Ho Chi Minh city, 13 November 2025 – Captain Huynh Nhu scored a spectacular free-kick to help Ho Chi Minh City Women FC defeat Stallion Laguna FC of the Philippines 1-0 in their opening Group A match of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025–2026, held at Thong Nhat Stadium on November 13.
Under the lights of Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City Women FC began their AFC Women’s Champions League 2025–2026 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Philippine champions Stallion Laguna FC, thanks to a moment of brilliance from captain Huynh Nhu in the second half.
The visitors, featuring several physically strong players, started aggressively and pushed high up the pitch, putting early pressure on the Vietnamese defense. However, it was the home side that looked more dangerous in attack. In the 4th minute, Huynh Nhu produced a clever through ball for Nguyen Thi Tuyet Ngan, whose left-footed shot was denied by the opposing goalkeeper.
Just seven minutes later, Tran Thi Thu Thao made a surging run down the right flank before sending in a low cross to Le Hoai Luong, but a last-ditch block from the Stallion defense prevented the opening goal.
The visitors had their first real threat in the 20th minute when Bookhard broke through on the right and set up McDaniel for a quick shot, only for goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh to react brilliantly with a diving save.
Ho Chi Minh City continued to press forward. In the 33rd minute, a misplaced pass from the Stallion goalkeeper gave Huynh Nhu a chance to lob the ball, but her effort fell just short. The home side was unlucky not to score in the 42nd minute when a deflected clearance bounced off Le Hoai Luong and struck the crossbar.
Head coach Nguyen Hong Pham brought on veteran midfielder Tran Thi Thuy Trang at the start of the second half to strengthen the attack. The 2024 Vietnam Women’s Golden Ball winner quickly made an impact, testing the goalkeeper in the 51st minute with a powerful strike that went narrowly wide.
The breakthrough finally came in the 58th minute. From the edge of the penalty area, Huynh Nhu unleashed a stunning direct free-kick that sailed over the wall and into the top corner. The opposing goalkeeper could only watch as the ball hit the back of the net, sending the home fans into celebration.
After conceding, Stallion Laguna FC pushed forward in search of an equalizer and came close on several occasions. In the 75th minute, Lovely Fernandez’s header was spectacularly denied by Kim Thanh, who once again proved why she is one of Asia’s top goalkeepers. Just two minutes later, McDaniel fired a long-range strike that clipped the crossbar, keeping the hosts under pressure until the final whistle.
In the end, Ho Chi Minh City Women FC held on for a valuable 1-0 victory to open their AFC Women’s Champions League campaign. The result gives the Vietnamese champions a perfect start and boosts their confidence as they aim to advance from Group A in this historic inaugural season of the tournament.
Leave a Reply