Zhang Shishi has had a special journey with the Vietnam women's team, when she was infected with COVID-19 during a training trip in Spain. Kieu was worried when he saw that only 6 teammates were qualified to go to India first, afraid of not knowing whether the Vietnam women's team would have enough players to register to compete or not, and then tried to recover, practice to compete and shine. When the Vietnamese women's team won a ticket to the World Cup, Kieu had a taste of happiness.
"I still feel excited and happy because I have never reached the World Cup finals. I missed 2014, the emotions at this time are still hard to describe", Zhang Shi Qiao shared.
The 26-year-old central defender considers the period in Spain as "the most difficult time" when the Vietnamese women's team was heavily affected in terms of strength, and when recovering, their physical strength was still affected. However, Kieu and his teammates still overcame everything thanks to the motivation and encouragement from coach Mai Duc Chung.
"Coach Mai Duc Chung always encourages us to always try our best to compete. I am also impressed with Huynh Nhu, who always sends messages to encourage the whole team, reminding the players who are affected by COVID-19 to try to recover quickly to continue playing. We are always determined, if we do not celebrate Tet at home, we need to be even more determined to compete...
I think (the decisive factor for the success of the team - PV) is probably Mr. Chung. We have played with him for many years and want to win something so that when he retires or not with us, he will have an unforgettable memory," the center back of Ho Chi Minh City I club added.
When asked about the difference between winning the gold medal at the 30th SEA Games and qualifying for the World Cup, Chuong Thi Kieu said: "My impressions at both times are equally important. At the 30th SEA Games, I had bleeding in my thigh. As a child of Vietnam, I think I cannot give up halfway. While competing, whether I bleed or not, I had to fight to the best of my ability, for the Vietnamese flag.
With the ticket to the World Cup finals, I am also very happy but a bit sad because I have just lost my grandfather. I felt like I was missing something important to me. I always think that both he and his aunt will always be a favor for me and the Vietnam women's team".
The Vietnamese women's team will have about a year and a half left to prepare for the 2023 World Cup finals, central defender Chuong Thi Kieu affirmed that she always believes in the coaching staff, teammates and even young players - who are also improving gradually, and will try their best together.
