Hai Yen determined to make her mark at what could be her final Asian Games

Early morning on September 3, at the Suzhou training center pitch, Pham Hai Yen stood in the center circle, shouting instructions to her teammates. The captain of the Vietnam women's national team had just begun her first training session of a three-week training camp in China and Japan, preparing for the Asian Games she calls "possibly the last of my career." The Vietnam women's team is in the final preparation phase for the 2026 Asian Games, which will take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8. This is the third consecutive Asian Games appearance for Vietnam, and the fourth for Hai Yen. At 32, she understands that opportunities to touch a medal may be running out. The first training session was intense. According to the schedule, the team had a light recovery session in the morning after the flight, followed by a 90-minute tactical session in the afternoon focused on perfecting match plans against potential opponents. Hai Yen said: "The whole team is in good spirits. The coaching staff has analyzed each opponent thoroughly, and every session has a specific goal." The training camp plan follows a progressive difficulty curve. On September 5, the team will face Jiangsu FC, a successful club in the Chinese national league. Four days later, on September 9, Vietnam will play a friendly against China - a top-tier Asian side and 2026 Asian Cup champions. After that, the team moves to Japan, where they will face Chinese Taipei (September 14), Japan (September 17), and Thailand (September 21). The choice of opponents is not random. The coaching staff carefully researched and selected teams with diverse playing styles, from Thailand's defensive counter-attacking to Japan's high pressing. This helps the team familiarize themselves with different approaches before entering the Asian Games group stage. Hai Yen has set three clear personal goals: maintain peak form, take on the leadership role, and score goals. She shared: "I don't want to think about whether this is my last Asian Games. I just want to give everything, help the team achieve the best result. If it's a farewell, I want it to be memorable." Throughout a career spanning more than 15 years, Hai Yen has become an icon of Vietnamese women's football. She was part of the team that won multiple SEA Games gold medals and played a key role in the historic qualification for the 2026 Women's World Cup - the first in Vietnamese women's football history. At the World Cup, despite not advancing past the group stage, Hai Yen and her teammates' fighting spirit left a deep impression. Hai Yen's presence in the squad brings not only experience but also emotional support for younger players. She is the one who ignites passion, who steps up when the team faces difficulties. During tactical sessions, she constantly reminds teammates about positioning, movement, and focus. These are qualities of a true leader. Tactically, the Vietnam women's team under head coach Mai Duc Chung has built a scientific defensive counter-attacking style. However, against strong opponents like Japan or China, the team needs more diverse attacking options. The friendlies against China and Japan will be real tests for the defense and transition play. Another notable point is the choice of Thailand as the final opponent before the Asian Games. Thailand is Vietnam's direct rival in Southeast Asia. This friendly could help the team adapt to regional playing styles, where speed and intensity are crucial. Additionally, training in China and Japan offers logistical advantages. The weather and time zone are similar to the competition venue, helping players adapt faster. The team also gets to familiarize themselves with pitch conditions, stadiums, and the continental competition environment. However, the pressure on Hai Yen's shoulders is undeniable. At 32, maintaining fitness and form through a long tournament is a significant challenge. She faces the expectations of millions of fans who want to see her shine in what could be her final appearance at an Asian Games. Looking back, Vietnamese women's football has made remarkable progress over the past decade. From being a mid-tier regional team, Vietnam has risen to become a leading force in Southeast Asia and earned a place in Asia. This success owes much to the golden generation that Hai Yen represents. With this thorough preparation, Vietnam aims to reach the Asian Games quarterfinals - their best-ever result. To achieve that, they must advance from a group with higher-ranked opponents. Hai Yen and her teammates understand this, and they are working every day to turn the dream into reality. In a quick interview after training, Hai Yen could not hide her emotions when talking about the upcoming Asian Games. "Every time I wear the national team jersey is a pride. I want to give my best for this last time," she said with a choked voice. Coach Mai Duc Chung also praised his captain: "Hai Yen is a role model for young players. She always trains hard, always ready to sacrifice for the team. I believe with that spirit, Hai Yen will have a memorable Asian Games." The preparation of the Vietnam women's team this time shows professionalism and thoroughness. From selecting friendly opponents to arranging training schedules, everything is carefully calculated. This shows the team's ambition goes beyond mere participation. When the Asian Games begin, everyone will watch to see if Hai Yen can write the most beautiful final chapter in her illustrious career. Whatever the result, she is already a legend of Vietnamese women's football. And with what she is showing, she deserves the support and respect of all fans. In the history of the Asian Games, Vietnam has never advanced past the group stage. But with this careful preparation, combined with the determination of captain Hai Yen, fans have the right to hope for a miracle. Football always has surprises, and who knows - Hai Yen's farewell story might become the most beautiful fairy tale.