Vietnam defeat Tajikistan to secure finals slot
Vietnam became the 10th team to confirm their place at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, cruising to the continental Finals with a 7-0 win over Group B hosts Tajikistan on Wednesday.
Needing a draw or better to qualify as group winners, Mai Duc Chung’s side were too slick and too experienced for Tajikistan, with Pham Hai Yen and Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy scoring two goals apiece.
The Southeast Asians had brought their shooting boots to Dushanbe in the 16-0 win over the Maldives which began their campaign last Thursday, and it was Pham Hai Yen – scorer of six goals on that occasion – who opened the scoring in the 14th minute.
Vietnam vs Tajikistan during their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers – Group B match at Central Republican Stadium on September 29, 2021 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Photo by Abolfazl Amanollah / Power Sport Images for The AFC
Despite that early setback Tajikistan did offer a more stubborn resistance than the Maldives, and it took until the 42nd minute for Bich Thuy to double the advantage and set Vietnam on course for the Finals.
The floodgates opened after the interval, with Huynh Nhu beating Saiyora Saidova from the penalty spot six minutes into the second half before Bich Thuy added her second three minutes later, and Hai Yen took her personal tally to two for the night and eight for the week with just over a quarter of an hour remaining.
