Coach Hoang Van Phuc explains why he did not call up Huynh Nhu

Coach Hoang Van Phuc confirmed that Huynh Nhu is still a high-caliber player, yet the women's team is undergoing a generational shift and requires offering more chances to emerging faces.

The Vietnamese women's national team is currently training for the 2026 Asian Games with 29 players. This is also the phase where Coach Hoang Van Phuc is gradually building a new squad, aiming to ensure succession for the key players who have been with the team for many years.

One of the issues drawing attention is the absence of striker Huynh Nhu from this training camp. Sharing his decision on personnel, Coach Hoang Van Phuc highly appreciated the abilities and contributions of the veteran goalscorer, while emphasizing the need for squad rejuvenation.

"Huynh Nhu is still a world-class player. However, the Vietnamese women's team is in a generational transition. We need to find new talents to succeed players like Huynh Nhu and Tuyet Dung," said Coach Hoang Van Phuc.

In the process of searching for new faces, the head coach of the Vietnamese women's team has paid special attention to Luu Hoang Van and Ngan Thi Thanh Hieu. According to Mr. Phuc, Hoang Van possesses speed and distinctive traits in her playing style, while Thanh Hieu is a promising player who still needs more time training and competing to gain experience.

Despite pushing for rejuvenation, the Vietnamese women's team still maintains a core of experienced players such as Kim Thanh, Diem My, Tran Thi Thu, Thai Thi Thao, Bich Thuy, and Hai Yen. Coach Hoang Van Phuc expects these players to play a key role in mentoring their younger teammates.

Along with refreshing the squad, the coaching staff also aims to build a more proactive playing style. When in possession, the Vietnamese women's team will try to control the game and organize attacks. When losing the ball, defensive duties start from the forwards.

Depending on the opponent and match situation, the Vietnamese women's team can flexibly choose between pressing, ball control, or counter-attacking defense.

Striker Hai Yen shared: "In the positions of Sister Tuyet Dung and Sister Huynh Nhu, there are currently many young players making progress. On the wing of Sister Tuyet Dung, Thanh Nha has been able to meet the requirements. As for the striker position of Sister Nhu, players like Minh Chuyen, Hoang Van, or Truc Huong are also improving day by day. I think with their youth and good fitness, they can meet the coaching staff's demands."

At the 2026 Asian Games, the Vietnamese women's team is in Group A alongside Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand. According to Coach Hoang Van Phuc, the coaching staff is focusing on thoroughly studying the opponents, especially Chinese Taipei in the opening match and Thailand in the final group match.

The team currently has 29 players, and the squad will be reduced to 23 before the tournament begins. Form and the ability to play multiple positions are important criteria for the coaching staff to select the lineup.

The preparation process for the 2026 Asian Games is therefore not only aimed at immediate results but also carries the significance of building a new generation for the Vietnamese women's national team, in the context that many key players have been playing at the national team level for a long time.