Vietnam women step up preparations for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026
VOV.VN - Women’s national team has entered an intensified phase of preparations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, the first major tournament of 2026 for head coach Mai Duc Chung and his players.
At present, the coaching staff have increased training loads, focusing on improving physical conditioning, strength and speed, while combining these sessions with tactical and technical work to ensure the squad reaches peak readiness ahead of the tournament.
Speaking about the current training tempo, young forward Vu Thi Hoa of Hanoi FC said the coaching staff have increased intensity in recent sessions, with particular emphasis on fitness and strength-building exercises. According to the 2003-born striker, the heavier workload is a necessary phase to gradually build physical capacity and meet the demands of a high-intensity competition such as the Asian Cup finals.
“For me personally and for the whole team, when coach Mai Duc Chung increases the training intensity, the players can gradually improve fitness and strength to be ready for competition,” Vu Thi Hoa said.
Discussing her personal goals, the Vietnam forward acknowledged that she still needs to make progress in several areas. “I need to improve my quickness and add more strength in physical duels,” she noted.
Reflecting on lessons learned from recent matches, Vu Thi Hoa said the team had drawn valuable takeaways. “After the last two matches, the team learned many lessons and still needs to improve to play better. Personally, I will focus more to progress together with the team,” she said.
At the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, Vietnam have been drawn in Group C alongside Japan women national football team, India women national football team and Chinese Taipei women national football team. The tournament will take place from March 1- 21 in Sydney, Perth and Gold Coast.
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals.
Vietnam will play their group-stage matches in Perth, facing India on March 4, Chinese Taipei on March 7, and Japan on March 10 at Perth Rectangular Stadium.
Vietnam stun UAE, move closer to 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup finals
VOV.VN - The Vietnam women’s national football team defeated their UAE opponents 6–0 in their second qualifying match for the 2026 Asian Cup at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho province, on July 2 evening, moving a step closer to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup finals.
