Hohhot, May 7, 2025 – Vietnam’s women’s futsal team kicked off their 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup campaign with a dramatic 5-3 victory over Hong Kong (China) on May 6 at Hohhot Sports Centre, overcoming a second-half scare. Thanh Ngan’s brace and Nguyen Thu Xuan’s pivotal contributions secured three crucial Group B points, per VFF reports.
Vietnam, ranked 11th globally, pressed early but struggled against Hong Kong’s tight man-marking, managing few chances in the first 10 minutes. Hong Kong’s defense, led by Chan Wing Sze, stifled Vietnam’s 4-2 pivot, akin to Hanoi Police FC’s V.League discipline. The breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Chan Wing Sze’s errant clearance, after losing possession to Thanh Ngan, deflected into her own net for 1-0. A minute later, Thanh Ngan sprinted from midfield, outpacing Chan to slot home for 2-0. Halasan pulled one back for Hong Kong in the 15th minute, but Thu Xuan capitalized on another Chan error to restore Vietnam’s two-goal lead at 3-1 before halftime.
The second half saw Vietnam falter. Hong Kong struck twice in three minutes: Chiu Yiu’s precise 21st-minute free-kick finish made it 3-2, and So Hoi Lam’s blistering 23rd-minute rocket leveled the score at 3-3, exposing Vietnam’s slow starts, per match stats. Coach Nguyen Dinh Hoang’s side wobbled, with Nguyen Phuong Anh’s saves, echoing The Cong Viettel’s goalkeeping, keeping them afloat. The tide turned in the 30th minute when Thu Xuan’s free-kick cross found Nguyen Nguyet Vi, who drilled a low shot past Chuek Wai for 4-3. Thanh Ngan sealed the 5-3 win in the 31st minute with a thunderous close-range free-kick.
Hoang praised the team’s grit: “The opener was tough, as always. I’m proud of their effort, though we must sharpen up.” He noted persistent sluggish starts, saying, “We lacked rhythm early in both halves and lost focus after the equalizer. We’ll review footage to fix these issues.” The 3,000-strong crowd, rivaling Song Lam Nghe An’s fanbase, roared as Vietnam took a step toward the quarterfinals, eyeing one of three 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup berths.
Vietnam, with Thanh Ngan’s four tournament goals and Thu Xuan’s Ho Chi Minh City FC-honed passing, face the Philippines next on May 8. Hoang’s staff, using Hoang Anh Gia Lai-like analysis, will tweak tactics to maintain focus, aiming to top Group B (Iran, Hong Kong, Philippines) or secure a best third-placed spot, mirroring Nam Dinh FC’s V.League surge, for a historic World Cup debut.
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