Hohhot, 13 May, 2025 – Struggling in attack, Vietnam loses 0-2 to Japan in the quarterfinals of the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Championship on the afternoon of May 13.
Vietnam entered the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship aiming to secure one of the top three spots to qualify for the 2025 Women’s Futsal World Cup. In the group stage, the team went unbeaten, defeating Hong Kong 5-3, the Philippines 3-0, and drawing 0-0 with defending champions Iran.
However, against Japan, ranked 10th in the world, the Red-shirted women were completely outplayed, barely creating any clear chances throughout the match.
Despite finishing second in Group C and losing to Thailand in the group stage, Japan proved to be on a higher level than Vietnam. In a friendly match between the two teams before the tournament, Japan had dominated with a 4-1 victory.
From the kickoff, Japan launched relentless attacks, showcasing their superior physique and stamina. In the first 20 seconds, only the crossbar and post saved Vietnam from conceding early goals.
In the 3rd minute, Kyoka Takahashi outmaneuvered defender Thanh Hang and fired a powerful shot past goalkeeper Thuy Linh. The ball deflected off Phuong Anh’s foot and into the net, giving Japan a 1-0 lead.
With fluid movement and precise interplay, Japan gave Vietnam little room to attack. In the 6th minute, Ikeuchi scored past Thuy Linh again, but Chinese referee Zhu Xin disallowed the goal, ruling that the ball had touched Ikeuchi’s hand.
With no way back, coach Nguyen Dinh Hoang’s players failed to mount a comeback. On the contrary, without goalkeeper Thuy Linh’s outstanding performance and a referee’s call on a handball by Thanh Hang, Vietnam could have conceded more.
In the second half, Vietnam tried to press as Japan dropped deeper to defend. However, not only did they fail to find an equalizer, but they also conceded again. In the 24th minute, Van Anh lost possession in midfield, allowing Japan to capitalize on a counterattack. Ryo Egawa easily beat goalkeeper Thuy Linh in a one-on-one, making it 2-0.
In the final 10 minutes, Vietnam switched to a power-play strategy, with Vietnam Golden Ball winner Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang brought on. However, against Japan’s tight defense, Vietnam remained powerless. They even relied on the crossbar and post again to prevent the scoreline from worsening.
The 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Championship is held from May 6-17 in China. The tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups, playing in a single round-robin format. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stage. The top three teams in the tournament will earn tickets to the inaugural Women’s Futsal World Cup in the Philippines.
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