Chonburi, 5 December 2025 – Pham Hai Yen led the way with a brace as Vietnam stormed past Malaysia 7-0 in their opening match of Group B at SEA Games 33, extending their dominance in regional women’s football.
Vietnam women’s team began their SEA Games 33 campaign in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside Malaysia 7-0 in Chonburi. Owning four consecutive SEA Games gold medals and ranked 37th in the world — 55 places above Malaysia — the defending champions showcased their superior quality from the opening whistle, even with several key players starting on the bench.
Captain Pham Hai Yen struck early, taking advantage of a mistake from goalkeeper Abdul Razak Ashikin in the 4th minute to tap in the opener. Malaysia’s defensive woes continued in the 23rd minute when Razak misjudged a cross from Tran Thi Hai Linh, allowing Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy to head into an empty net.
Just three minutes later, Hai Yen completed her brace. A precise long pass from Ngan Thi Van Su released the striker in behind, and she expertly guided a header into the far corner to make it 3-0. Before the break, Hai Linh added her name to the scoresheet with a well-placed strike from outside the box, sending Vietnam into halftime with a commanding 4-0 lead.
After the restart, substitute Thai Thi Thao became the standout performer of the second half. Entering the match with fresh energy, she needed only four minutes to volley home Vietnam’s fifth goal. The midfielder doubled her tally in the 59th minute with a powerful first-time shot into the top corner. Her hat-trick was completed in the 79th minute when Huynh Nhu delivered a pinpoint cross for Thao to head in, extending the lead to 7-0.
Vietnam continued to create chances late in the match. Vu Thi Hoa came closest when her 90th-minute effort rattled the crossbar, but no further goals were added as the reigning champions secured a dominant opening win.
With this result, Vietnam temporarily top Group B, edging Myanmar on goal difference. The next challenge comes on 8 December, when they face the Philippines — a crucial test for both sides. The Philippines, having lost 1-2 to Myanmar in their first match, are under pressure to win to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Meanwhile, Vietnam would take a significant step toward the last four with any positive result.
Hai Yen and her teammates will enter the upcoming clash with confidence, as they continue their mission to defend their SEA Games crown for a fifth straight time.
Viet Linh
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