Hai Yen scores as Vietnam women's national team beats Jiangsu Women's FC in China training friendly

On a training ground in China, where there is no grandstand pressure and no lights of an international stadium, the Vietnam women's national team still found a valuable moment. In the 14th minute, from a quick build-up out of their own half, Hai Yen received a pass in the central corridor, turned and finished neatly. The only goal of the match was scored. The friendly ended 1-0 in favor of the Vietnamese visitors, but what remains after 90 minutes lies not just in the scoreline. The training trip to China by coach Hoang Van Phuc's squad is part of the preparation plan for ASIAD 2026. This is the final phase for the coaching staff to evaluate personnel, test tactics, and build cohesion between the lines. With domestic leagues still running at their own pace, bringing the entire team to China to play against opponents with solid physical foundations and organization is a carefully calculated move. The match against Jiangsu Women's FC — one of China's most traditional clubs with one of the strongest squad depths — thus became a valuable reference test. It was no coincidence that the coaching staff kept the starting lineup intact throughout the first 60 minutes. That period was used to observe how the tactical system operates against an opponent with even quality, rather than chasing the scoreline. That patience reflects a long-term development philosophy instead of focusing on immediate results. In fact, the first half was fairly balanced. Jiangsu Women's FC had more possession and organized structured attacks with small-group combinations in midfield. They did not create too many clear chances, but they constantly applied pressure to test Vietnam's defensive resilience. Notably, the Vietnamese women's team never looked flustered. The players maintained a reasonable formation distance, covered each other in tight spaces, and limited the space behind the backline. Vietnam's approach clearly reflected a philosophy of proactive defending and rapid transition. When losing the ball, the whole team quickly retreated to organize the defense in front of the penalty area, not allowing the opponent any space for line-breaking passes. When regaining the ball, the players immediately accelerated the tempo, moving the ball forward through short combinations while minimizing unnecessary dribbling and risky decisions. It was precisely from such a transition that Hai Yen arrived in time to finish. Assessing Vietnam's performance, Jiangsu Women's FC coach Miguel Santos made some interesting comments after the match. He stated that the Vietnamese team had defended in an organized manner and transitioned well. The praise from a foreign coach with extensive experience working in China was not mere courtesy. His remarks accurately reflected what had happened on the pitch: a well-organized collective, aware of its identity, aware of its tasks, and not panicking under opponent pressure. These are qualities that cannot be built in just a few training sessions but must be cultivated over a long period of tactical development and identity building. However, Miguel Santos also pointed out areas for improvement. He said: The Vietnamese women's team needs to continue improving their attacking organization, especially their ability to control the ball, pass the ball, and create space. This assessment touches upon a core issue of Vietnamese women's football over many years: a good defensive foundation and fighting spirit, but limited ability to control the game and dominate possession against opponents of similar caliber. In major tournaments, when opponents have already figured out the defensive-counterattacking style, the lack of a proactive attacking option can leave the team in a stalemate. The reality in the match against Jiangsu showed that the Vietnamese team did not create many clear-cut opportunities. The goal came from a specific moment, but overall, the ability to produce moments of inspiration in open play remains limited. This is not surprising, as in training sessions the coaching staff often prioritizes defensive solidity before expanding the attacking game. Notably, coach Hoang Van Phuc made as many as 10 substitutions between the 61st and 87th minutes. This was a massive reshuffle. In official matches, such changes in a short span could disrupt team rhythm, but in a friendly designed for testing, this was a sensible approach. Players such as Ngoc Minh Chuyen and Hoang Loan were given playing time, thus earning the chance to demonstrate their abilities and compete for a place in the starting lineup. The coaching staff seems to want to see how the team reacts when key players are withdrawn and new faces are given opportunities. It would be concerning if the defensive line wobbled every time personnel changed. But that did not happen. Despite 10 substitutions, the Vietnamese team maintained solidity, neutralized the opponent's attacks, and preserved the scoreline. This proves that the tactical principles have been internalized, and whoever comes on, the system continues to operate according to the shared direction. In terms of squad management, this approach shows rare patience. Coach Hoang Van Phuc was not driven by the scoreline in a friendly match. Instead, he devoted the full first 60 minutes to observing and evaluating the core lineup, before using the final 30 minutes to test squad depth. Keeping the lineup intact for such a long period allows players enough time to adapt to the match tempo, while giving the coaching staff a clear picture of how each position fulfills its duties under real competitive conditions. The victory over Jiangsu Women's FC is considered a positive sign for the Vietnamese team's ASIAD 2026 preparation. It provides needed confidence before the team enters official competitions. However, experts and fans also understand that a friendly victory should not be overhyped. The real value of this match lies in the lessons learned and the information gathered about personnel and tactics — not the final score. In modern football, where teams increasingly rely on data analysis and performance optimization, an international friendly has become an important part of the preparation process. It helps players get used to match intensity and helps the coaching staff test tactical options against opponents of varying quality and playing styles. Jiangsu Women's FC, with its physical strength and solid organization, was an ideal sparring partner for this purpose. One of the most remarkable aspects of the match was the Vietnamese players' ability to maintain formation distance. Throughout the 90 minutes, the gaps between the lines remained stable. When the opponent attacked through the middle, the team quickly compacted, creating a dense defensive block in front of the box. When the opponent crossed from the flanks, the center-backs and full-backs covered for each other, preventing opposing forwards from finding space for headers. This tactical discipline is the