Vietnamese forward scores most goals at Women's Asian Cup qualifiers

"The pandemic had played a key role in her inability to score internationally for almost two years, but Pham Hai Yen more than made up for it in Dushanbe, producing the barely believable return of: two games, 135 minutes, eight goals," AFC wrote.

In the first game of group B on September 23 where Vietnam thrashed Maldives 16-0, Yen scored six goals despite only playing the second half. She continued her streak Wednesday by adding two more in the 7-0 win against Tajikistan as Vietnam sealed its qualification ticket to Women's Asian Cup next year.

"Long considered a lethal finisher at both domestic and regional level, Hai Yen will be looking to make her mark on the highest continental stage, and perhaps lead ever-improving Vietnam to a first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup," said AFC.

2022 Women’s Asian Cup is set to take place in India from Jan. 20 to Feb. 6 next year. It will be the 20th edition of the tournament.

For the first time ever, the tournament was expanded from eight teams to 12. The top five teams of the tournament will qualify directly for Women’s World Cup.