Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc of the Vietnam women's football team reveals the reason for not calling up Huỳnh Như for ASIAD 2026

Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc addressed the decision not to summon Huỳnh Như for the Vietnam women's team at ASIAD 2026. He acknowledged the high level of the 35-year-old forward but also highlighted the problems that have forced the team to look at alternative plans.

The fact that Huỳnh Như is not part of the Vietnam women's team for ASIAD 2026 has drawn significant attention. The striker, born in 1991, is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of Vietnamese women's football. However, Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc has straightforwardly explained his decision not to call up the 35-year-old goal scorer.

Assessing Huỳnh Như, Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc still holds great respect for the former captain of the Vietnam women's team. The coach stated that the coaching staff has closely monitored Huỳnh Như's performances for Ho Chi Minh City in domestic tournaments.

However, after monitoring her, Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc also pointed out the issues that prevented Huỳnh Như from being selected for the ASIAD 2026 campaign. According to him, the veteran striker's form this season has not been consistent: "Huỳnh Như's form this season while playing for Ho Chi Minh City has not been steady."

Besides form, age is also a crucial factor. Huỳnh Như has now turned 35, while ASIAD is a highly demanding arena requiring speed, stamina, and the ability to maintain match intensity.

The Vietnam women's team also faces very strong opponents at the continental level. Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc particularly emphasized the difference in standards when the team competes against top Asian football nations: "Playing at ASIAD, the level of the continental teams, especially Japan, is very high. Thailand is on par with us, and Chinese Taipei is also at a different level."

The coach of the Vietnam women's team also expressed regret that Huỳnh Như is no longer at her peak as she was a few years ago.

Nevertheless, the decision not to call up Huỳnh Như is also part of the generational transition plan for Vietnamese women's football. Previously, the team has bid farewell to many key players like Tuyết Dung and Chương Thị Kiều.

Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc believes the team needs to boldly seek new talents instead of relying indefinitely on the older generation: "Here, we are looking for new faces. It's a pity that about 2-3 years ago, when Huỳnh Như was at her peak, she was very useful for our team. We are in a period of generational transition and have selected some new faces, hoping they will gradually replace the seniors."

This is also an opportunity for young players to gradually prove themselves at the continental level. ASIAD 2026 is therefore not only a test of results but could also become a turning point in building a new framework for the Vietnam women's team.

Huỳnh Như's absence will certainly leave a big gap, but this decision shows that Vietnamese women's football must plan for the future. The legacy of the 35-year-old striker remains an inspiration, while the task of the next generation is to prove they are capable of following in the footsteps of their predecessors.