Football

Ngọc Minh Chuyên of Việt Nam (left) scored twice in a friendly match between Việt Nam and Uzbekistan on February 27 in Tashkent. Photos of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam defeated Uzbekistan 4-1 in a friendly on February 27, a good warm-up for the AFC Women's U20 Asian Cup next month, in Tashkent.

National Best Young Female Player of 2023 Ngọc Minh Chuyên scored a double in the 14th and 58th minutes. Defender Nguyễn Thị Mai Hương and striker Vũ Thị Hoa netted one each in the 31st and 70th minutes.

The only goal of the hosts was made at the 17th minute after a mistake by Vietnamese defender Hồ Thị Thanh Thảo.

It was the second friendly as both sides prepare for the championship. In the first match, they dew 1-1 on February 24.

“We have been familiar with the freezing weather here. My players have also improved a lot," coach Akira Ijiri of Việt Nam said.

"In the first match, we had a draw and now we win. But it is not enough. In situations against bigger and taller rivals, my players have not worked well. We should simplify our attacks to create more threatening opportunities while players should be more confident to open attempts and finish. We need to improve these weakness to face powerful rivals who are among the Asian top eight in the finals," he said.

Vietnamese players in training in preparation for the AFC Women's U20 Asian Cup in early March in Uzbekistan.

The Japanese tactician added the result was not important but the teamwork and players' attitude to strictly follow tactics was key.

"My players develop very quickly. Failures and experiences help them grow up well. If they keep growing at that rate, I think in the future it will be possible to enter the top five in Asia," he said.

Ijiri will finalise his 23 players for the tournament soon.

At the Asian Cup, Việt Nam will play Japan, North Korea and China on March 4, 7 and 10, respectively.

“These three teams are among strongest in Asia. These matches are very important, allowing young players like me to accumulate more experience for the future. It's difficult to talk about opportunities, but we maintain a high fighting spirit," defender Thảo said. VNS