Vietnam held to draw by Taiwan, win AFC Women’s Futsal Cup final spot

Before entering the final match, both teams were tied with 6 points, but Vietnam led the group due to a superior goal difference.

With a higher ranking and better skill level, Vietnam (World No. 11) dominated the match in the early minutes, with Phuong Anh’s shot hitting the post of Taiwan’s goal.

However, it was Taiwan who opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a lightning-quick shot by Chen Min Huang.

After conceding the goal, coach Nguyen Dinh Hoang immediately called for a timeout, and this tactical adjustment helped Vietnam earn an equalizer just one minute later.

The equalizing goal was a stunning display of teamwork. Veteran player Thuy Trang delivered a precise pass to the right wing, where Bien Thi Hang crossed the ball for Thanh Ngan to fire a direct shot past goalkeeper Chu Gang Yi.

Taiwan extended their lead in the 17th minute with an equally impressive play. Su Hui Chi's corner kick set up Lin Dai Chi’s clever backheel, creating an opportunity for Liu Chih Ling to score with a low shot from the 6-meter line.

In the second half, Vietnam launched relentless attacks in search of an equalizer. However, Taiwan adopted a slow and cautious defensive strategy to preserve their lead, frustrating the Vietnamese efforts.

This forced Vietnam to resort to a power-play strategy in the final minutes, and rheir persistence paid off when Bien Thi Hang scored the equalizer with just 90 seconds remaining.

With this 2-2 draw, Vietnam maintained their top spot in Group D with 7 points from three matches. Taiwan also finished with 7 points but ranked second on goal difference.

The final round of the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Championship will take place in May 2025 in China. Vietnam aims to finish among the top three teams to secure a spot in the 2025 Women’s Futsal World Cup, scheduled for later this year in the Philippines.