Football

Midfielder Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy (second left) at Việt Nam's friendly match during their training camp in Japan last week. Việt Nam will play India in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 on March 4 in Australia. — Photos courtesy of VFF

HÀ NỘI — India will be the first challenge to overcome for Việt Nam in Group C of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup today in Australia, which takes place during the team's second World Cup campaign.

In the other match, powerhouse Japan will play Chinese Taipei.

Coach Mai Đức Chung said in this group, Japan are the main rivals at a higher level compared to the rest. Việt Nam has to pick up points against Chinese Taipei and India for second place in the ranking, which means a slot in the next stage.

He expressed the belief that his side, currently ranked 36 in the world after topping Group E of the qualifiers, would carry their form into their 10th successive finals, which would earn them a spot in the 2027 World Cup.

He said Việt Nam's main target in Australia will be to qualify for the next edition of the global showpiece in Brazil.

Speaking to reporters after her training on March 1, midfielder Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy said that she and the entire team were ready and excited for the tournament.

"It will be my third time at the continental championship. Luckily, I am in good condition and can't wait to play," said Thùy, the Việt Nam 2025 Golden Ball winner.

"Our rivals in this event are not easy at all, but we will deliver our best performance. I hope to receive strong support from fans in Australia and at home during our journey."

Thùy scored Việt Nam's decisive goal in the 2-1 win over Chinese Taipei during the previous cup's playoff match in India. The win pushed Việt Nam to their historic World Cup in 2023.

"It will be great to write another proud chapter for Vietnamese football in the international arena," she said.

Vietnamese players at a training session on March 2 in Perth.

After seeing the rapid recent rise of women’s football in Việt Nam and globally, captain Huỳnh Như said she is confident that another improvement could be on the cards. The forward hopes to add to the two goals she scored in the Asian Cup four years ago, when Việt Nam finished in the quarter-finals.

“This is the third time I have taken part in this tournament, and each year I feel that things are very different. In particular, the teams in the region have become much closer in level, and the gap between them is gradually narrowing. This has increased competitiveness and created a very exciting tournament," said Như.

“I hope that in this edition of the tournament, the competition will be even stronger and the gap between teams will no longer be too large. It will deliver a high-quality competition, and attract many fans to the stadium to watch and cheer for the matches.

“Our goal in this tournament is first of all to try to get through the group stage. After that, we will aim to earn a place at the World Cup.”

Forced to withdraw from the 2022 edition on home soil following a COVID-19 outbreak in the squad, India were determined to earn their place in Australia.

Such was their drive that when the dust settled in Group B of the qualifiers, India returned home as the group winner with a perfect 12 points.

India are currently ranked 67th in the world.

The Asian Cup will be a tough challenge for newly appointed head coach Amelia Valverde, who took over her squad in January during a training camp in Türkiye.

"Personally, I take it as a great responsibility, as I have said from the beginning. I’m very excited, but I also don’t want to take it only on an emotional level. I’m very much aware of the tournament we are about to play," Valverde told the-afc.com.

"I feel the group is super motivated. We still have time, and controlling emotions and managing everything we carry inside will be key. We have a group that works spectacularly and trains very well. The better we train, the closer we get to being able to compete very well. That’s where our energy and focus are right now."

South Korea's Kim Yu Jeong will referee the match, which will begin at 6pm at the HBF Park Stadium in Perth. — VNS