Thailand, 2 April 2026 – U20 Vietnam women’s team are determined to defeat U20 Thailand women’s team in their second Group A match at the 2026 AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup.
In their opening game, U20 Vietnam women’s team suffered a 0–3 defeat to U20 China women’s team. Despite the loss, head coach Okiyama Masahiko praised his players’ fighting spirit and tactical discipline.
Speaking after the match, coach Okiyama noted that U20 Vietnam women’s team made a positive start, showing determination and sharpness in the first half. The team maintained a strong fighting spirit in the second half, although they were ultimately defeated by a stronger opponent. “China have a very strong foundation and are among the top teams in Asia. We also made a few mistakes in the first two goals we conceded,” he admitted.
According to the Japanese coach, U20 Vietnam women’s team adopted a compact defensive approach, waiting for opportunities to counter-attack, which worked effectively for most of the match. “Our plan was to stay solid defensively before launching counter-attacks, and the team executed it quite well. Even after conceding, we did not lose our structure. The players remained disciplined and followed the tactics. China did not beat us easily—they even had several players suffering from cramps,” he emphasized.
Vietnam’s next match will be against U20 Thailand women’s team on April 4, a crucial fixture in the race for second place in Group A. Coach Okiyama said the coaching staff will prioritize physical recovery ahead of this important clash. “Against Thailand, we will continue with our defensive counter-attacking style, aiming to win the ball back and transition quickly into attack,” he shared.
Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals. U20 Vietnam women’s team still have a strong chance of progressing if they achieve a positive result against Thailand.
VSN/RPT
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