Vietnam's national team returns home after their World Cup qualification journey

The Vietnam U20 women's team has returned home after their journey in the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup 2026, wrapping up the competition with a quarter-final ticket and precious lessons to look ahead.

On April 12th afternoon, the Vietnam U20 women's team departed Thailand to return home, ending their campaign at the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup 2026 Finals. After the tournament, the entire team achieved the crucial goal of securing a quarter-final spot and accumulated significant experience at the continental-level competition.

According to the travel plan, the team was divided into two groups. The first group, including players Nguyễn Thị Thùy Linh, Đậu Nguyễn Quỳnh Anh, and assistant coach Trần Thị Kim Hồng, flew to Ho Chi Minh City. The remaining group traveled to Hanoi and will subsequently return to their localities to reunite with their respective clubs to prepare for the upcoming competitive phase.

At the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup 2026 Finals, Vietnam U20 women's team was placed in Group A alongside opponents China U20 women's team, Thailand U20 women's team, and Bangladesh U20 women's team. In their opening match, the players under coach Okiyama Masahiko faced a major challenge when they encountered China U20 women's team and suffered a 0-3 defeat against an opponent rated superior in both physique and experience.

In the second match, Vietnam U20 women's team met the host Thailand U20 women's team. Despite their determined efforts, the team could not create an upset and lost 1-4. The consolation goal for Vietnam U20 women's team was scored by Nguyễn Thị Thùy Linh, in an attacking situation that demonstrated the team's unwavering spirit.

In the final group stage match, Vietnam U20 women's team timely made their mark with a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh U20 women's team, with the sole goal scored by Thùy Linh. This result earned the team 3 points and qualified them to advance as one of the two best-performing third-placed teams, thereby securing a quarter-final berth.

Entering the knockout stage, Vietnam U20 women's team faced Japan U20 women's team —a top contender for the championship and the Group C winner. Despite diligently implementing tactics and playing with great effort, the Vietnamese representatives could not produce a surprise and accepted elimination after a 0-4 defeat. Nevertheless, the tournament is still viewed as a positive milestone, as this marks the second time Vietnam U20 women's team reached the quarter-finals since 2004, laying an important foundation for the young generation of players to look towards the future and broader goals at the national team level.