Vietnam U16 Women beat hosts Indonesia in a thrilling penalty shootout to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 ASEAN U16 Girl’s Championship
On the afternoon of August 29, the Vietnam U16 Girl’s National Team defeated hosts Indonesia in the third-place playoff of the ASEAN U16 Girls’ Championship 2025 after a dramatic penalty shootout, thereby earning a well-deserved bronze medal.
04/09/2025 10:39:28
Before the match, head coach Akira Okiyama affirmed that the whole team had gained valuable experience from previous games, especially in terms of composure when playing away. He shared: “The players always give their best, and this match against Indonesia, the hosts who are well-prepared both physically and mentally, is a chance for us to show our determination to win a medal.”
In this game, coach Okiyama made notable tactical adjustments by pushing Nguyễn Thị Linh Chi (No. 9) into the midfield. She linked up with defender Ngô Hải Yến (No. 13) and center-back Trương Thị Thảo Nguyên (No. 8) on the left flank. Forward Trịnh Yến Nhi (No. 15) started for the first time, leading the attack.
With strong determination, Vietnam U16 Women entered the game confidently despite facing heavy pressure from the home crowd. Just three minutes in, Ngọc Ánh (No. 11) made a surprise run forward and scored to give Vietnam a 1-0 lead.
However, in the 15th minute, hosts Indonesia capitalized on their physical strength to equalize 1-1 through Nafeeza (No. 10). The balance was maintained until the end of the first half.
In the second half, coach Okiyama bolstered the attack by introducing Minh Ánh (No. 10), Hà Yến Nhi (No. 5), Lê Thị Hồng Thái (No. 17), and Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Anh (No. 6). Despite these changes, Vietnam’s efforts were denied by Indonesia’s solid defense, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
In the tense spot-kick battle, the Vietnam U16 Women displayed composure and resilience, eventually prevailing 7-6 to secure third place at the tournament.
Reflecting on the result, coach Okiyama praised the unity and fighting spirit of his players and staff: “We wanted to finish the match within 90 minutes. However, the opponents played well, with strength and home advantage. Even under great pressure, our players stayed confident, didn’t lose spirit, and gave everything they had. Penalty shootouts are also a valuable experience. Playing away, under the crowd’s pressure, is not something that comes often, and the players handled it very well.”
According to the plan, the team will return to Vietnam tomorrow (August 30), concluding their campaign at the ASEAN U16 Girls’ Championship 2025. The players will have a three-day break during the National Day holiday (September 2) before regrouping to prepare for a training camp in Germany, aimed at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, which are scheduled to take place in October in Binh Duong.
The bronze medal at this tournament serves as a great source of encouragement for this young generation of players and marks an important stepping stone in the long-term development journey of Vietnamese women’s football.
