Mai Duc Chung remains at helm as Vietnam targets 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s women’s national football team will remain under the guidance of head coach Mai Duc Chung as they prepare for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, a crucial tournament in Vietnam’s quest to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the second time.
According to Nguyen Sy Hien, head of the National Coaches Council, veteran coach Mai Duc Chung’s extensive experience and respected reputation make him the ideal choice to lead the team
“Players are familiar with his coaching philosophy and methods, while the coach understands the capabilities, mentality, and individual traits of each player,” he said.
“Retaining coach Mai Duc Chung ensures continuity in leadership, strategic planning, and training methodology, providing the team with stability as they build on past achievements.”
Coach Chung will continue to balance experience with youth, integrating seasoned players alongside emerging talents. At SEA Games 33, this approach proved highly effective, combining two generations of players seamlessly.
The 74-year-old coach expressed his honour at continuing to receive the trust of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and reiterated his commitment to preparing the team for peak performance at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The tournament is scheduled for March 2026. Players are scheduled to hold their first training camp in China in January 2026, there they will play two friendly matches to fine-tune their performance.
A second training camp will take place in Australia, the host nation for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, including at least one friendly match to acclimatize to local conditions.
Following the expiration of his contract with VFF on December 31, 2025, head coach Mai Duc Chung’s continued appointment underscores the federation’s confidence in his ability to provide continuity in squad development, tactical strategy, and overall team growth.
VFF expects that maintaining stability on the coaching bench, combined with thorough preparations, will enable the women’s team to uphold their spirit, resilience, and ambition, further asserting Vietnam’s position in Asian women’s football.
Vietnam miss out on SEA Games 33 gold after penalty shootout loss to Philippines
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s women’s national football team failed to defend their SEA Games title after losing 5–6 to the Philippines in a penalty shootout in the final of SEA Games 33 on the evening of December 17.
