Ho Chi Minh City – Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC delivered a breathtaking 5-4 victory over Abu Dhabi Country from the UAE in the quarterfinals of the 2024/25 AFC Women’s Champions League at Thong Nhat Stadium, captivating fans with a stunning comeback fueled by captain Huynh Nhu and her teammates. Despite trailing by three goals early on, the home side’s relentless spirit turned the tide, securing their historic first semifinal berth. The match showcased Vietnam’s growing prowess in women’s club football on the continental stage.
Abu Dhabi struck first, with Adubea firing home in the 3rd minute, followed by Al Ghafri doubling the lead at the 15th-minute mark. The UAE side’s physical edge seemed overwhelming, but Ho Chi Minh City regrouped, creating chances despite a disallowed goal from Huynh Nhu due to a handball call. Just as momentum shifted, Tetteh’s stoppage-time strike in the first half extended Abu Dhabi’s lead to 3-0, leaving the home crowd stunned.
The second half saw a transformed Ho Chi Minh City side. Playing with urgency, they exploited aerial play and long shots. In the 63rd minute, K Thua pounced on a scramble in the box to pull one back, and three minutes later, Chuong Thi Kieu’s towering header made it 3-2. A defensive lapse in the 75th minute allowed Tetteh to restore Abu Dhabi’s two-goal cushion, but Bao Chau’s audacious 16.5-meter volley in the 76th minute—too powerful for goalkeeper Da Cruz—ignited hope at 4-3.
The drama peaked in the 84th minute when Hong Nhung’s sublime half-volley from just outside the box rocketed past Da Cruz, leveling the score at 4-4. Then, in the 90th minute, an Abu Dhabi miscue saw Alzaabi’s failed clearance loop over Da Cruz and into the net, handing Ho Chi Minh City a 5-4 lead. Hong Nhung nearly sealed it with another header in the 92nd minute, but an offside flag kept the tension alive. Abu Dhabi pushed late, but Vietnam’s defense held firm.
Coach Nguyen Hong Pham hailed the resilience: “We never gave up. This win is for our fans and our belief.” Huynh Nhu, though goalless, inspired the rally, while K Thua, Chuong Thi Kieu, Bao Chau, and Hong Nhung etched their names in club lore. With this triumph, Ho Chi Minh City advances, carrying Vietnam’s hopes into the semifinals.
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