The Maldives, a small nation comprising nearly 1,192 coral islands south of India in the Indian Ocean, has a limited area of 298 square kilometers and a population of 515,696. Consequently, women's football is underdeveloped, with the Maldives national team ranked 163rd by FIFA, 126 places below Vietnam. They rank above only Saudi Arabia, Bhutan, Iraq, and Macau in Asia. The lack of a national women's league means Maldivian players have few competitive opportunities.
The Maldives has never progressed past the Asian qualifiers. At the 2014 and 2018 Asian Games, they lost all their group stage matches, conceding 38 goals in three games in 2014.
Vietnam's women's team had previously defeated the Maldives twice: 14-0 at the 2004 AFF Cup and 16-0 in the 2022 Asian qualifiers. These are the biggest wins in Vietnamese women's football history.
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Midfielder Ngan Thi Van Su (21) competes for the ball against a Maldives player during the 2026 Women's Asian Cup qualifier on the evening of 29/6 at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho. Photo: Minh Khue |
Midfielder Ngan Thi Van Su (21) competes for the ball against a Maldives player during the 2026 Women's Asian Cup qualifier on the evening of 29/6 at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho. Photo: Minh Khue
Against a weaker opponent, coach Mai Duc Chung rested key players like Kim Thanh, Huynh Nhu, Hai Yen, Chuong Kieu, Thu Thao, Thai Thao, and Hoang Loan. This provided a starting opportunity for younger players like Ngoc Minh Chuyen, Tran Thi Duyen, My Anh, and Van Su.
The home side dominated, creating numerous chances. Maldives focused on defense, clearing the ball or playing it out wide. Goalkeeper Khong Thi Hang only touched the ball twice from the opposition's kick-offs and once when she came upfield to collect a clearance.
Vietnam scored six goals in the first half, with a brace from Van Su and goals from Bich Thuy, Nguyen Thi Van, My Anh, and Ngoc Minh Chuyen.
Early in the second half, attackers Huynh Nhu and Hai Yen were brought on. Vietnam continued to press, creating dozens of chances, but scored only once, with Hai Yen's header in the 66th minute making it 7-0.
In the 94th minute, Huynh Nhu missed a penalty. After avoiding an eighth goal, the Maldives players celebrated. At the final whistle, they embraced joyfully, relieved to have avoided a repeat of their previous heavy defeats.
In the other Group E match, UAE drew 0-0 with Guam.
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Van Su (21), Bich Thuy (23), and Minh Chuyen (19) celebrate the opening goal against the Maldives in the 2026 Women's Asian Cup qualifier, on the evening of 29/6 at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho. Photo: Minh Khue |
Van Su (21), Bich Thuy (23), and Minh Chuyen (19) celebrate the opening goal against the Maldives in the 2026 Women's Asian Cup qualifier, on the evening of 29/6 at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho. Photo: Minh Khue
"We are quite satisfied with the win but also regret the missed opportunities," midfielder Van Su said after the match. "Maldives has improved compared to before. They defended very tightly and with great effort. The way they celebrated avoiding the eighth goal shows their determination and desire to defend. For Vietnam, the victory is a morale boost for the next matches."
The 2026 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers involve 34 teams divided into eight groups: two groups of five and six groups of four. The eight group winners qualify for the 2026 Asian Cup.
Vietnam is in Group E with UAE, Guam, and Maldives. UAE is Vietnam's main rival for the top spot. The matches are taking place at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho, from 29/6 to 5/7.
Four teams have already qualified for the 2026 Asian Cup: hosts Australia and the top three finishers from the 2022 Asian Cup: China, South Korea, and Japan.
The top six teams in the final tournament will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The seventh and eighth-placed teams will compete in an inter-confederation play-off for Asia's seventh spot at the 2027 World Cup.
On 2/7, Vietnam will face UAE at 7 p.m., while Maldives will play Guam at 4 p.m.
Duc Dong
