Coach Mai Duc Chung seeks tactical insights from Werder Bremen women’s team

Hanoi, 15 May, 2025 – Vietnam’s women’s national team must address their height disadvantage when they face Werder Bremen Women at Hang Day Stadium at 19:00 on May 16, according to coach Mai Duc Chung.

This rare home friendly against a European club celebrates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Germany. Coach Mai Duc Chung views the match as a valuable learning opportunity: “This is a useful game for our team. We will learn a great deal about our opponent’s technical and tactical strengths. Although we haven’t had much preparation time, we must focus and give our best effort.”

Vietnam’s squad traditionally lacks height, while Werder Bremen boasts two centre-backs—Lara Schmidt and Hanna Nemeth—each standing at 1.80 m, and most of their players exceed 1.60 m. “Our team has always been on the shorter side, but we must find ways to compensate,” Mai Duc Chung added. He also noted that several key players, including three under-19 internationals and mainstays from TP HCM, are absent, so his roster remains incomplete.

At the pre-match press conference, Bremen midfielder Ricarda Walkling—who developed in Bayern Munich’s academy before playing collegiately in the United States and joining Werder Bremen in 2020—encouraged Vietnamese talents to consider moves abroad: “Playing overseas, especially in the U.S. with its professional leagues and modern facilities, can accelerate development. Combining education with competition will help Vietnamese players grow.”

Meanwhile, Werder Bremen coach Thomas Horsch praised Vietnam’s quality: “I watched them play RB Leipzig. They have many skilled players. Having faced Germany in friendlies and competed at the 2023 World Cup, Vietnam will test us, so we’re bringing our strongest lineup.”

With a balanced mix of experienced veterans and promising youngsters, Coach Mai Duc Chung aims to blend resilience with youthful energy: “We will rotate experienced players and youth to ensure harmony, not rely solely on young talent.” This match represents a crucial step for Vietnam to refine their style against high-calibre European opposition.