Vietnam Women's World Cup 2023 squad: Who's in & who's out?

Tran Thi Kim Thanh is the undisputed number one for Vietnam between the sticks. The 29-year-old keeper of Ho Chi Minh City has 44 international caps to her name and should have the gloves in the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Khong Thi Hang of Than KSVN should be the second-choice keeper. She also boasts of having sufficient international experience with 29 caps and is an ideal backup keeper.

Whereas, the fight for the third spot would have been between Dao Thi Kieu and Doan Thi Ngoc. The former got the selection in the final squad. She is yet to make her international debut in a competitive match.

Chung sets her team up with a four-woman backline. Against the heavyweights such as the United States and the Netherlands, it would not be surprising if Vietnam choose to sit back, maintain their shape and defend with two banks of four.

Tran Thi Thu Thao & Churong Thi Kieu are the two most experienced defenders in the squad and they should take their places at the heart of the defence.
Luong Thi Thu Thuong is another solid option at centre-back and can be used in the latter stages of the game to replace tired legs.

Nguyen Thi My Anh of Thai Nguyen T&T should slot in at the right-back position with Tran Thi Thu at the other flank.

It is primarily a four-woman midfield with Tran Thi Thuy Trang entrusted to act as a defensive screener in front of the backline. She is the skipper of the team and dreams of exchanging shirts with her idol, Brazilian legend Marta. Trang might be partnered by another veteran in Duong Thi Van at the centre of the park. Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy is another option as a defensive midfielder who has close to 50 international caps.

Whereas, Nguyen Thi Tuyet will have the license to venture forward and join the attack. The Phong Phu Ha Nam attacking midfielder has 54 international strikes which speaks volumes of her effectiveness in front of the goal.

The likes of Thai Thi Thao and Ngan Thi Van Su add depth to the midfield department.

There is little doubt that Vietnam are the underdogs in Group D and to contain the reigning champions USA or European powerhouses in the Netherlands and Portugal, Chung might deploy an extra body in midfield to add more steel at the centre of the park.

Huynh Nhu is the star of the Vietnamese squad and is the only player in the team to play in Europe. She plies her trade with the Portuguese outfit Lank Vilaverdense since August 2022.
After a nervy initial phase, she has established herself as a key player for Vilaverdense. She is prolific inside the box which has seen her score a whopping 67 goals in just 72 international appearances. In fact, Nhu is the record goal scorer of Vietnam.

She will be ably complemented by Pham Hai Yen who is also known to be clinical and has 39 goals in 66 appearances.

However, 21-year-old, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha is the x-factor in the attacking lineup. She has a scathing pace and her dribbling abilities will be crucial while playing counter-attacking football. She is equally adept in playing centrally or in the flanks and was one of the best players in her squad during the 2022 Asian Cup.

Chung prefers a 4-4-2 system but might go for a 4-5-1 in the World Cup with Tran Thi Kim Thanh between the sticks.

Churong Thi Kieu and Tran Thi Thu Thao will likely be the two centre-backs with Nguyen Thi My Anh and Tran Thi Thu as the two full-backs.

The midfield five will be marshalled by skipper Tran Thi Thuy Trang. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung will likely be in an advanced position as Duong Thi Van, Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, and Thai Thi Thao should operate from a deeper position, just in front of the backline.

Huynh Nhu will likely be the sole striker upfront. Whereas, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha and Pham Hai Yen might be brought on later if Vietnam are chasing the game.

Vietnam XI (4-3-3): Kim Thanh; Thi Kieu, Thu Thao, My Anh, Thi Thu; Thuy Trang, Tuyet Dung, Thi Van, Bich Thuy, Thi Thao; Nhu.