Futsal

Vietnamese futsal players in training in HCM City. Việt Nam will play in Group D at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup's qualification. Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam will play Myanmar in their opening match at the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup's qualification following a draw on November 7 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Việt Nam will play the hosts, Macao and Chinese Taipei on January 15, 17 and 19, respectively, in Group D.

The other 15 teams are drawn into three groups to contest in a centralised league format from January 11 to 19.

Group A will see hosts Thailand, Lebanon, Bahrain, Palestine and Iraq vying for the top two spots while Group B will feature hosts Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Pakistan, India and Kyrgyzstan. Hosts Uzbekistan will play Turkmenistan, Australia, the Philippines and Kuwait in Group C.

Nine teams – the top two from each group and the best third-placed team among all groups – will progress to the finals, joining hosts China and Iran and Japan, to continue their quest for glory.

Coach Nguyễn Đình Hoàng of Việt Nam said the opening match would be tough for his team as playing against the hosts was never easy. If Việt Nam could make it through that, the following games could be more comfortable as Macao and Chinese Taipei are on the same skill level as Việt Nam.

Hoàng said his side is aiming for the best possible result in the group round, followed by a place in the qualification final.

Another draw will be conducted prior to the start of the Cup's Final round in China May 7-18, 2025.

The 12 teams which qualify will be split into three groups of four. The top two finishers in each group and the two best third-placed teams will then advance to the last eight.

The top three finishers at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 will clinch their places at the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, to be hosted by the Philippines – which have automatically qualified – in the second half of 2025. VNS