Australia need to be wary of Như

Việt Nam will play in the tournament, which begins early next year, in Group B, with Australia, Japan and South Korea.

On their website, the AFC wrote, “Having scored six goals in three games during qualification, Huỳnh Như has laid down the gauntlet and has firmly cemented herself as a striker to be feared at the Women’s Asian Cup 2018.”

Như won a “Golden Ball” statue last year for the best female player of 2016, and is aiming to win her second this year.

Her talent is not only recognised in the domestic league, but also at the regional and continental levels.

“Continuing her incredible run of goals, she has led from the front to help her team secure the gold medal at the SEA Games. By winning the female 2016 Golden Ball, Vietnam’s highest individual footballing honour, her form has hit full stride and she is not looking back. Despite her short stature, she is just reaching her footballing prime, and her fierce intensity and eye for the goal will make her a serious threat to any defence caught unprepared,” the AFC added.

Two other players who may threaten Australia, last year’s first runner-up, are defender Saki Kumagai of defending champions Japan, and midfielder Ji So-un of South Korea.