To talk about the importance of midfielder Tran Thi Thuy Trang in the Vietnamese women’s team, the competition against the Philippines in the group stage of the 31st SEA Games in 2022 is the clearest proof. It was a tough opening match, when coach Mai Duc Chung’s students let the opponent soon concede a goal. However, Thuy Trang’s excellence turned the tide.
In the 38th minute, the player wearing the number 8 shirt ran wisely under the armpit of the Philippines defense and then stretched it inward, creating a chaotic situation that Tuyet Dung quickly equalized. At the beginning of the second half, it was Thuy Trang again shining, this time with a classy goal. Receiving the ball from Huynh Nhu, Thuy Trang caught the ball and then gracefully shielded the opponent’s defender, before decisively hitting the roof of the Philippines net.
After this hard victory, the Vietnamese women’s team progressed to the final and won the gold medal.
Thuy Trang is a model for perseverance and professionalism
Recalling the match against the Philippines to see, the Vietnamese women’s team owns one of the most excellent and sensitive central midfielders in the region, which is Thuy Trang. When making a tough stretch to help Tuyet Dung score, Thuy Trang was 34 years old. Facing a fast, strong and ten-year-old younger opponent, the players of the HCMC team did not flinch. Thuy Trang is still very durable and supple, and at the same time sensitive in handling phases thanks to her long experience in competition.
The special thing of Thuy Trang is that the starting point in the national team shirt of the female player born in 1988 is futsal. Graduating from Ho Chi Minh City University of Sport and Sports in 2010, at the age of 22, Thuy Trang started her career in football. The Quang Nam-born midfielder and the Vietnamese women’s futsal team won silver at the SEA Games in 2011 and 2013, then joined the Vietnamese women’s team. Coming to football quite late, starting from futsal again, Thuy Trang started later than many teammates her age. But with the spirit of professional and persistent practice, Thuy Trang quickly proved her ability, affirming her position in the HCM City Club I and the national team.
At Ho Chi Minh City Club I, Thuy Trang along with Kim Thanh, Chuong Thi Kieu, Bich Thuy and Huynh Nhu form the vertical axis that brings glory to the team coached by Doan Thi Kim Chi. Although playing in the central midfield position, which requires abundant physical strength, Thuy Trang played very persistently and stably. The players of the women’s team in Ho Chi Minh City are compared by many to the “Kante of the women’s team” with endless energy. In SEA Games 31 and 32, despite playing central midfielder, Thuy Trang was present in every hot spot. Five months of playing futsal also trained Thuy Trang to have excellent ball handling skills in tight spaces. The midfielder wears the number 8 shirt and intercepts, coordinates ball rotation, assists, and scores goals. For all tasks, Thuy Trang is at the full role level and above.
Thuy Trang and Huynh Nhu are role models for young players to follow
“Thuy Trang has good tactical vision, plays smart football, and especially maintains her fitness despite her age. Trang’s performance greatly affects the results of the matches of the Vietnamese women’s team,” Coach Mai said. Duc Chung shared.
The home page of the World Football Federation (FIFA) was also impressed with Thuy Trang’s performance when emphasizing: “Thuy Trang has experience and leadership qualities, is an inspirational character in matches with a spirit of spirit. The 34-year-old midfielder has a strong spread in the face of strong teams in the 2023 World Cup, Trang’s composure when holding the ball will also be the key to helping the Vietnamese women’s team. control the game and take the pressure off.”
Although young faces like Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha and Ngan Thi Van Su are rising strongly over the past time, the pillars supporting the Vietnamese women’s team are still experienced players like Thuy Trang. The professional, exemplary attitude and the spirit of constant effort over the years of the girl born in 1988 are a model to guide young players. With seniors like Huynh Nhu and Thuy Trang at the top of the “front line”, the Vietnamese women’s team became a cohesive and brave collective.
In the 2023 World Cup, the Vietnamese women’s team will meet very strong opponents such as the US, the Netherlands or Portugal. The role of smart and brave players like Thuy Trang in controlling the game is even more important. The class and diligence of the 35-year-old female player is the foundation for coach Mai Duc Chung’s teachers and students to be firm in the face of storms.
On the biggest stage in the world, Thuy Trang is ready to write her own story.