Football

Coaches take part in a press conference prior to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualification's Group E on June 28 in Phú Thọ Province. Photos courtesy of VFF

PHÚ THỌ — Coach Mai Đức Chung is aiming for the best posible result for Việt Nam from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, which will begin on June 29 in Phú Thọ Province.

As hosts of Group E, Việt Nam will face UAE, Maldives and Guam from June 29 to July 7 at Việt Trì Stadium.

Speaking at a press briefing on June 28, Chung said: "In terms of our target, all four teams will aim for the same thing, the best result and a ticket to the Australia Finals. 

"Việt Nam will show our determination in every match, although our opponents are among the strongest in Asia. We respect all of them due to their recent remarkable progress which forces us to strive harder."

Vietnamese players in a training session.

Chung earlier finalised his shortlist of 23 players after weeks of intensive training locally and internationally.

It was a pity that midfielder Nguyễn Hoàng Nam Mi, who was expected to be the first overseas Vietnamese player to wear the national jersey, was not picked.

Chung explained that Mi had not met his requirement yet. She still needed to sharpen her skills further. In a continental tournament where expertise and efficiency were priorities, the Canada-born player was not the best choice.

Coach Mai Đức Chung of Việt Nam.

Chung regretted to make his final decision but said that there were some new faces such as Ngọc Minh Chuyên, Nguyễn Thị Hoa, and Quách Thu Em, who would make an impression.

In the first match, Việt Nam will play Maldives. The next matches will be against the UAE and Guam on July 2 and July 5, respectively.

Coach Mohamed Athif of Maldives.

oach Mohamed Athif of Maldives said his side's target was to have as many good matches as possible. As the Maldives had no national women's championship, his players have only trained with male teams.

They gained experience from that environment and would try their best.

He said that Việt Nam were definitely the strongest team of Group E. Two sides have met before and he is well aware of the hosts' strength. His players were asked to play with all they had and promised a beautiful opener.

The UAE were considered the toughest opponent to Việt Nam in this competition but they arrived in the venue without naturalised players.

Coach Vera Pauw said her side gathered all local players. It was part of a strategy to develop the national women's football movement after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The UAE Football Association's choice is to focus on developing local players. After the COVID-19, UAE women's football has been rebuilt from scratch," said Pauw.

Coach Vera Pauw of the UAE.

"This is an opportunity for local players to compete, gain experience and inspire women in the UAE. We refuse to use naturalised players in this tournament. The most important thing right now is to build a sustainable foundation for the future."

Kimberly Sherman of Guam said that taking part in the continental competition was a big step of Guam's women's football. In addition to competing, the team wanted to inspire women's football in their home country.

Coach Kimberly Sherman of Guam.

They would know where they were standing in Asia and how they need to develop to catch up with other teams.

Sherman said the home team were very strong and always a big challenge. But with good preparations, she hoped her players would at least show their full potential.

The winner of the group stage will enter the Finals, which will be held in Australia on March 1-21, 2026.

The Asian Cup features the 12 strongest sides competing for the championship cup, and the top six will secure the Women's World Cup 2027 slots in Brazil.

The seventh and eighth placed teams will take part in inter-continental playoff matches to earn their slots.

Asian Cup's top eight teams will have the opportunity to take part in the Olympics 2028's last qualification round. VNS