Van Thi Thanh and Nguyen Thi Mai Lan, two key halfbacks of the women’s squad in the last ten years, have said goodbye to their team before the Asian Cup 2010.

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Van Thi Thanh at SEA Games 2009.

Vietnam Coal team’s Nguyen Thi Mai Lan joined the national squad in 1997 while Van Thi Thanh came to Ha Nam club in early 2000. Since then, the two halfbacks have been the most important members of the national squad. Steve Darby, the former Australian coach who led Vietnam to the Southeast Asian Games 2001 championship, commented that Mai Lan is capable of playing at the top Asian tournaments.

At SEA Games 2009, Mai Lan and Van Thanh played very well, contributing greatly to the second gold medal for the women’s team. Both were asked to play in the upcoming Asian Cup 2010 but Mai Lan, 30, refused for health reasons, while Van Thi Thanh, 26, wants to focus on her studies. She is now a student of the University for Sports and Physical Training.

The women’s team will only have two senior players, Dao Thi Mien and Doan Kim Chi. Chief Coach Vu Ba Dong remarked that Mien and Chi would have been key players at Asian Cup 2010.

The team will have two new members, Bui Thi Nhu from Ha Nam club and Bui Thuy An from Hanoi Trang An. The squad will meet on April 15 to prepare for Asian Cup 2010 and will leave for China on May 7 to attend the Asian Cup 2010 from May 19-30. Vietnam will face Australia, South Korea and the host team, China.

Members of the women’s squad:

Team leader: Nguyen Trong Giap

Coach: Vu Ba Dong

Assistants: Doan Minh Hai, Nguyen Thi Kim Hong, Tran Thi Bich Hanh

Goalkeepers: Dang Thi Kieu Trinh, Do Thu Trang, Duong Thi Danh

Fullbacks: Dao Thi Mien, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, Nguyen Thi Nga, Nhieu Thuy Linh, Nguyen Hai Hoa, Bui Thi Nhu

Halfbacks: Bui Thuy An, Le Thi Thuong, Nguyen Thi Hanh, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Nguyen Thi Mai Ngoc, Nguyen Thi Muon, Tu Thi Phu, Nguyen Thi Nguyet, Tran Thi Kim Hong.

Strikers: Doan Thi Kim Chi, Le Thi Oanh, Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, Nguyen Thi Thanh

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