The national 23-member women's football team convened in Ha Noi on Monday in preparation for the qualifying round of the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup in May in Bahrain.—Illustrative image

HA NOI (VNS)— The national 23-member women's football team convened in Ha Noi on Monday in preparation for the qualifying round of the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup in May in Bahrain.

Besides veterans Kieu Trinh, Nguyen Thi Muon, Kim Tien and Le Thi Thuong, Chinese coach Chen Yun Fat added some young aces such as Do Thi Nguyen of Ha Nam and Nguyen Huong Giang of Thai Nguyen who have competed well in the first leg of the National Women's Football Championships in the northern province of Ha Nam.

"It is pity that Chuong Thi Kieu is suffering from a severe injury and that Thanh Huong and Ngoc Nhung haven't recovered from their injuries," said Chen. "However, I have good substitutes and I believe they will play well.

"The Viet Nam team has different weak and strong points. They willl need to be clever."

Viet Nam will be in Group C, playing Bahrain on May 22, Kyrgyzstan on May 24 and Hong Kong on May 26. All three opponents are considered weak.

The team is expected to rank in the top five of the tournament to win one of five Asian berths in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015.

Previously, Viet Nam has no chance to get into the top places ahead of the five regional giants Japan, Australia, North Korea, South Korea and China. But hopes for qualification are higher since North Korea were disqualified from the World Cup after five players tested positive for performance enhancing drugs.

"I think, the chance to play in the World Cup is coming to Viet Nam," said Chen. Viet Nam's main rivals for a place in the top five will be Myanmar and Thailand." — VNS