TPHCM I aims for the quarterfinals, facing Stallion Laguna.

At 7:00 PM on November 13th, Ho Chi Minh City I will host Stallion Laguna (Philippines) at Thong Nhat Stadium in their opening match of Group A in the AFC Champions League 2025/26. The Vietnamese representative aims to advance to the quarterfinals and considers this opening match a crucial stepping stone. In the technical area, Coach Nguyen Hong Pham is the head coach, while Coach Doan Thi Kim Chi is an assistant coach as she does not yet possess the A-level coaching certificate issued by the Asian Football Confederation.

Home advantage and preparation time.

Playing at Thong Nhat Stadium gives Ho Chi Minh City I a clear advantage. Before kick-off, coach Nguyen Hong Pham emphasized the significance of the venue and the step-by-step goals:

"This tournament aims to promote and develop women's football in Asia, as well as in each country, and especially to help the Vietnamese women's national football team develop more professionally."

Regarding preparation, he said the team had virtually no interruption after the domestic season ended:“After the national championship season, we only rested for a few days before returning to training in Hanoi, where we had two friendly matches with the Vietnamese women's national team. The good news is that all the players are in top form and highly determined to achieve the best possible results. We focus on each match individually, striving to meet our targets.”

6 foreign players and squad depth

TPHCM I registered 6 foreign players for this year's continental season, 2 more than last season. According to coach Nguyen Hong Pham, this squad quickly integrated into training and daily life:

“We have six foreign players, including four veterans and two new ones. They have all integrated quickly into training and daily life. The team's greatest strength is its unity, determination, and never-give-up spirit. We all aim for the single goal of achieving the best possible results in every match.”

The addition of new players helps the team increase internal competition and provides rotation options during the busy group stage schedule.

The voice of leadership from Huynh Nhu

Captain Huynh Nhu affirmed that the entire team has set clear goals for this tournament:

“Coming to this tournament, Nhu and the whole team aim to win each match and advance to the next round. The team welcomes back old teammates and has two new ones, creating a very exciting and joyful atmosphere during training. I believe this will be the motivation for the whole team to work harder and compete more. Fans will see a Ho Chi Minh City FC with a fresh new look and even more passion in their matches.”

That mindset aligns with the coaching staff's direction: focusing on each 90-minute period, leveraging home advantage to build momentum toward the quarter-finals.

Expertise: the coaching bench and organization

The fact that Coach Nguyen Hong Pham directly leads the tactical planning, while Coach Doan Thi Kim Chi acts as an assistant due to professional qualifications, demonstrates a flexible operational structure that still ensures compliance with AFC regulations. This event also highlights the increasing professionalism of Vietnamese women's football in meeting continental standards.

Selected statistics before kick-off.

• Time: 7:00 PM, November 13th
• Location: Thong Nhat Stadium
• Opponent: Stallion Laguna (Philippines)
• Tournament: Group A, AFC Champions League 2025/26
• Preparation phase: 2 friendly matches against the Vietnamese women's national team.
• Squad: 6 foreign players (4 veterans, 2 new)

Expected impact

The opening match not only determined the rhythm of Ho Chi Minh City I's performance in Group A but also provided an opportunity for the team to showcase a "new wave," as captain Huynh Nhu put it. With home advantage, the addition of foreign players, and continuous preparation, the Vietnamese representative aimed to control risks, maximize every point, and reach the quarter-finals as planned.