The 'Peppercorn Hero' Impression of the Vietnamese Women's National Team

The double from the 1.52m-tall Ngân Thị Vạn Sự enabled Coach Mai Đức Chung's squad to celebrate victory over India. The maturity of a star in her prime has opened the path to the World Cup dream for Vietnamese women's football on this anticipated, not-so-simple Australian campaign.

The victory at Perth Rectangular Stadium was not as easy as the FIFA ranking numbers suggested. The Vietnamese women's team entered the tournament with a higher standing than India, backed by experience from the 2022 Asian Cup and the 2023 World Cup feat. But top-level football is never just about the past. It's a test of the present, and Vạn Sự had a dazzling start that surprised many home fans.

Right from the opening minutes, Vạn Sự displayed abundant energy with her bursts of speed down the left flank. Alongside Thanh Nhã, this formed the energetic attacking direction for the Vietnamese women's team.

Vạn Sự is not tall, but the 25-year-old possesses agility and excellent maneuverability in tight spaces. In the 30th minute, from a half-chance, the 2001-born player unleashed a beautiful one-touch curler, tracing a perfect trajectory into the top corner past goalkeeper Panthoi.

Vạn Sự showed that her knack for scoring for the national team has grown over time. At the 33rd SEA Games, Vạn Sự also produced several superb goals to lead the Vietnamese women's team to the final.

The opening goal helped the Vietnamese women's team relieve pressure against India, but the second half unfolded a completely different script. After India equalized, the match became tense. The legs in red shirts began to grow heavier, especially as the opponent played with great intensity. At times, Coach Mai Đức Chung's players showed signs of fatigue, made mistakes, and lost their controlling rhythm.

In that context, Coach Mai Đức Chung's decision to let Vạn Sự play the full match demonstrated patience and absolute trust. He understood that big matches need moments from players who can create breakthroughs.

In the 90+4th minute, when many were thinking of a regrettable draw, her Hanoi Club teammate Vũ Thị Hoa surged to the byline and delivered a perfect cross. Vạn Sự appeared at the right moment, finishing coolly to seal a 2-1 victory. A combination steeped in the "shared language" of players who understand each other from club level. And that was also the moment affirming Vạn Sự's role in the current national team.

After the second goal, Vạn Sự was nearly exhausted. But that was enough to bring 3 crucial points for the Vietnamese women's team. This result temporarily places Coach Mai Đức Chung's side second in Group C behind Japan. Earlier, the tournament's top favorite had dominated Chinese Taipei 2-0.

The road ahead remains full of obstacles. Japan is the championship favorite, while Chinese Taipei is the direct competitor for second place in Group C with the Vietnamese women's team. The runner-up spot in Group C is seen as a promising ticket opening the door to the 2027 World Cup.

Coach Mai Đức Chung had reason to place faith in the maturing young players. In the context of Huỳnh Như having passed the peak of her career, the team needs figures capable of shouldering responsibility. Vạn Sự, at 25, is proving she is ready.

Besides Vạn Sự, the opening match also honored Coach Mai Đức Chung's choices as he understands himself and his players. Dương Thị Vân performed well upon her return, helping Vietnam's midfield be effective in duels. But it would have been more complete if she hadn't made the clearance error leading to India's equalizer. In a difficult match situation, Coach Mai Đức Chung showed patience in his attacking approach, and the Vietnamese women's team overcame adversity spectacularly following their prepared tactics.

Vietnamese women's football has produced many icons. But every generation needs new heroes. On Australian soil, under the pressure of a must-win opening match, the petite player Ngân Thị Vạn Sự stepped into the spotlight.

However, the journey at the 2026 Asian Cup is long, and the challenges ahead are much more severe. With moments like those on March 4th, fans have the right to believe the Vietnamese women's team is fighting not only with experience but also with the national pride and aspiration of players like Vạn Sự.

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