Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - National team star striker Pham Thi Hai Yen is thrilledwith her opportunity to go abroad to play for Lank FC in the CampeonatoNacional III Championship, the third division of Portuguese women's football.

“Ifeel happy and am very excited when I have the opportunity to learn more fromthe country with a developed football background,” Yen told Vietnam News.

“Iam completing the final procedures to go to Portugal to wear the jersey ofLank FC,” Yen added.

LankFC are a new women's football club, established last year, andare recruiting players with their sights set on immediate promotion.

Watchingthe impressive performance of Vietnamese women at the AFF Cup 2020, SEA Games30 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifiers, the club are attempting to sign Yenalongside striker Cu Huynh Nhu of HCM City and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung of PhongPhu Ha Nam.

Allthree are key players of the Vietnamese national team under the guidance ofcoach Mai Duc Chung.

Forstriker Yen, the dream move is the result of years of hard work, and now she'sexcited to develop her game abroad.

Accordingto Yen, her club, Hanoi FC, supported the loan move.

Yenis expected to go to Portugal this month before the Campeonato Nacional IIIChampionship begins on October 15 and play for the club until the seasonends in June next year.

Yensaid that her contract will be signed when she arrives in Portugal, so didn'tprovide information on her salary.

Bornin 1994, Yen is currently the captain of Hanoi FC. She has won threenational championships (2011, 2013 and 2014), one AFF Women’s Championship2019, and two SEA Games championships (2017 and 2019).

Yenhas been the top scorer three times in the national championship and isthe record holder for most goals in a single season, with 17 in 12games.

Inthe AFF event last year, she scored six goals, including a hat-trick againstCambodia in the opening match.

Atthe SEA Games 2019, Yen was the hero by scoring the only goal in extratime in the final against Thailand to bring home the title.

Super-sub

Yenwas called up to the national team in early 2014 when she was only 19 yearsold. In her early years, she was restricted to brief cameo appearances for thenational team but was finding the net regularly at club level.

Manypeople called Yen a super-sub and while she was impatient to earn a place inthe starting XI, she never thought of giving up.

“Ihad been called to the national team for a long time, but I still was a reserveplayer. I didn’t think much about it, because as a young player, I needed toget more experience, improve myself. When I deserve it, any chance willcome,” said Yen.

Atthe end of 2017 and early 2018, senior players like Nguyen Thị Minh Nguyetand Nguyen Thi Muon struggled, giving Yen more opportunities to play. Inaddition, the injuries of Nguyen Thi Lieu and Nguyen Thi Hoa forced coach Chungto place in faith Yen.

Yentook the opportunity and ran with it.

 New challenge

While thetrip to Portugal is a big step for Yen, Dung and Nhu, it's a giant leapfor Vietnamese women's football.

“For me,this trip means a lot. It helps me to have new experiences, helps me know andunderstand more about other football backgrounds.

"Goingfar to know where I am and where I can return to help the club and the nationalteam with the dream of attending the World Cup of Vietnamese football,” Yensaid.

While Nhu ofHCM City is very excited at the opportunity to play abroad for the Portugueseclub, she also expressed her concern about her Vietnamese club letting her go.

"Forme, this is a unique opportunity in the life of a female player.

"However,it still depends on the leaders of HCM City club. I personally think veryseriously about this opportunity and if I can go abroad to challenge in anotherenvironment, it is very good for my career in the future,” said Nhu.

Formidfielder Dung of Phong Phu Ha Nam, she said her club are in the process ofworking out procedures.

“Right now,I can’t be sure whether I can go to Portugal to play. My club are still workingon the procedures. Lank FC want all information about the negotiation processto be kept confidential so I can't say much now,” said Dung.

Meanwhile,coach Chung of the national team is excited that his three players havebeen recruited by Lank FC.

"Thefact that players may be able to play abroad is very beneficial for thempersonally. In a professional environment like in Europe, players will learnmany things, their income increases. It is also a driving force for otherplayers to strive,” Chung said.

“I plan towork with the Vietnam Football Federation’s technical director on the developmentof Vietnamese women's football in the future. We will focus on youth trainingand player export. It is a must to do if you want to realise the dream ofparticipating in the World Cup of Vietnamese women's team." 

However,Chung also pointed out the limitations when Vietnamese female players go abroadto play, notably the language barrier./.