Hai Yen and Her Final Asian Games: Vietnam Women's Football Ambitious Preparation Journey

Early morning in Suzhou (China), on the training pitch of a modern training center, Pham Hai Yen stepped onto the field with determined eyes. The captain of the Vietnam Women's National Team had just completed the first light training session in a long-term preparation plan for the 2026 Asian Games. For her, this could be her final Asian Games in her international career, and she does not want to miss the opportunity to leave her mark. The context of this training camp is not simple. The Vietnam Women's National Team has been in China since late August, choosing Suzhou as their base before moving to Japan – the host of the Asian Games. The coaching staff has designed a carefully calculated friendly match schedule, from club-level teams to top Asian national teams. This is not a random arrangement but a deliberate progressive strategy, aimed at bringing the team into a competitive rhythm with increasing intensity. According to the coaching staff, the first day's training was divided into two parts: light recovery exercises in the morning, and 90 minutes in the afternoon dedicated to perfecting tactical plans against potential opponents. This shows that preparation goes beyond physical fitness, delving into specific opponent analysis. The head coach and his assistants have carefully researched and selected suitable opponents, creating a challenging yet progressive environment. The friendly match schedule is like a strategic map: on September 5, the team will face Jiangsu FC (China) – a successful club in the national women's league; on September 9, they will face the China Women's National Team, one of Asia's top powers. After that, the team will move to Japan to play against Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Thailand. This selection not only helps the team adapt to different playing styles but also closely simulates potential scenarios in the Asian Games group stage. Pham Hai Yen, at 33 years old, remains the center of the coaching staff's plans. She shared: "I know this could be my last Asian Games, so I want to make the most of every opportunity to contribute. I want to maintain my form, take on the leadership role, and score goals to help the team achieve the best results." These words are not just a personal statement but also a message to the whole team, creating a strong motivational force. Tactically, the choice of opponents reflects a systematic mindset. Starting with a club team like Jiangsu FC helps the team get used to match tempo, then upgrading to a stronger opponent like China to test endurance and ability to handle pressure. Meeting Thailand in the final leg – a Southeast Asian rival – shows the coaching staff wants to maintain sharpness in direct competitive matches. This is a logical progression, helping the team build confidence while being tested at high intensity. One notable point is the choice of Suzhou as the training base. The city has a similar climate and time zone to Japan – where the Asian Games will take place, facilitating adaptation. Moreover, playing in Japan before the official tournament helps the team get familiar with pitch conditions, match atmosphere, and travel logistics. This is a subtle but potentially significant advantage in tight matches. However, not everything is perfect. The reliance on veterans like Hai Yen is a double-edged sword. If she suffers an injury or a dip in form, the team's attack could be severely affected. Lessons from football history show that many teams have collapsed when relying too heavily on one star in major tournaments. The coaching staff needs a backup plan, but information about youth integration has not been revealed. Another contrarian perspective is that publicly declaring "the last Asian Games" could create significant psychological pressure. In the past, many veteran players have performed brilliantly in farewell tournaments, but just as many have struggled with emotional weight. However, for a player with Hai Yen's character, this could be the motivation to play at 200% capacity. She has experienced many major tournaments, from the 2026 World Cup to SEA Games, and always knows how to overcome pressure. From a management perspective, the VFF organizing an overseas training camp with two legs in China and Japan shows serious investment in women's football. This not only enhances professional quality but also sends a message about the sustainable development of the team. However, questions about budget and sponsorship sources remain undisclosed, which could be a long-term concern. Looking at the bigger picture, the Vietnam Women's National Team is in a solid mid-tier position in Asian women's football, below Japan, China, Australia, and South Korea but above most Southeast Asian peers. The selection of friendly opponents spanning from continental to regional levels shows the coaching staff is preparing for multiple scenarios at the Asian Games. This reflects a long-term strategic mindset, not just aiming for immediate results but also building a foundation for the future. One point to note is the absence of information about young players being given opportunities in this training camp. If Hai Yen and other veterans leave the team after the Asian Games, there will be a significant gap. However, it is possible that the coaching staff is quietly preparing the next generation, and this tournament will be a chance for young talents to gain experience. This silence could be a strategy to avoid putting pressure on young players before a major tournament. Physically, the dense schedule with five friendlies in three weeks before the official tournament is a considerable challenge. The coaching staff needs to manage workload wisely to avoid injuries, especially for key players like Hai Yen. The division of training into two parts (recovery and tactical) shows they have considered this factor, but risks remain. Another interesting aspect is the team's choice of Thailand as the final opponent before the Asian Games. This could reflect the coaching staff's prediction of facing a Southeast Asian opponent in the group stage, or simply a desire to maintain sharpness in regional matches. Whatever the reason, this match will be the final test before the official tournament. In the first training session, Hai Yen showed comfort and confidence. She told the media that the training and living conditions in Suzhou are excellent, and she highly appreciates the coaching staff's preparation. These compliments are not just politeness but reflect a positive atmosphere within the team. A team with good morale often performs better, and this is an encouraging sign. However, we must be realistic. The Asian Games is a tough tournament where top Asian teams like Japan, China, and South Korea are always title contenders. Vietnam, despite significant progress, still has a certain gap in quality and squad depth. A realistic goal could be to advance past the group stage and go as far as possible, creating surprises against stronger opponents. For Hai Yen, this is the last chance to cement her place in the history of Vietnamese women's football. She has had a glorious career with many titles, but an impressive performance at the Asian Games would be the perfect farewell gift. She understands this, and that is why her determination is unshakeable. Looking ahead, the Vietnam Women's National Team is undergoing a methodical and scientific preparation. From selecting opponents, building schedules, to managing physical and mental fitness, everything is carefully calculated. This shows the maturity of Vietnamese women's football, not only in professional standards but also in a professional approach. Whatever the final result, this preparation journey is already a testament to the team's continuous development. In the context of increasingly fierce competition in Asian women's football, Vietnam's ability to organize such a high-quality training camp is a positive signal. It shows that managers have recognized the importance of investing in the team, not only financially but also strategically. If this trend continues, Vietnamese women's football can compete on equal footing with regional and even broader opponents. The biggest question now is whether Hai Yen and her teammates can turn this thorough preparation into concrete results at the Asian Games. History shows that the best-prepared team does not always win, but good preparation increases the chances of success. With an experienced captain, a visionary coaching staff, and a reasonable match schedule, the Vietnam Women's National Team has every condition to create a memorable Asian Games. As the training session ended, Hai Yen packed her gear and walked toward the tunnel. The late afternoon sun in Suzhou bathed the pitch in gold, and she paused for a moment, looking into the distance. Perhaps she was thinking about what lies ahead, about the challenges and opportunities. But in her eyes, there was no hesitation, only the determination of someone ready for her final battle. The Vietnam Women's National Team will continue training in Suzhou for the next few days before entering their first friendly against Jiangsu FC. This will be the beginning of a long journey, and all fans hope that the journey will end with smiles and pride. For Hai Yen, this is the last chance to write a beautiful final chapter in her glorious career, and she will not miss it.