The 26 players joining thetraining in Japan from April 17 – 30 have been revealed, with two firsttimers Ho Thi Thanh Thao andTran Thi Thuy Nga.
Nga is highly valued for the position of a central defender because of herheight and experience, while Thao is often arranged as defender on theright-back.
Itwas a big surprise when head coach Mai Duc Chung decided to choose the two newplayers to join the national team in the training in Japan because he usually favoursexperienced ones in the national team and gives them the opportunity to playin friendly matches before considering them for the official squad.
However,to carefully prepare for SEA Games 32, the 72-year-old coach is forced toconsider backup plans for the worst-case scenario.
The training in Japan and the SEA Games 32 are seen as the necessary rehearsalsfor the team to prepare for the biggest women's football event in the planet./.