From the regrettable defeat
In the group stage of the 2026 Asian Cup, coach Mai Duc Chung's team fell into a fairly easy group and a favorable schedule when facing successive opponents India, Taiwan (China) and Japan.
Meaning that if they get a positive result against India and Taiwan (China), the Vietnamese women's team will completely have calculations against the Japanese team.
Huynh Nhu and her teammates had a favorable start when they defeated India with a score of 2-1, initially completing the set task.
The next goal is just to get points against a weaker opponent, Taiwan (China), then the Vietnamese women's team almost certainly has a ticket to the quarter-finals. However, in this match, losing 0-1 made coach Mai Duc Chung's calculations "fail" and the Vietnamese women's team fell into a difficult situation plus pressure when the immediate opponent was the Japanese women's team.
The goal of getting points or limiting conceding goals was considered, but against the top opponent in the continent, the Vietnamese women's team suffered a 0-4 defeat, thereby officially stopping in the group stage.
It was the regretful slip-up against Taiwan (China) that caused the Vietnamese women's team to pay a very heavy price, which is to lose the opportunity to compete for a second ticket to the World Cup arena.
Team in the process of force transfer
The Vietnamese women's team comes to the 2026 Asian Cup with a force including experienced players and young players, but we have no better personnel choice.
It can be understood that names like Huynh Nhu, goalkeeper Kim Thanh, or even Bich Thuy... are no longer in the best form and fitness to play as well as before.
Meanwhile, young faces have not yet gained the bravery and experience to replace their seniors. As a result, although the Vietnamese women's team has some advantage in the group stage, they cannot promote their advantage and fail and leave the tournament regrettably.
Of course, changing or refreshing the team in a day or two is impossible, but it requires a systematic process and plan. The Vietnamese women's team has been and is in the process of force transfer, building inheritance, so even if there is failure, it is predictable and also needs to be sympathized with.
* After the defeat of the Vietnamese women's team against Japan, coach Mai Duc Chung said: "Sports, especially football, always has wins and losses. As head coach, I have to take responsibility for the team's achievements. When losing, I have to admit more faults. We sometimes meet opponents who are just right, sometimes we meet opponents who are stronger than us. In football, that is normal. Everyone wants to win, but when we don't achieve it, we have to accept it and continue to try.
It must be said that in Southeast Asia and Asia, women's football has developed very strongly. In Southeast Asia, Vietnam, the Philippines and many teams have invested and paid more attention to women's football. In addition, countries in Asia such as Iran, Uzbekistan... are also focusing on developing women's football. AFC leaders are also very interested in promoting the women's football movement in the region, bringing women's football to a new height.
We must continue to work and strive harder, especially developing youth football. It is necessary to strengthen football in schools, in training institutions as well as in localities. When the movement is stronger, the achievements of the national team can be improved.
* Mr. Mai Duc Chung also said that he will withdraw from the position of head coach of the Vietnamese women's national team after the tournament, giving way to the next generation.