result of serious training and is one of the key factors behind the victory. The mental aspect was also a bright spot for Vietnam. The players showed no sign of intimidation against a physically superior opponent. They pressed, contested, and fought until the final minutes. This resilient fighting spirit has always been an important part of Vietnamese women's football identity, and this match reaffirmed it. Looking beyond this match, the real challenge for Vietnam is finding the balance between defensive solidity and attacking flexibility. Top-level football demands that a team win in different ways. In some matches, a single goal from a set piece or a quick counterattack is enough. But in other matches, the team must control the tempo, build attacks methodically, and create many chances to win by a comfortable margin. To do so, improving ball control and attacking organization is a prerequisite. Women's football worldwide is developing rapidly. Top teams like the United States, Spain, England, and Japan keep raising the bar through investment in youth development, tactical innovation, and sports science. In that context, Vietnam's decision to organize international training camps and play against strong opponents is the right direction. Through matches like this one against Jiangsu, Vietnamese players gain experience and improve their level. The upcoming match between Vietnam and the Chinese women's national team, scheduled for September 9, will be a completely different challenge. Unlike a club team, the Chinese national team is one of Asia's leading sides, with a long tradition, deep talent pool, and clear tactical identity. This match will show how much Vietnam can withstand against a class-above opponent. It will be a much more accurate measuring stick than a match against a club, because the intensity and pressure of an international match are much higher. The biggest question is not whether Vietnam can defend well — that has already been proven — but whether the team can maintain concentration for the full 90 minutes and take the few chances that come their way against a top-quality defense. The biggest change in the Vietnamese women's team under coach Hoang Van Phuc does not come from major personnel changes, but from defining each player's role in the system. Everyone understands their tasks in each phase of the match. This clarity helps players make confident decisions under pressure and enables the team to operate as a unified block. High-level football requires not only individual skill but also game intelligence and seamless coordination. One of the most intriguing elements of this match was the contrast between two football schools. Jiangsu represents Chinese football with its heavy investment in physicality, size, and organization. Vietnam, in contrast, emphasizes agility, technique, and fighting spirit. Vietnam's victory somewhat demonstrates that sound organization and smart tactics can help a physically smaller team overcome a more powerful opponent. However, we must also acknowledge that Jiangsu may not have fielded their strongest lineup or may not have fought with full intensity in a friendly. Therefore, this victory, though valuable, should not be seen as an exact measure of the power balance between the two football nations. What matters most is what the Vietnamese team learned from this match to keep improving. For those who have followed Vietnamese women's football over the years, the visible progress in game management and tactical awareness is clear. The team no longer relies solely on fighting spirit and long balls as in the past. Instead, there is a more organized style with patterned ball circulation through the lines and combination play in midfield. This change did not happen overnight; it is the result of a long development process involving generations of coaches and players. With ASIAD 2026 approaching, finalizing the official squad becomes urgent. Competition for places in the lineup is positive because it pushes players to work harder in every training session and match. Performances like those of Ngoc Minh Chuyen and Hoang Loan when they were introduced against Jiangsu show that the team possesses a promising generation of players. The coaching staff's task is to skillfully blend the experience of veterans with the enthusiasm of young talents to create the strongest possible collective. The issue of sustainable development also deserves attention. Without a long-term, coherent strategy to develop women's football, immediate successes will only be temporary. Sustaining overseas training camps, increasing exposure to opponents from developed football nations, investing in youth tiers — all these must be seen as part of an overall plan, not isolated activities. The Vietnamese women's team is in an important development cycle, and maximizing this phase will determine the position of Vietnamese women's football in the region and continent in the coming years. On a deeper level, the success of the Vietnamese women's team has significant social meaning. It inspires young girls to pursue their dreams in sports, contributes to changing perceptions about women's roles in sports, and creates a positive model for the next generation. When the women players fight tenaciously and achieve good results against stronger opponents, they not only bring pride to fans but also enhance the country's image internationally. Returning to the match just played, the most valuable thing was not the victory but the calmness with which the Vietnamese team handled difficult situations. When the opponent pushed forward in the first half, the team did not panic, did not resort to blind long balls, but patiently built from the back. After taking the lead, the team did not drop too deep but maintained their structure and proactively pressed key areas. Such tactical maturity is a solid foundation for bigger goals in the future. Women's football is a field where professionalism is increasingly emphasized. Asia's top teams like Japan, South Korea, and China invest heavily in domestic leagues, thereby creating a steady stream of quality players for their national teams. Vietnam, despite resource constraints, is trying to close the gap through a smart development strategy, the dedication of coaches, and the determination of players. This effort deserves recognition and support. In a harsh football world where differences in physique and class often determine results, the Vietnamese women's team is gradually finding its own path, built on intelligent tactics and unity. Victories like the one over Jiangsu are small bricks in a long journey, helping the team build confidence and strengthen belief in the direction they are pursuing. The road ahead remains long and challenging. But with what they have shown, the Vietnamese women's team has the right to hope. What matters is to stay focused, improve every day, and above all, never become complacent with small results. Because in football, as in life, success is not a final destination but a continuous journey.