A formidable opponent emerges for Vietnam in the World Cup qualifiers.

An impressive showing against the favored Japanese team has unexpectedly positioned a group-stage rival of Vietnam as a daunting obstacle in the World Cup qualification battle.

The opening match of Group C in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 provided clear signals for the Vietnamese women's team about the challenges ahead. In their debut, Coach Mai Đức Chung's squad secured a 2-1 victory over India, temporarily placing them second in the group. Additionally, the resilient performance of Chinese Taipei against Japan is also a noteworthy detail.

The significant gap in FIFA rankings did not deter Chinese Taipei (ranked 40th) when facing Japan (ranked 8th). Despite Japan's overwhelming ball possession and numerous shot attempts, the Japanese women's team struggled to score against a disciplined and physically robust defensive system. While enduring heavy pressure and witnessing two shots hit the woodwork, Chinese Taipei maintained a tight defensive organization, preventing the match from falling apart.

In the second half, the scenario nearly repeated as Chinese Taipei continued to deploy a deep defensive block in front of their goal. It wasn't until the 61st minute that Japan broke the deadlock through a moment of individual brilliance, and they only secured the 2-0 victory in the 90+2nd minute. The tenacious performance against Japan's pressure demonstrates that Chinese Taipei is a genuine challenge, compelling the Vietnamese women's team to exercise extreme caution.

Given that the two teams will face each other in the next match on March 7th, this is considered a pivotal clash for the quarterfinal race and, ultimately, a spot in the 2027 World Cup. An opponent that is physically strong, disciplined, and ready to defend resolutely demands that the Vietnamese women's team maintain the highest concentration and improve their finishing efficiency to avoid paying a heavy price.

In reality, even after the win against India, Coach Mai Đức Chung acknowledged certain limitations. He shared: "This was a match between two evenly matched teams. We were somewhat luckier to secure the win." The head coach further emphasized: "When India equalized, the entire team did not lose composure," while admitting that a major issue was the failure to capitalize on opportunities effectively.

Midfielder Ngân Thị Vạn Sự, who scored a double, also affirmed the team's spirit: "The whole team played with over 200% effort." However, facing a Chinese Taipei side that has proven its defensive resilience against Japan, the Vietnamese women's team will undoubtedly require more than just determination—namely, composure, sharpness, and, crucially, vigilance in every decisive moment.