Hohhot, May 11, 2025 – Vietnam’s women’s futsal team secured a 0-0 draw against two-time champions Iran on May 11 at Hohhot Sports Centre, clinching the Group B lead with seven points at the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup. This result propelled Tran Thi Thuy Trang and her teammates into the quarterfinals as group winners, per AFC reports and X posts.
Vietnam, ranked 11th globally, will face the Group C runner-up in the quarterfinals on May 13, with Japan, Thailand, or Indonesia as potential opponents, pending the outcome of the Thailand vs. Japan match at 7:00 PM today, per tournament schedules. Vietnam’s earlier 5-3 win over Hong Kong (China) and 3-0 rout of the Philippines, driven by Nguyen Thanh Hang and Nguyen Thu Xuan, ensured their advancement, per Sofascore. The goalless draw against Iran, ranked 9th, showcased Nguyen Phuong Anh’s heroics in goal, echoing Hanoi Police FC’s defensive grit, and Bien Thi Hang’s midfield control, akin to The Cong Viettel’s structure.
Group C’s standings hinge on tonight’s Japan-Thailand clash. Japan, runners-up in 2015 and 2018, lead with six points after 4-0 and 6-2 wins over Bahrain and Indonesia, per AFC stats. Thailand, ranked 6th globally, have three points after a 3-0 win over Vietnam in the 2024 ASEAN Championship but a 4-0 loss to Japan, per Rappler. Indonesia, with a 4-1 bronze over Myanmar in 2024, could secure second with a Japan win and a strong performance against Bahrain, per Philstar. A Thailand victory over Japan could see them take second, given their +5 goal difference, per VFF.
Coach Nguyen Dinh Hoang praised the team’s resilience: “Holding Iran scoreless shows our growth. We’ll study Japan, Thailand, or Indonesia to prepare for the quarterfinals.” Vietnam’s five goals conceded, the fewest in Group B, and Thanh Ngan’s five goals position them to chase a 2018-like fourth-place finish or better, per VietnamPlus. Aiming for one of three 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup berths in the Philippines, Vietnam’s 4-2 pivot, honed against Japan in friendlies, mirrors Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s attacking flair.
The quarterfinal at Hohhot’s 5,000-capacity venue, rivaling Nam Dinh FC’s Thien Truong, offers Vietnam a chance to upset Asia’s elite, fueled by Ho Chi Minh City FC-like fan support. A win could pit them against China or Uzbekistan in the semifinals, per AFC brackets, as they eye a historic World Cup debut, echoing Song Lam Nghe An’s youth-driven spirit.
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