Reinforcing the Squad with Three Foreign Players
Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Football Club is making history as the first Vietnamese representative in the AFC Champions League (Women’s Asian Champions League). Under the leadership of Coach Doan Thi Kim Chi, they enter the competition as the reigning champions of Vietnam.
Having dominated the domestic scene, Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC now sets its sights on the Asian stage. The club has taken the proactive step of hosting the group stage matches, ensuring home advantage across all six games. Additionally, they have invested significantly to strengthen their squad with quality players, aiming to advance from a group that includes Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Taichung Blue Whale (Taiwan), and a team yet to be determined from the playoff round this month.
Following the return of Huynh Nhu, the club signed three foreign players: midfielder Root Medhan Callahan (born 1999), midfielder Tatiana Mason, and center-back Barnett Talani Alexei (born 2000).
Callahan, a midfielder, has previously played in Canada, a country renowned for its strong women’s football program. Forward Ranya Senhaji, who holds Moroccan nationality, developed her football skills in the U.S., playing for the University of Michigan. The third signing, Barnett Talani Alexei, also trained in the U.S. collegiate system, bringing with her a solid defensive mindset, physical strength, and an ideal height for a center-back.
All three foreign players bring more than just physical and athletic attributes. Their international experience provides a solid foundation for Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC as they aim to make a mark in the tournament.
A Promising Combination
Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC has dominated Vietnamese women’s football for over a decade, clinching eight national championships since 2015. Last season’s title was particularly impressive, achieved even after losing several key players, demonstrating the club’s depth and stability.
However, competing on the Asian stage is a different challenge. The level of women’s club football in Vietnam is still developing and cannot yet be compared to leading football nations such as Japan, South Korea, China, or Australia.
Unlike top teams that can tap into talent from collegiate and community football programs, Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC relies primarily on their long-standing professional training setup. Despite being a pioneer in youth development, supplying many talents to the national team, the club has faced challenges in finding successors over the past four to five years. Veterans like Huynh Nhu and Tran Thi Thuy Trang have often shouldered much of the team’s workload.
With the addition of three skilled foreign players, complemented by the strategic short-term return of Huynh Nhu, the team’s overall strength is significantly enhanced. These international players bolster the squad across all three lines—defense, midfield, and attack—improving the team’s capability in both offensive and defensive plays.
Huynh Nhu’s presence offers more than just leadership; she brings a forward capable of linking play, setting up attacks, finishing effectively, and excelling in set pieces. Her experience in Portugal with Lank FC has honed her ability to connect with foreign teammates, making her a role model for the younger players. Huynh Nhu’s seasoned experience is a valuable asset for the Vietnamese club, especially as they prepare for the challenging matches ahead.
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