2027 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers – Group D: Vietnam get off to a winning start
The Group D qualifiers for the 2027 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup kicked off at Bà Rịa Stadium on the afternoon of October 5. Kyrgyzstan opened with an emphatic 18–0 win over the Northern Mariana Islands, while Vietnam also made a strong start, beating Palestine 6–0.
06/10/2026 12:31:13In the opening match, the Northern Mariana Islands struggled to cope with Kyrgyzstan’s pressure. Flores scored an own goal in the third minute, setting the tone for the Central Asian side’s commanding victory. Kyrgyzstan went on to score 18, with Zairbekova netting four.
That result raised the stakes in the race to top Group D. Vietnam therefore needed a positive result against Palestine to strengthen their bid for a place at the 2027 finals.
Heavy rain shortly after kick-off disrupted Vietnam’s short-passing game. The slippery pitch and wet ball made it difficult for the players to maintain control and build technical combinations. Nevertheless, Okiyama Masahiko’s side took charge of possession and applied pressure from the outset.
Palestine defended resolutely in the difficult conditions. Their physical strength and ability to compete for the ball helped limit Vietnam’s quick passing moves and one-twos.
With short combinations proving difficult, Vietnam turned to long balls and crosses. In the 26th minute, Hà Vi rose to meet a teammate’s delivery with a header that skimmed just under the crossbar. Goalkeeper Nora Sobhieh had come off her line but could not reach the ball, and Vietnam took a 1–0 lead.
The referee then suspended play for around 30 minutes as the rain grew heavier. When the match resumed, Vietnam continued to press. In the 38th minute, Hà Vi broke forward and carried the ball into the area in front of goal. Sobhieh could not hold it, allowing Hà Vi to follow up from close range and make it 2–0.
Four minutes later, Ngọc Ánh fired from outside the box. Goalkeeper Nora Sobhieh got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out, giving Vietnam’s U-17 women their third goal.
Vietnam continued to control the game after the break. In the 48th minute, Hà Vi sent a low cross in from the left, and Khánh Đan controlled it inside the box before firing home to make it 4–0.
Trailing by a wide margin and struggling to create attacking chances, Palestine posed little threat to Vietnam’s defence. The hosts maintained their pressure and added to their lead.
In the 68th minute, Ngọc Ánh scored from inside the box to make it 5–0. Vietnam created several more chances, and in the 90th minute Thu Phương curled in a fine free kick to seal a 6–0 win.
The emphatic opening-day victory gives Vietnam a strong start in Group D as they continue their pursuit of top spot.
