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India faces Vietnam: First win needed for WC hopes
3 Mar
Summary
- India aims to beat Vietnam for first time in competitive play.
- Vietnam has a strong record, reaching 10 successive Asian Cups.
- Both teams experienced COVID outbreaks during previous tournaments.
India and Vietnam commence their 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup journey on March 4, 2025, at Perth Rectangular Stadium. This opening Group C match presents a significant challenge for India, who have never defeated Vietnam in a competitive fixture. Vietnam, ranked higher and with a recent surge in performance, enters as the favored side.
Vietnam's women's team boasts a remarkable qualification record, reaching their tenth consecutive Asian Cup. They achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time after reaching the quarterfinals in the previous edition. India also faced disruptions, including COVID-19 outbreaks, and aims to improve on past tournament performances.
India's path to qualification for this Asian Cup included a victory over Thailand. Coach Amelia Valverde, recently appointed, faces the task of preparing her squad, which includes potential debutants. Key players for India include Manisha Kalyan, known for her pace and trickery, while Vietnam relies on experienced forwards like Huỳnh Như, their all-time leading scorer.
