Hai Phong, 19 August, 2025 – Vietnam women’s national football team ended their ASEAN Cup 2025 campaign on a high note, securing a convincing 3-1 victory over Thailand in the third-place playoff held on the afternoon of August 19 at Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong. With this result, coach Mai Duc Chung’s side clinched the bronze medal in front of home fans, a fitting conclusion to their spirited journey in the tournament.
The match began at a rapid pace, with Thailand pushing high and applying constant pressure during the opening exchanges. The Vietnamese defense, marshaled by goalkeeper Kim Thanh, stood firm against several dangerous attempts, keeping the game level through the first 20 minutes. Gradually, Vietnam grew into the contest, regaining composure and creating swift counterattacks that began to trouble their opponents.
The breakthrough came right on the stroke of halftime. Forward Pham Hai Yen made a clever run to latch onto a long pass before firing a precise angled shot into the far corner to give Vietnam a crucial 1-0 lead. The goal lifted the atmosphere inside Lach Tray and provided the hosts with vital momentum heading into the second half.
Thailand came out aggressively after the restart, searching for an equalizer with waves of attacks. However, goalkeeper Kim Thanh continued her outstanding performance, pulling off several key saves to deny the visitors. While Thailand committed players forward, gaps opened up at the back, and Vietnam ruthlessly exploited those opportunities.
In the 65th minute, captain Huynh Nhu capitalized on a loose ball inside the penalty area to double the advantage, sending the home supporters into raptures. Just three minutes later, midfielder Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy sealed the win with a clinical strike across goal, extending Vietnam’s lead to 3-0.
Thailand refused to give up and managed to pull one back in the 87th minute through Kwaenkasikarm. Yet, the late goal proved nothing more than a consolation as Vietnam comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
The 3-1 triumph not only earned Vietnam the bronze medal but also extended their recent dominance over regional rivals Thailand. For coach Mai Duc Chung, it was another proud moment in his long tenure with the team, as his players demonstrated resilience, discipline, and attacking flair to rebound strongly after their semifinal defeat to Australia.
With the bronze medal secured, the Vietnam women’s national team once again showcased their growing stature in Southeast Asian football. The performance in Hai Phong reaffirmed their determination to maintain a leading role in the region while continuing to aspire toward greater achievements on the continental and global stage.
Leave a Reply