Vietnam U20 women’s team return home after their journey at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026
At noon on April 12, the Vietnam U20 women’s team departed Thailand to return home after concluding their campaign at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The team achieved their objective of reaching the quarterfinals and gained valuable experience at the continental stage.
14/04/2026 17:11:23The team members were divided into two groups. The first group flew to Ho Chi Minh City, including players Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, Dau Nguyen Quynh Anh, and assistant coach Tran Thi Kim Hong. The remaining group traveled to Hanoi before continuing to their respective localities to rejoin their parent clubs.
At the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, Vietnam U20 women’s team were placed in Group A alongside China U20, Thailand U20, and Bangladesh U20. In their opening match, Vietnam faced China U20 and suffered a 0–3 defeat. In the second round, coach Okiyama Masahiko’s side went on to meet hosts Thailand U20, where the home team secured a 4–1 victory over the Vietnamese side. Vietnam’s only goal was scored by Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh.
In their final group match, Vietnam U20 women secured a crucial 1–0 win over Bangladesh U20 thanks to a goal from Thuy Linh, finishing the group stage with three points. This result helped Vietnam advance to the quarterfinals as one of the two best third-placed teams.
In the quarterfinals, Vietnam faced Japan U20, the Group C winners and one of the top contenders for the title. Against a superior opponent, Vietnam tried hard to implement their game plan but were unable to cause an upset, eventually bowing out after a 0–4 defeat.
Although they could not go further, the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 still marked a positive milestone as Vietnam U20 women’s team reached the quarterfinals for only the second time in the tournament’s history, the first being in 2004.
It was also an important opportunity for the young players to gain international experience, strengthen their mentality, improve their technical and tactical skills, and work toward long-term goals, becoming a key future generation for the Vietnam women’s national team.
