Viet Tri, 2 July, 2025 – Vietnam women’s national team moved a step closer to securing a place at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup after a dominant 6-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates on the evening of July 2 in Group E qualifying action held at Viet Tri Stadium.
Despite facing an opponent ranked 80 places lower on the FIFA rankings (UAE currently ranked 117th), coach Mai Duc Chung fielded a strong starting lineup including key names such as Kim Thanh, Chuong Thi Kieu, Thai Thao, Thu Thuong, Thu Thao, Duong Van, and captain Huynh Nhu. In their opening match, Vietnam had comfortably beaten Maldives 7-0 even without their strongest lineup.
Vietnam quickly asserted control from the start. Just two minutes into the match, Huynh Nhu broke through but was unable to finish past the UAE goalkeeper. In the 11th minute, from a Van Su corner, Chuong Thi Kieu headed in the opener. Only three minutes later, a defensive misunderstanding from the UAE allowed Thai Thao to tap into an open goal, making it 2-0.
Vietnam maintained constant attacking pressure throughout the first half while UAE sat deep and struggled to create any chances. Goalkeeper Kim Thanh had perhaps the quietest match of her career, not needing to make a single save and only touching the ball once to return a back pass.
Despite several missed chances from Huynh Nhu, Van Su, and Bich Thuy, Vietnam added a third before halftime through a well-placed header from Nguyen Thi Van in the 43rd minute following a precise assist.
Not entirely satisfied, coach Mai Duc Chung brought on striker Hai Yen after the break to intensify the attack. While Huynh Nhu remained off target, other teammates stepped up. Nguyen Thi Van scored again before Hai Yen and Van Su added goals to round off a commanding 6-0 victory.
In the group’s other match, Guam defeated Maldives 3-0. After two rounds, Vietnam lead Group E on goal difference over Guam. A draw in their final match against Guam on July 5 would be enough for Vietnam to top the group and qualify for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The qualification round features 34 teams across eight groups — two groups of five teams and six groups of four. Only the eight group winners will advance to the final tournament.
Group E matches are being hosted in Phu Tho Province’s Viet Tri Stadium from June 29 to July 5. Australia, as hosts, along with the top three teams from the 2022 edition — China, South Korea, and Japan — have already secured their spots in the 2026 finals.
The top six teams from the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup will earn direct qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The seventh and eighth-placed teams will compete in intercontinental playoffs for Asia’s final spot.
Hong Phuc – Tue Phuong
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