The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

By Staff reporters   May 16, 2023 | 12:05 am PT
Captain Huynh Nhu was again the hero as Vietnam won the SEA Games women's gold medal in football for the fourth consecutive time.
The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

Vietnam beat Malaysia 3-0 in the opening match of Group A. Pham Hai Yen scored the first goal, then Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy made it 2-0. The third was an own goal from Malaysian midfielder Jaciah Jumilis.

Vietnam have not lost in the opening match of the competition since 2007.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

Vietnam faced a much more difficult challenge in the second match, when they faced Myanmar.

In the 10th minute, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung made a pinpoint pass for Huynh Nhu to get a one-touch shot and scored. Myanmar equalized at the end of the first half and put an end to Vietnam's clean sheet streak at the SEA Games.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

The turning point came when coach Mai Duc Chung brought on Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha and Tran Thi Thuy Trang in the second half and both scored.

Nha easily tapped in from Hoang Thi Loan's cross, and Trang scored arguably the most beautiful goal of the entire group stage with a delicate chip shot.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

A 3-1 victory over Myanmar put Vietnam in a much more comfortable position in the so-called group of death, as the team only needed to avoid losing to Philippines by more than two goals in the last game to maintain the top spot.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

The final match of the group stage against the Philippines was also the most difficult challenge for Vietnam because the opponents were superior in physique.

The Philippines moved ahead when Sarina Bolden scored from the penalty spot in the 12th minute. Bich Thuy then equalized for Vietnam with a tap-in at the end of the first half. The opponents constantly crossed the ball into Vietnam’s box in the second half, utilizing their height advantage.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

Eventually, center-back Hali Long headed it in to seal a 2-1 victory for the Philippines.

Vietnam’s 14-match unbeaten streak at SEA Games was broken. However, this did not affect Vietnam's goal to top group A and reach the semifinals.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

Meeting Cambodia, a much weaker opponent, Vietnam had a big chance to advance to the final again.

The hosts caused some trouble for Vietnam in the first 15 minutes before the level gap began to show.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

Ngan Thi Van Su, Hai Yen, Tran Thi Thuy Trang, and Huynh Nhu wrote their names on the scoreboard, helping Vietnam beat Cambodia 4-0 and make it to their 10th SEA Games final.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

In the gold medal match on Monday night, Vietnam opened the scoring against Myanmar in the 12th minute. Tuyet Dung (number 7) broke the offside trap before passing the ball to Huynh Nhu to find the empty net.

Just like the previous SEA Games final last year, Huynh Nhu's goal was a simple one, but important as it gave Vietnam the lead.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

Huynh Nhu is the leading player in Vietnamese women's football with a total of 12 goals in SEA Games and 67 goals in 72 games in all competitions. With a ratio of nearly one goal per game, the fact that Nhu scored in two conscutive SEA Games finals is not a surprise.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

The talent of coach Mai Duc Chung was also once again demonstrated in the final. When Vietnam got pressed, he brought Thanh Nha on as a substitute.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

Once again Chung's decision-making was effective, when Thanh Nha sprinted down the right flank before chipping the ball over the Myanmar goalkeeper's head to make it 2-0.

The journey to a SEA Games record for Vietnam’s women football team

With this gold medal, the Vietnam women's football team set a record of winning in four consecutive SEA Games. The team’s next challenge will be the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which will take place in July and August in New Zealand.

 
 
go to top