After being delighted with the victory of the women’s national football squad at the SEA Games 2009 in Laos, experts began worrying about the future of women’s football.

Van Thi Thanh

Following their success the team’s pillars Kim Chi, Van Thi Thanh and Mai Lan are all about to say finish their careers.

At the age of over 30, halfback Mai Lan has stated to work for the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Group and she says farewell to the national team. Striker Kim Chi, 32, has declared herself unsure of her future. Halfback Van Thi Thanh recently told teammates about plans to leave the team in early 2010 because she is busy studying at the University of Sports and Physical Training.

Meanwhile Striker Ngoc Cham is out injured for between 6-9 months.

The Vietnam Football Federation’s Truong Hai Tung, who is in charge of women’s football, said: “The biggest concern for the female team at this moment is personnel. If the team’s current pillars leave the young players cannot shoulder the responsibility”.

Tung said that it is difficult to recruit good female footballers and it is more difficult to train a female player until they are able to play internationally.

For men’s football, if the team lacks players, clubs can borrow players from each others but there are a few women’s football teams like Ha Nam, Ha Tay, Thai Nguyen, HCM City and Hanoi and the investment for training of female players is modest.

Another matter for the national women’s team is whether Chinese coach Chen Yun Fat will continue his job in Vietnam or not. VFF Chairman Le Trong Hy said that VFF wished to continue its contract with the Chinese coach but this depends on the Chinese Football Federation because the Chinese Football Federation sent the coach to help Vietnam so the VFF signed contract with its Chinese counterpart, not with the coach directly.

Hy said that the VFF would consult its Chinese counterparts about the contract with Chen Yun Fat. If they agree, VFF will have to pay more for the coach. At present, the coach receives $3300/month.

VietNamNet/Tuoi Tre