Coach Mai Duc Chung aims for more decisive victory for Vietnam women's team

Despite defeating Cambodia 6-0, coach Mai Duc Chung wants his players to score more goals in their quest for the 2025 ASEAN Women's Cup title.

In their opening Group A match of the 2025 ASEAN Women's Cup on the evening of 6/8, Vietnam easily overwhelmed Cambodia 6-0. The match was effectively over by the 17th minute, with the host nation already leading by 4 goals.

With over 7,000 fans cheering them on at Lach Tray Stadium in Hai Phong, coach Mai Duc Chung considered the victory a tribute to the supporters. "Cambodia has made progress, but I still wish the team had won by a larger margin, without missing so many opportunities," he added in the post-match press conference. "Football is a team effort. Huynh Nhu passing to her teammates is just as important as her scoring goals."

Coach Mai Duc Chung during the post-match press conference after Vietnam - Cambodia in the first round, Group A - 2025 ASEAN Women's Cup, on the evening of 6/8 at Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong. Photo: VFF

Vietnam's goals came from a mix of midfielders and forwards. Six different players found the net: Duong Thi Van (7th minute), Ngan Thi Van Su (11th), Pham Hai Yen (14th), Nguyen Thi Van (17th), Nguyen Thi Truc Huong (51st), and Thai Thi Thao (60th). However, missed chances by Bich Thuy, Hai Yen, Huynh Nhu, and Hai Linh prevented Chung's team from achieving a wider victory and claiming the top spot from Thailand, who defeated Indonesia 7-0.

In Group A, Vietnam and Thailand will face off in the final round to determine the group winner and avoid a semi-final clash with the Group B leader, defending champions the Philippines, or U23 Australia. Chung acknowledged the tournament's difficulty and emphasized the team's focus on taking each match as it comes.

"Thailand is participating in this tournament with a very young squad, with many new players I'm not even familiar with. They are using this tournament as preparation for the SEA Games and future competitions," Chung assessed their rivals. "But our ultimate goal is to reach the final and win the championship."

Midfielder Nguyen Thi Truc Huong, who scored Vietnam's fifth goal, said the opening victory relieved pressure on the team. "I'm delighted to have scored, and even happier that the team had a good start for the upcoming matches. We have to be more clinical with our chances because the opponents will get stronger," she stated.

Meanwhile, Cambodia's coach Gyotoku Koji, who took charge of the women's team just 10 days prior after being transferred from the men's team, acknowledged the difference in quality between the two sides. "Vietnam's playing style is similar to their men's team. Their players are technically skilled and move very fluidly. But in these matches, we have performed relatively well. Compared to Vietnam, Cambodian football is not at the same level. I think our men's team can compete, but it's more challenging for the women's team," he affirmed.

Forward Hai Yen successfully converts a penalty, bringing the score to 3-0 for Vietnam against Cambodia in the first round of Group A - 2025 ASEAN Women's Cup, on the evening of 6/8 at Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong. Photo: Trung Thu

The 2025 ASEAN Women's Cup is the 13th edition of the tournament, taking place from 6/8 to 19/8. Vietnam is hosting the event at two venues: Lach Tray Stadium (Hai Phong) and Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho).

Eight teams are divided into two groups, playing a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Thailand currently holds the most championships (4, in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2018), followed by Vietnam (2006, 2012, and 2019), Australia (2008), Japan (2013), and the Philippines (2022).