Hai Phong, 15 August, 2025 – Australia women’s national team head coach Joseph Palatsides has expressed confidence ahead of their highly anticipated semi-final against hosts Vietnam at the AFF Women’s Cup 2025.
“We prepare for this match the same way we do for every game. We are excited about the occasion and everything surrounding it. We know we will face one of the strongest teams in the tournament, led by a very good coach,” Palatsides said during the pre-match press conference on August 15.
The match is scheduled for 8:00 PM tomorrow (August 16) at Lach Tray Stadium in Hai Phong.
Despite opening their campaign with a loss to Myanmar, Australia bounced back with a narrow 1-0 victory over the Philippines and a dominant 9-0 win against Timor Leste to secure second place in Group B. Bringing a young squad to the tournament, Palatsides aims to provide his players with valuable experience and steady improvement. All of his squad members have played at least two seasons in the A-League Women, Australia’s top-flight domestic league, which has produced many stars, including national icon Sam Kerr.
“This will be a very tough match, but we are excited for the opportunity it presents to our players and the whole team,” Palatsides stated.
When asked which Vietnamese player posed the biggest threat, the Australian coach declined to single out an individual. “They are all dangerous in their own way. We have a lot of respect for this opponent and will prepare thoroughly for tomorrow’s match,” he emphasized.
Australia’s 1-2 defeat to Myanmar in the group opener came from a long-range strike and a goalkeeper error. The sweltering conditions in Hai Phong also posed a challenge, as the squad had to adapt quickly after traveling from Australia’s winter climate to the tropical heat of Vietnam.
“The first match was difficult for us because the squad had not fully assembled before the tournament and the long travel took a toll. Perhaps we were not fully prepared for the players’ needs. It’s not that Myanmar were weak—they are a strong team and played well—but we were not ready,” Palatsides admitted.
“After that match, our tactical instructions were better absorbed and implemented. More important than tactics was the players’ determination and desire to win. After the Philippines match, the team grew in confidence and improved with each game,” he added.
Australian player Isabel Gomez echoed her coach’s sentiments: “We know the AFF Cup semi-final will be tough, but our mentality is to learn from mistakes and move forward. After the first game, we made adjustments, regained our confidence, and got better results.”
The last time Vietnam and Australia met was in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifiers, with Vietnam losing 0-5 away before a 1-2 defeat at home in Cam Pha, Quang Ninh.
Thuy Trang
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