Chuong Thi Kieu unexpectedly mentioned by AFC ahead of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup

25/12/2025 14:55:00 esportapi

Vietnamese women's national team center-back Chuong Thi Kieu was unexpectedly recognized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as one of the standout players expected to shine at the 2026 Women's Asian Cup, which will be held in Australia in March 2026.

"A pivotal figure in the strong advancement of Vietnamese women's football, she has played a significant role in boosting the progress of both the team and the entire football community. Her most iconic moment came at the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022, when her goal in the 2-1 victory over Chinese Taipei secured Vietnam's first-ever ticket to the FIFA Women's World Cup.

At the club level, she continued to leave her mark by scoring against Abu Dhabi Country Club, helping Ho Chi Minh City FC, in their debut, reach the semifinals of the AFC Women's Champions League 2024/25.

The Vietnamese defender has become a symbol of a rapidly growing football nation."

Chuong Thi Kieu is anticipated to shine at the 2026 Asian Cup. Photo: AFC

This is what the AFC’s official website wrote about Chuong Thi Kieu, placing her alongside fellow defenders such as Jang Sel-gi (South Korea), Azusa Iwashimizu (Japan), Steph Catley (Australia), Wu Haiyan (China), Ashalata Devi (India), Duangnapa Sritala (Thailand), Clare Polkinghorne (Australia), Ellie Carpenter (Australia), Saki Kumagai (Japan), Aya Sameshima (Japan), and Wen Lirong (China).

Chuong Thi Kieu underwent surgery on both knees simultaneously in September 2022. The leading defender of Vietnam’s women’s team suffered a posterior cruciate ligament tear in her left knee, an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, and a root tear of the lateral meniscus in her right knee after a prolonged period of intense competition, contributing significantly to the achievements of Vietnamese women's football.

Not fully recovered, Chuong Thi Kieu was unable to play in all three group stage matches of the AFC Women's Champions League 2025/26 recently held at Thong Nhat Stadium for Ho Chi Minh City FC. Consequently, coach Doan Thi Kim Chi had to start defender Cu Thi Huynh Nhu or bring Nguyen Thi Kim Yen on from the bench.

This is also why coach Mai Duc Chung was forced to exclude Chuong Thi Kieu from the Vietnam women's national team roster for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, meaning she missed the SEA Games for the second time.

At the 2026 Women's Asian Cup final stage, the Vietnam women's team is in Group C alongside India, Chinese Taipei, and Japan. All matches for coach Mai Duc Chung’s squad will be held at Perth Rectangular Stadium.

Vietnam women's team match schedule (Vietnam time):

18:00 March 4, 2026: Vietnam vs India

12:00 March 7, 2026: Vietnam vs Chinese Taipei

16:00 March 10, 2026: Vietnam vs Japan

According to AFC rules, the results at the 2026 Women's Asian Cup final will determine Asia’s slots for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Therefore, participating in the continent’s premier tournament not only carries prestige but also provides an opportunity for the Vietnam women's team to keep their hopes alive for qualification to the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.

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