Perth, 9 March 2026 – Coach Mai Duc Chung has spoken about Vietnam Women’s National Team’s chances of reaching the quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup during the pre-match press conference ahead of their clash with Japan.
Before the final Group C match against Japan, Vietnam currently sit third in the standings after defeating India 2–1 and losing 0–1 to Chinese Taipei. As a result, their chances of progressing to the quarterfinals remain uncertain, with several possible scenarios depending on results in Group C as well as the outcomes in the other groups.
Discussing the team’s qualification prospects, Mai Duc Chung emphasized that Vietnam are focusing on their own performance rather than relying on other results.
“We are not paying too much attention to the results of other teams. The most important thing is that we must give our best effort and determine our own fate with the highest level of determination in the upcoming match,” he said.
The veteran coach also revealed that the players have recovered physically after the demanding match against Chinese Taipei, which was played under extremely hot conditions. The upcoming game against Japan will be held in the cooler afternoon hours in Australia, which should help the players perform better.
Speaking about the challenge of facing Japan, Mai Duc Chung acknowledged the strength of their opponent.
“This will be a very difficult match for Vietnam because we are playing against Japan, one of the strongest teams not only in Asia but also in the world. As it is the final match of the group stage, the whole team will compete with maximum determination, even though we understand how strong our opponent is,” he stated.
Regarding tactical preparations, the coach noted that Vietnam are familiar with Japan’s playing style from previous encounters.
“We have faced Japan many times before and know they always approach every match with great seriousness and professionalism. Therefore, we have prepared specific tactical plans in order to perform as well as possible against them,” Mai Duc Chung explained.
Meanwhile, midfielder Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy also stressed the importance of the upcoming match.
“The game against Japan could decide our chances of advancing to the next round. No matter who the opponent is, our team always prioritizes determination and unity in order to perform at our best on the pitch. After the match against Chinese Taipei, the coaching staff and players reviewed the game carefully and worked on improving both our physical condition and tactical preparation,” she said.
Bich Thuy added that the entire squad has strengthened their mentality ahead of the decisive fixture.
“Not only me but the whole team has rebuilt our confidence. We will enter the match with the highest determination and fight until the final minutes,” she concluded.
According to the tournament schedule, Vietnam Women’s National Team will face Japan Women’s National Team at 4:00 PM on March 10 (Hanoi time). At the same time, Chinese Taipei will take on India in the other Group C match.
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