Lookatvietnam – Many believe that girls born in the year of the buffalo will meet with many difficulties in their life because the buffalo is such a hardworking animal, but members of the national women’s football team expect that 2009 will be full of success.

Ngoc Cham (white). (Photo: VNN)

All are indispensable elements of the team and are candidates to grab the most valuable player award for 2008.

Rising star Thanh

Born to a four-child family in Ha Nam Province, Thanh got into football by accident.

In 1998 coach Hai Anh, the founder of the provincial football movement, visited Vinh Tru Town in search of new talent. He witnessed a small 13-year-old girl passionately watching her older sisters play football. She was not hesitant to show off her skills when asked to join them.

One year later Thanh was recruited into the provincial football training course.

Despite poor infrastructure, a lack of resources for the sport and a commitment to continue with her studies, she devoted her free time to playing football.

When Ha Nam joined the professional league, Thanh quickly attracted the attention of national coaches who called her up to the national team in 2003 at the age of 18.

This was the year Viet Nam hosted the 22nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA) and the women’s football team successfully beat Myanmar in the final to defend their title.

Her performance earned Thanh her first Golden Ball award in recognition of her commitment to the team.

Two years later, the ’calf’ enjoyed more success when she scored a goal to help the national team achieve their third straight SEA Games title.

Thanh is now a veteran member of the team who plays in every game.

Revenge

After a wonderful performance at the Dong Thap Province’s Student Games in 2000 Trinh was called to train with the HCM City football club.

While there, Trinh learned a lot from national goalie Nguyen Kim Hong, who grabbed a Golden Ball a ward in 2002.

Far different from the reserved, timid girl in daily life, Trinh proved to be a very strong and reliable player on the football field. Her numerous saves and blocked balls have made the headlines of many newspapers.

Trinh joined the national team in 2004 and she was part of her first title team one year later as Viet Nam triumphed at the 23rd SEA Games in the Philipines.

Trinh burst into tears when her team was unable to defend their title two years later in a 0-2 loss to Thailand in the final match.

But Viet Nam had its revenge last October when they triumphed over their rivals 2-1 during the Southeast Asian Women’s Football Championship.

In the year of buffalo Trinh expects to see another victory for Viet Nam at the 25th SEA Games in Laos this December.

Surprise return

Cham proved her talent at the age of 22 when she entered the national team after years playing for Ha Noi club.

Cham trained and played hard but was unable to take part in the 22nd and 23rd SEA Games because of injuries which nearly forced her to retire.

Her return to the game in 2007 was a surprise to many people. She not only quickly took back her power but also showed off a talent for scoring.

Cham was one of the top scorers at the national championship last year and was a nightmare to many defenders at the 24th SEA Games in Thailand last December.

Cham’s 24th SEA Games silver medal was her first and it has given her the drive and incentive to play harder.

That drive led her to near-perfection in 2008 the Asian championship and the Southeast Asian tournament where Viet Nam ranked second.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News