Stallion Laguna to Ho Chi Minh City, AFC Champions League women
Stallion Laguna landed at Tan Son Nhat on the afternoon of November 9, becoming the first team to be present for Group A of the AFC Champions League 2025/26 taking place from November 13-19 at Thong Nhat Stadium. Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club I is ready with 6 foreign players and goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh returning.
On the afternoon of November 9, Stallion Laguna Women's Club (Philippines) arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, becoming the first team to arrive in Vietnam to prepare for Group A of the AFC Champions League 2025/26. The matches of the group will take place from November 13 to 19 at Thong Nhat Stadium, giving home field advantage to Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club I.
Group A kicks off at Thong Nhat Stadium: schedule and opponents
Group A of the 2025/26 AFC Champions League features four teams:
- Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club I (host)
- Melbourne City FC (Australia)
- Stallion Laguna (Philippines)
- Lion City Sailors FC (Singapore)
According to the plan, Melbourne City FC and Lion City Sailors FC will arrive on November 10 and November 11 respectively. The entire group stage will take place between November 13 and 19, helping to focus the schedule and create a continuous competition rhythm for the teams.
Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club I: 6 foreign players, Kim Thanh returns
After successfully defending the domestic title, Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club I has strongly strengthened its personnel for the continental playground with 6 foreign players - a record number in the history of the club. The list includes four players who played last season: Aubrey Goodwill, Maria Khan (Pakistan), Sakura Yoshida, Tatiana Mason (USA) and two new players: Ouni Samia (Tunisia), Gorman Chloe.
In addition, goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh returned after playing for Thai Nguyen T&T. The “World Cup hero” of the Vietnamese women’s team is expected to strengthen the home team’s defense in the upcoming matches.
Tactical perspective: home advantage and depth
Thong Nhat Stadium provides an important foundation for ball feel and playing habits for TP.HCM I. In the context of Group A competing continuously for a week, having a deep squad with 6 foreign players helps the coach have more options to rotate and adjust personnel according to each opponent.
The return of Kim Thanh strengthens the penalty area and the ability to organize the back line, creating a foothold for the attackers to be more confident in the front. With the opponent's level spread across three different countries, the factor of adapting to the competition conditions and traveling is also a detail that the home team does not have to worry about.
Early presence of Stallion Laguna
Stallion Laguna's early arrival in Ho Chi Minh City shows their determination to adapt to the weather and field conditions before entering the dense schedule of Group A. This is also an opportunity for the Philippine representative to complete the final preparations.
Recent competition form: signal from Huynh Nhu
In the recent friendly match, Huynh Nhu scored, helping Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club win 2-1, causing the Vietnam Women's Team to lose in the return match in Hanoi. This goal was a positive highlight for the home team's attack before the continental tournament.
Route to welcome away teams
– 9/11: Stallion Laguna arrives at Tan Son Nhat.
– 10/11: Melbourne City FC expected to arrive.
– November 11: Lion City Sailors FC is expected to gather in Ho Chi Minh City.
All eyes are on the competition week from November 13 to 19 at Thong Nhat Stadium, where Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club I aims to have a solid start on the continental stage.
