The victory of the women's national team inspires the U22 Vietnam squad

15/12/2025 07:59:00 soccer

When the final whistle sounded at Chonburi Stadium (Thailand), the Vietnamese women's team completed their task with a 5-0 victory over Indonesia, marking their 11th straight qualification for the SEA Games final.

This was not only a technical win but also a powerful message and encouragement sent to the U22 Vietnam team before their semifinal match against the U22 Philippines this afternoon (15/12). Coach Mai Duc Chung decided to rotate the squad heavily, giving opportunities to many players who had not played much, such as My Anh, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Thu Thao, and Cu Thi Huynh Nhu.

Key experienced players Thanh Nha, Tran Thi Duyen, and Hai Linh were kept on the bench, ready to be brought on when necessary. This was a sensible strategy to preserve energy for the final stages while also confirming the depth of the Vietnamese women's national team.

From the very beginning, a one-sided game was established. Coach Mai Duc Chung’s players dominated possession, constantly pressing Indonesia with fast, short combinations and central penetrations. The relaxed mindset caused the Vietnamese women to miss several good opportunities. Bich Thuy and Hai Yen had successive dangerous shots but lacked accuracy or were blocked by goalkeeper Iris Joska. Indonesia defended with many players, crowding their penalty area. It wasn’t until the 28th minute that the stalemate was broken when Bich Thuy coolly converted a penalty to put Vietnam ahead 1-0.

The real turning point came early in the second half from an unexpected incident. Goalkeeper Iris Joska made a serious mistake by kicking the ball directly into Hai Yen’s head, allowing the Vietnamese women to double their lead. This "gifted" goal completely shattered Indonesia’s already fragile fighting spirit.

The Vietnamese women's team celebrated their victory, boosting the morale of the U22 Vietnam squad. Photo: Minh Dan

From that moment, Chonburi Stadium became a showcase for the Vietnamese women’s team. Hai Yen completed her brace with a well-positioned, precise close-range finish in the 58th minute. Bich Thuy continued to impress by scoring her second goal with a powerful header from a corner kick by Tran Thi Duyen, a substitute player. Between the goals, Coach Mai Duc Chung made several tactical adjustments by bringing on Huynh Nhu, Thanh Nha, Tran Thi Duyen, and Minh Chuyen, further unsettling Indonesia’s already disorganized defense.

Indonesia’s frustration was also evident when goalkeeper Joska was substituted and reacted angrily toward Coach Akira Higashiyama. In the 86th minute, the experienced veteran Huynh Nhu sealed the scoring fest with a clever run into the box and a delicate finish, finalizing the 5-0 win.

Coach Mai Duc Chung: ‘The Vietnam team fears no opponent in the final’

This was Huynh Nhu’s first goal at SEA Games 33, marking the veteran forward’s sixth consecutive SEA Games scoring and her sixth straight SEA Games final appearance with the Vietnamese women’s team, a rare milestone.

The victory over Indonesia sent the Vietnamese women's team into their 11th consecutive SEA Games final, affirming their enduring dominance for over two decades. With 8 championships in 13 SEA Games, Coach Mai Duc Chung’s squad still holds the record for the most gold medals, far ahead of Thailand with five more titles.

The dream of winning the 9th title, and the 5th consecutive one, is now very close on Thai soil. More importantly, this victory carries spiritual significance. It serves as a message to the U22 Vietnam team, who will face the U22 Philippines in the semifinal on the afternoon of 15/12. It would be perfect if both Vietnamese football teams reach the SEA Games 33 finals.

After the semifinal match, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Football Federation congratulated the women’s team and rewarded them with 500 million VND for reaching the final.

Semifinal results

Vietnam - Indonesia: 5-0

Thailand - Philippines: 1-1 (Philippines won 4-2 on penalties)

Schedule for 17/12

Third place match: Indonesia – Thailand (15:30)

Final: Vietnam – Philippines (19:30)

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