Hohhot, May 9, 2025 – Vietnam’s women’s futsal team clinched a 3-0 victory over the Philippines in their second Group B match at the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup on May 9 at Hohhot Sports Centre, becoming the first team to advance to the quarterfinals. Following their 5-3 win over Hong Kong (China), coach Nguyen Dinh Hoang’s squad showcased dominance to secure six points, per AFC reports.
Facing a Philippines side desperate for a win after losing their opener, Vietnam started cautiously, absorbing early pressure from the World Cup hosts’ high press, akin to Hanoi Police FC’s V.League intensity. Nguyen Phuong Anh’s saves and Trinh Nguyen Thanh Hang’s blocks, echoing The Cong Viettel’s grit, kept the score level in a goalless first half, despite Bien Thi Hang’s close-range shot being cleared, per match stats.
The second half saw Vietnam unleash their attacking prowess. Four minutes after the restart, Thanh Hang broke the deadlock, finishing a slick one-two with Thanh Ngan to make it 1-0, igniting 2,500 fans, rivaling Song Lam Nghe An’s crowds. Vietnam’s 4-2 pivot overwhelmed the Philippines, and in the 33rd minute, Nguyen Thu Xuan doubled the lead with a stunning 15-meter strike, assisted by Bien Thi Hang’s deft pass. Pho Ngoc Thanh Thy sealed the 3-0 rout in the 37th minute, tapping in Nguyen Nguyet Vi’s low cross after a counter sparked by Ho Chi Minh City FC prospect Thu Xuan, per VFF.
Hoang lauded the team’s adaptability: “We started slowly but controlled the game after settling in. The second half showed our quality and focus.” He noted areas for improvement, saying, “We’ll analyze footage to sharpen our early transitions, as seen in our Hong Kong match, to face Iran.” Vietnam’s six goals conceded, the fewest in Group B, and Thanh Ngan’s five tournament goals, per AFC stats, underline their balance, mirroring Nam Dinh FC’s V.League form.
Vietnam, ranked 11th globally, face Iran on May 11, aiming to top Group B or secure a best third-placed spot for a deeper run, eyeing one of three 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup berths in the Philippines. With Thu Xuan’s three assists and Bien Thi Hang’s Hoang Anh Gia Lai-like flair, Vietnam’s quarterfinal berth, their best since 2018, positions them to challenge Asia’s elite, fueled by Hanoi FC Youth’s developmental ethos and a shot at a historic World Cup debut.
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