Huỳnh Như scored, causing the Vietnam women's national team to suffer a defeat.

Huỳnh Như scored, helping Ho Chi Minh City women's club win 2-1, which caused the Vietnam women's national team to be defeated in the second friendly match held in Hanoi.

On the afternoon of November 4th, at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center (Hanoi), the Vietnam women's national team lost 1-2 to Ho Chi Minh City women's club in the return friendly match. This result allowed the city’s representative to avenge their previous 2-3 loss in the first leg, with striker Huỳnh Như once again demonstrating her high level through an outstanding performance.

Right from the start, Ho Chi Minh City women's club took initiative, applying high pressing that troubled the Vietnamese defense. Taking advantage of the opponent’s mistake, Huỳnh Như quickly stole the ball and finished precisely to open the scoring. This goal highlighted her consistent form and leadership role as captain both at the club and national team levels.

After conceding, the Vietnam women's national team pushed forward to equalize and was rewarded when Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã scored inside the penalty area, leveling the score at 1-1. However, Ho Chi Minh City women’s club maintained control and capitalized on their chances. In the second half, defender Lê Hoài Lương unleashed a beautiful long-range shot, securing a 2-1 victory for the city team.

This defeat provided valuable technical data for coach Mai Đức Chung during the player evaluation process. According to the plan, the Vietnam women's national team will head to Japan for training starting November 20, playing five friendly matches to finalize the squad, aiming to defend the gold medal at SEA Games 33. Prior to that, the team will have three additional practice matches against Ho Chi Minh City women’s club and two amateur teams from Bắc Ninh and Sơn Tây during the last two weeks of training at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center.

Meanwhile, coach Đoàn Thị Kim Chi’s squad is actively preparing for the Asian Women’s Club Championship group stage 2025/26, taking place from November 13 to 19 at Thống Nhất Stadium. Key players like Huỳnh Như, Chương Thị Kiều, Quách Thu Em, among others, will return to the national team after completing their duties in the continental competition.

Regarding the current squad, coach Mai Đức Chung commented: “Some players have joined the national team 4-5 times but are still in the process of adapting. Hopefully, through the upcoming training camp, they will improve by training alongside the more experienced players.” He also hopes that the group of seven players from Ho Chi Minh City Club I, after participating in the Asian Champions Cup, will quickly integrate and strengthen the overall team as they prepare for SEA Games 33.