Kuala Lumpur, 11 September, 2025 – The draw for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 has been completed, with Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Club placed in Group A alongside Melbourne City FC (Australia), Stallion Laguna (Philippines), and Lion City Sailors (Singapore).
Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Club, the reigning champions of the Vietnam Women’s National Championship, are the country’s sole representative at Asia’s premier women’s club competition. Coach Doan Thi Kim Chi and her squad will also enjoy home advantage as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) awarded them the right to host Group A matches in Ho Chi Minh City from November 13 to 19, 2025.
Speaking after the draw, head coach Kim Chi acknowledged both the challenges and the opportunities ahead. “In this group, Melbourne City are a very strong team and a real contender, having been runners-up in last year’s tournament. Meanwhile, Stallion Laguna from the Philippines and Lion City Sailors from Singapore have several naturalized players and quality foreign signings. It will not be easy to beat them, but we will work hard to achieve our goal of advancing beyond the group stage, especially with the advantage of playing at home,” she said.
Melbourne City are widely considered the favorites to top the group, given their impressive record and pedigree. The Australian side reached the final last season and boast a squad filled with internationals who compete regularly at the highest level. This means Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Club will most likely battle Stallion Laguna and Lion City Sailors for the second qualification spot into the knockout stage.
Last season, Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Club delivered a historic performance by reaching the semifinals, the best achievement for a Vietnamese women’s club in continental competition. Their success raised the profile of women’s football in Vietnam and demonstrated the growing strength of the domestic league. With the backing of passionate home fans at Thong Nhat Stadium, expectations are high for Kim Chi’s side to repeat or even surpass that achievement this year.
The AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 features 12 teams divided into three groups of four. The top two clubs from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarterfinals. Group matches will be held at centralized venues, with Vietnam, Myanmar, and China each hosting one group.
For Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Club, competing on home soil presents both pressure and motivation. The players will carry the hopes of Vietnamese fans, who are eager to witness another deep run in the tournament. With strong preparation and the support of their home crowd, the team will look to build on last year’s breakthrough and establish themselves as a consistent force in Asian women’s football.
Thao Phuong – Hong Phuc
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