The Vietnam women's futsal team kicked off their campaign at the 2025 Asian Women's Futsal Championship in China with an impressive 5-3 victory over Hong Kong (China), securing the top spot in Group B. The match, held on May 8, 2025, showcased Vietnam's offensive prowess as they dominated the game from the whistle.
Vietnam quickly established control, creating numerous dangerous opportunities in front of Hong Kong's goal. The breakthrough came in the 13th minute when a shot from Thanh Ngan led to an own goal by a Hong Kong defender, giving Vietnam a 1-0 lead. Just moments later, Thanh Ngan doubled the advantage, stealing the ball from midfield and finishing expertly into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
However, Hong Kong responded with a counter-attack that resulted in their first goal, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Vietnam's resilience shone through as they quickly restored their two-goal cushion before halftime, with Thu Xuan scoring after a fierce battle for possession.
The second half saw increased tension as Hong Kong's Wu Choi Yiu pulled one back, closing the score to 2-3. The intensity of the match escalated when Hong Kong equalized in the 23rd minute, making it 3-3. But Vietnam's determination prevailed as Tran Nguyet Vi and Thanh Ngan each found the net again, sealing the victory at 5-3.
In the other match of Group B, Iran defeated the Philippines 1-0, leaving Vietnam at the top of the group with a superior goal difference over the defending champions, Iran. The next challenge for Vietnam will be against the Philippines on May 9, 2025, in a match that could secure their place in the quarterfinals.
As the team prepares for their upcoming match, they have been focusing on tactical training and analyzing their opponents. Thanh Ngan, who emerged as a star in the match against Hong Kong, expressed her confidence and determination for the next game, stating, "I have prepared my mind to be as relaxed as possible and am currently focused 100% on the match against the Philippines. Our goal is to secure all three points."
Reflecting on their previous encounter with the Philippines, where Vietnam won decisively 6-1 in the Southeast Asian tournament last year, Thanh Ngan acknowledged that this match would be different. "I faced them last year. They are a team with quality and a structured style of play. This will definitely be a much tougher match compared to the one against Hong Kong," she noted.
The Vietnam women's futsal team is maintaining a rigorous training schedule, adhering closely to the strategies set by head coach Nguyen Dinh Hoang. In preparation for the match against the Philippines, the team held a meeting on May 8 to review their performance against Hong Kong and discuss tactical adjustments. They also engaged in video analysis to better understand their opponents' strengths and weaknesses.
The match between Vietnam and the Philippines is set to kick off at 10:00 AM on May 9, 2025, local time. A victory would not only solidify Vietnam's position in the tournament but also bring them closer to their dream of qualifying for the Women's Futsal World Cup for the first time in history.
With a positive start and an unwavering spirit, the Vietnam women's futsal team is looking to continue their inspiring journey in the continental arena. Their focus, determination, and meticulous preparation are all aimed at achieving another victory that would affirm their status in women's futsal.
