Coach Mai Duc Chung's notable statement ahead of the match against Japan

Coach Mai Duc Chung affirms that the Vietnamese women's team will strive wholeheartedly and meticulously prepare tactics for the challenging encounter with Japan in the final round of Group C of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup.

The Vietnamese women's team faces a significant challenge as they prepare to face Japan in the final match of Group C of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup finals. The match scheduled at 4:00 PM on March 10 is considered pivotal, directly impacting the chances of Coach Mai Duc Chung's squad to secure a spot in the next round.

After two rounds, the Vietnamese women's team currently ranks third in Group C. A 0-1 loss to Taiwan resulted in the red-shirted team losing their advantage in the race for direct qualification. However, opportunities remain open as the tournament format allows the two best-performing third-place teams to advance to the quarter-finals.

Currently, the Vietnamese women's team leads the group of third-place teams with 3 points and a goal difference of 0. Meanwhile, Philippines and Uzbekistan have yet to earn points and possess very low goal differences. This means that even if they avoid a heavy defeat against Japan, Coach Mai Duc Chung's team still has considerable chances to participate in the knockout stage.

Nevertheless, Japan undoubtedly presents a formidable challenge. The East Asian squad is regarded as one of the strongest teams continentally and globally, characterized by disciplined play and high technical quality. Therefore, the upcoming match demands that the Vietnamese women's team maintain utmost focus and exert maximum effort if they aim to create an upset.

Speaking ahead of the match, Coach Mai Duc Chung candidly acknowledged the difficulties awaiting the home team. He stated: “We must confront the formidable challenge posed by Japan, one of the strongest teams in Asia and the world. We greatly respect them, as well as other teams in the group, but this is the final group match and we will dedicate ourselves fully even when facing such a powerful opponent.”

The seasoned coach also emphasized tactical considerations and preparations for this crucial match: “Our previous match took place in the early afternoon under very hot conditions, but the next match starts at 5:00 PM, so conditions will be cooler. However, facing a top-tier team like Japan, every team must exert their utmost effort. We have faced the Japanese team multiple times. They always compete seriously and do not relent even when leading the group. I understand this, so every team must strive diligently. Naturally, within our team, we also need to employ tactics to find the best approach to secure points against Japan.”