Ho Chi Minh City women's team defeated Vietnam national team 2-1, with Huynh Nhu opening the scoring.

Ho Chi Minh City Women's FC defeated the Vietnam Women's National Team 2-1 in the return friendly match at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center on November 4th. Huynh Nhu opened the scoring in the 15th minute after a high-pressure play and capitalizing on an opponent's mistake; Thanh Nha equalized for the team before Le Hoai Luong scored a beautiful long-range shot in the second half to seal the victory for the city team. This result allowed Ho Chi Minh City to avenge their 2-3 defeat in the first leg.

Key moments: pressing, decisive moment, and the winning shot.

Ho Chi Minh City FC entered the match with a proactive mindset, pushing their formation high to put pressure on the opponent's half. The results came early: in the 15th minute, taking advantage of a clumsy defensive play, Huynh Nhu – the captain of the Vietnamese national team – seized the ball and neatly finished to open the scoring. This goal demonstrated the difference in experience, the ability to sense opportunities, and the speed of decision-making of this striker.

After conceding a goal, Coach Mai Duc Chung's players reorganized their midfield, calmly escaped the pressing, and pushed forward on the flanks. Thanh Nha sealed a well-executed attack with a shot inside the penalty area, leveling the score at 1-1 for the Vietnamese women's national team.

The balance didn't last long. In the second half, as the team pushed forward, Ho Chi Minh City exploited the space behind the midfield. Defender Le Hoai Luong unexpectedly unleashed a powerful and accurate long-range shot, securing a 2-1 victory. This situation demonstrated that Ho Chi Minh City not only exploited pressing errors but were also prepared to punish them with shots from outside the penalty area.

Tactical analysis: the pressure from pressing and the second-line attack.

The biggest difference for Ho Chi Minh City came from their high-intensity pressing immediately after losing possession. Their compact formation and short distances allowed them to quickly close down opponents, forcing the opposing team's defense into making mistakes in dangerous areas – a precursor to the opening goal. When the opposing team adjusted by pulling players back to support their build-up, Ho Chi Minh City flexibly lowered their defensive block, maintained their distance, and waited for the right moment to unleash a finishing move from the second line.

Conversely, the Vietnamese women's team reacted well after conceding a goal. Their triangular pressing escapes, one-touch passes, and quick wing changes created space for their attacking players to cut inside. Thanh Nhã's equalizer was a product of this approach: occupying the 16.5-meter area at the right time and finishing decisively.

The second half revealed that the problem of controlling long-range shots and covering the space in front of the penalty area remained open for the team. When the midfield pushed forward, the space in front of the defense opened up, and a moment of quality play from Le Hoai Luong decided the match.

Selective statistics

• Score: Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club 2-1 Vietnam Women's National Team.
• Match date: November 4th; Venue: Vietnam Youth Football Training Center (Hanoi).
• Goal scorers: Huỳnh Như (15'); Thanh Nhã; Lê Hoài Lương (second half).
• Nature: Friendly match, second leg; first leg won 3-2.

Professional impact and upcoming schedule

Despite the loss, the match provided valuable material for coach Mai Duc Chung to evaluate his squad before the training camp in Japan on November 20th. The Vietnamese women's national team is expected to play five friendly matches there, aiming to finalize the team's lineup for the SEA Games 33.

For Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club, the victory against the national team holds great morale ahead of the group stage of the 2025/26 Asian Women's Club Championship, which will take place at Thong Nhat Stadium from November 13 to 19. After the tournament, key players including Huynh Nhu, Chuong Thi Kieu, and Quach Thu Em will rejoin the national team, strengthening the squad for the goal of defending their SEA Games gold medal.

Match schedule, objectives

• Vietnam Women's National Team: Training in Japan starting November 20th, 5 friendly matches planned.
• Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club: Group stage of the 2025/26 AFC Women's Club Championship at Thong Nhat Stadium (November 13-19).

Current situation at SEA Games 33

The Vietnamese women's team is in Group B along with Myanmar, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Testing personnel, refining pressing-breaking tactics, and protecting the flanks in front of the penalty area will be key tactical priorities from now until the tournament.

Overview of outstanding personnel

This season, Huỳnh Như continued her success with Ho Chi Minh City FC, winning the national championship. The striker's form, along with the return of key players like Chương Thị Kiều and Quách Thu Em after completing their club duties, promises to raise the level of internal competition within the national team ahead of the SEA Games.

The match concluded with a sense of fairness for a test of skill: Ho Chi Minh City was sharp and capitalized on moments; the national team gained valuable data for future adjustments. The road ahead – Japan and the SEA Games 33 – will be the benchmark for the lessons learned from these 90 minutes.