AFC Women's Asian Cup
Head coach of the national team for seven years - the highlight of which was guiding Vietnam to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals in 2023, Mai decided it was time to hand the reins to fresh hands.
His boots, however, were hard to fill and with no replacement found, Vietnam Football Federation turned once again to one of their favourites sons and the call was answered with a sense of great duty and pride.
His boots, however, were hard to fill and with no replacement found, Vietnam Football Federation turned once again to one of their favourites sons and the call was answered with a sense of great duty and pride.
“For me, I’m already at an older age and I wanted to take some time to rest with my family after the difficulties in 2023,” explained the 74-year-old Mai.
“But because of my career, my love, and my passion for this work and after receiving an invitation from the leaders of the Vietnam Football Federation, I decided to return once again, out of love.”
Vietnam will hope Mai oversees another golden period, having steered the Southeast Asian nation to one ASEAN Women’s Championship title (2019), four Southeast Asian Games gold medals (2017-2023), a quarter-final appearance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ as well as their debut outing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia &New Zealand 2023.
“But because of my career, my love, and my passion for this work and after receiving an invitation from the leaders of the Vietnam Football Federation, I decided to return once again, out of love.”
Vietnam will hope Mai oversees another golden period, having steered the Southeast Asian nation to one ASEAN Women’s Championship title (2019), four Southeast Asian Games gold medals (2017-2023), a quarter-final appearance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ as well as their debut outing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia &New Zealand 2023.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
“I’ve been attached to the women’s national football team for more than 30 years.
“Thanks to the attention and support from the leadership of our country, from ministries and government agencies, and especially from football fans nationwide, women’s football in Vietnam has continued developing.
“We only have six women’s (club) football teams in the entire country but we have still managed to reach the world stage of women’s football — that’s something that our whole team has worked extremely hard for.
“We’ve made the greatest effort possible to qualify and participate in three consecutive AFC Women’s Asian Cup Finals.”
“Thanks to the attention and support from the leadership of our country, from ministries and government agencies, and especially from football fans nationwide, women’s football in Vietnam has continued developing.
“We only have six women’s (club) football teams in the entire country but we have still managed to reach the world stage of women’s football — that’s something that our whole team has worked extremely hard for.
“We’ve made the greatest effort possible to qualify and participate in three consecutive AFC Women’s Asian Cup Finals.”
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
Despite his advancing years, Mai hasn’t stopped trying to make women’s football better in Vietnam and he hopes that the sport does the same.
“We’ve thought a lot about how to keep improving. Especially now, in Southeast Asia, it’s not just us — many countries are paying close attention to women’s football, investing heavily in training and competition to achieve good results.
“That’s something truly encouraging, and it makes us very happy for the future of women’s football in our region.
“Because of that, we are even more determined to give our best. At present, we are focusing on training young players from clubs and provinces where women’s football is growing, including in schools and youth programmes.”
“We’ve thought a lot about how to keep improving. Especially now, in Southeast Asia, it’s not just us — many countries are paying close attention to women’s football, investing heavily in training and competition to achieve good results.
“That’s something truly encouraging, and it makes us very happy for the future of women’s football in our region.
“Because of that, we are even more determined to give our best. At present, we are focusing on training young players from clubs and provinces where women’s football is growing, including in schools and youth programmes.”
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ is very much at the forefront of Mai’s thinking with the opportunity to better their last eight finish on the cards.
Losing to the Philippines in a heartbreaking penalty shootout in the final of the SEA Games in December wasn’t ideal but Mai did get a chance to gauge younger players like Ngoc Minh Chuyen and Nguyen Thi Kim Yen.
“To reach a truly high level, our country needs to build a broad and solid foundation for training. Only then can we achieve strong results."
Losing to the Philippines in a heartbreaking penalty shootout in the final of the SEA Games in December wasn’t ideal but Mai did get a chance to gauge younger players like Ngoc Minh Chuyen and Nguyen Thi Kim Yen.
“To reach a truly high level, our country needs to build a broad and solid foundation for training. Only then can we achieve strong results."
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
“To prepare for the upcoming Women’s Asian Cup, we looked at the SEA Games as a good opportunity for us to continue to strengthen and prepare, especially now that our team is undergoing rejuvenation.
“We’re bringing in young, talented players with potential, promoting them to the national team so that we can perform even better at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Finals.”
Drawn in Group C with Japan, India and Chinese Taipei - Vietnam are seen as one of the likely candidates for a place in the quarter-finals, from where they will only be one win away from a return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We’re bringing in young, talented players with potential, promoting them to the national team so that we can perform even better at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Finals.”
Drawn in Group C with Japan, India and Chinese Taipei - Vietnam are seen as one of the likely candidates for a place in the quarter-finals, from where they will only be one win away from a return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“This time, we’ve set a very high goal and are determined to do our best. Of course, there are many strong teams like Australia, Japan, DPR Korea, and Korea Republic.
“In addition, there are teams competing directly with us, such as (Islamic Republic of) Iran, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan.
“Our goal is to work together as one united team, stay determined, and overcome all difficulties. We hope that our women’s national team can once again qualify for the Women’s World Cup.”
“In addition, there are teams competing directly with us, such as (Islamic Republic of) Iran, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan.
“Our goal is to work together as one united team, stay determined, and overcome all difficulties. We hope that our women’s national team can once again qualify for the Women’s World Cup.”
Related News
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
China PR’s Li determined to retain title
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
Torcaso eyes second FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance for Philippines
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
Basfore eager to inspire next generation of Blue Tigresses
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
Karachik’s Uzbekistan journey defined by challenges
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
#WAC Epic Moments: Relive and win prizes
Item 1 of 5