Coach Mai Đức Chung and the bittersweet farewell to Vietnamese women's football

On the evening of December 17, despite their strong efforts, the Vietnamese women’s team had to accept defeat against the Philippines in a penalty shootout. The disappointment was even greater when Bích Thùy’s goal in the 29th minute — a completely legitimate play — was controversially disallowed by the referee for offside. This wrong decision directly influenced the match’s outcome, denying the opportunity to win the 9th gold medal in history and leaving coach Mai Đức Chung’s farewell incomplete.

SEA Games 33 was also the official final tournament for coach Mai Đức Chung, as his contract with the Vietnamese women's team will expire on December 31, 2025. Although the team could not finish with a championship, their journey at SEA Games 33 remains a great source of pride, especially given the youth of the squad and the many challenges faced.

After an emotional tribute at the end of 2023, many believed that coach Mai Đức Chung’s leadership career had come to a close. His age and work pressure made him wish for rest and to pass the role to younger coaches as Vietnamese women's football entered a transitional period.

However, out of responsibility and deep affection for his players, he decided to return, continuing to support the team with a contract extension signed on May 9, 2024, lasting until the end of 2025. This was not just a formal commitment but a beautiful image of a dedicated mentor willing to set aside comfort to guide a new generation through the toughest times.

Now, as this journey ends after SEA Games 33, coach Mai Đức Chung leaves the team with all respect, gratitude, and indelible marks in the history of Vietnamese women's football.

Coach Mai Đức Chung is the greatest icon of Vietnamese women's football, who has been closely associated with and created unprecedented milestones for the team. Under his leadership, the Vietnamese women's team qualified for the 2023 World Cup for the first time in history, opening a new chapter for the nation’s women’s football on the global stage. Regionally, he and his players showed sustained dominance by winning 6 gold medals at SEA Games from 2003, 2005 through the peak years of 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023, alongside a convincing 2019 AFF Women’s Cup championship.

Not only recognized by collective titles, coach Mai Đức Chung’s persistent dedication has also been honored by the state and society with prestigious awards. He was awarded the Labor Hero title in 2022 and is one of the few in Vietnamese sports to hold the First, Second, and Third-class Labor Orders. Internationally, coach Mai Đức Chung also made history as the oldest coach to lead a team at the World Cup, a remarkable record demonstrating his wisdom, resilience, and wholehearted love for Vietnamese women's football.