the club to the national team level.

The Thai team is also one of title favourites at the upcoming SEA Games in the Philippines.

“It was great feeling beating Thailand on their home turf," head coach Mai Duc Chung told reporters at Noi Bai International Airport on Wednesday. "The win not only pleased local supporters but also made my players more confident for when they face Thailand and for the coming SEA Games."

Chung, 69, has won three SEA Games titles, but this was the first time he won the ASEAN Football Championship, which he said was a milestone in his career.

Viet Nam Football Federation Vice President Tran Quoc Tuan was proud of the victory. He said the win showed the young players had grown up and they could take over the responsibility from their seniors to defend the SEA Games crown.

After winning the 2017 Games, experienced players such as midfielder Vu Thi Nhung and goalkeeper Dang Thi Kieu Trinh retired. Their positions were successfully filled by young teammates such as goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh, midfielder Thai Thi Thao and striker Le Thu Thanh Huong.

Chung, however, still thinks there is room to introduce more young players ahead of the SEA Games.

“We are temporally standing higher than Thailand but in fact we have not overcome them in general," he said. "They have a higher level of technique. We beat them (in this tournament) due to our unity and determination.

“For the long-term strategy, we must work harder to build up a strong foundation and focus on youth training activities. The first step is to develop football and then we can enjoy sweet results,” he said.

The coach also shared the news that some of his players are being eyed by foreign scouts.

“Many foreign clubs have kept their eyes on Vietnamese players. Sparta Praha of the Czech Republic and some Japanese clubs have invited defender Chuong Thi Kieu for a trial. Meanwhile, midfielder Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung, striker Huynh Nhu and defender Tran Thi Hong Nhung also received trial offers,” said Chung, who believes this foreign interest can be a strong push for the nation.

Players will return to training with their clubs for the second period of the National Championship from September 13 to October 4 in Ha Nam Province.

They will take part in the next national team training camp after the tournament in Hanoi.

“I have discussed with the coaching board about the plans for the SEA Games," said Chung, who is planning a trip to Japan to sharpen his players' skills. "About 30 players will be called. Among them I want to pick about six from the U19 squad.”

Fans greet Vietnam women's football team

Fans greeted the national women's football team at the Noi Bai Int'l Airport in Hanoi on August 28 after they won the ASEAN Football Federation Championship in Thailand.

VNS