Vietnam suffers heavy defeat against Japan, eliminated from Asian Cup group stage

(Football result) - Vietnam women's national team could not create a surprise, losing heavily to Japan 0-4 and ending their journey early in the 2026 Women's Asian Cup.

Vietnam women's team started cautiously, actively retreating deep and conceding ball control to Japan from the early minutes. Under continuous pressure from the opponent, the red defense had to work hard. In the 21st minute, Japan opened the scoring when Riko Ueki utilized a favorable cross to head in near the goal. After conceding, goalkeeper Khong Thi Hang repeatedly showcased her saving skills, helping Vietnam trail only 0-1 after the first half.

Entering the second half, Japan's pressure continued to increase. At the 52nd minute, Maika Hamano shot near the goal to raise the score to 2-0 following a quick attacking situation. Vietnam women's team tried to adjust personnel by introducing Huynh Nhu onto the field at the 60th minute, hoping to find a goal to narrow the gap.

However, Vietnam's defense gradually weakened against the opponent's fast-paced play. At the 62nd minute, Aoba Fujino – a player currently playing for Man City – scored to raise the score to 3-0. Just minutes later, Kiko Seike added another goal at the 67th minute, helping Japan increase the lead to 4-0.

During the remaining time, Japan maintained significant pressure, but Khong Thi Hang continued to make notable saves. Nevertheless, Vietnam women's national team could not change the situation and accepted a 0-4 defeat when the match concluded, thereby officially stopping at the group stage of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup.

Full time, Vietnam women's national team 0-4 Japan

With this result, Vietnam women's national team could not become one of the 2/3 best-performing third-placed teams and was officially eliminated from the group stage of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup.

76' Defense strives to resist

Goalkeeper Khong Thi Hang is still saving well. Meanwhile, despite leading by 4 goals, Japan continues to relentlessly pressure Vietnam women's national team.

67' In, the fourth goal also arrives very quickly

Kiko Seike is the one who raised the score to 4-0. The players of Japan women's national team are still very energetic.

62' In, 3-0 for Japan

Aoba Fujino, a player currently playing for Man City, scores. Vietnam women's national team's defense shows signs of fatigue in the second half.

60' Vietnam women's national team substitutes

Huynh Nhu has been introduced onto the field. Just one goal would make the chance to advance clearer for Vietnam women's national team.

52' In, Japan raises the score to 2-0

Maika Hamano is the one who shot near the goal to raise the score to 2-0. The pressure Vietnam women's national team's defense is facing is immense.

46' Second half begins

End of first half, Vietnam women 0-1 Japan women

37' Vietnam women's national team defends resiliently

Another situation of lofting the ball into the penalty area and a very dangerous header. However, Khong Thi Hang still blocks it excellently.

30' Nooooo

Khong Thi Hang just made an excellent save; otherwise, Vietnam women's national team would have conceded the second goal.

21' In, Japan women's national team opens the match scoring

A cross placed perfectly into the penalty area and Riko Ueki easily heads near the goal, causing Vietnam women's national team to concede the first goal.

7' Cautious

Vietnam women's national team retreats deep defensively from the very first minutes and accepts conceding the entire game situation to Japan.

1' Match begins

Starting lineup for Vietnam women's national team:

Starting lineup for Japan women's national team:

Vietnam Women vs Japan Women: What time and where to watch live?

• Time: 16:00 on March 10
• Location: HBF Park Stadium (Perth)
• Competition: 2026 Women's Asian Cup group stage
• Live on: TV360, HTV

Notable information before the Vietnam Women vs Japan Women match:

Vietnam women's national team is pushed into a difficult situation in the competition for a ticket to advance in the 2026 Women's Asian Cup finals. Previously, many analyses suggested that if advancing from the group stage as one of the 2/3 best-performing third-placed teams, the path to securing a World Cup ticket would be easier than finishing second in the group.

However, now even securing a ticket to advance from the group stage is difficult for Vietnam women's national team. The loss to Taiwan in the previous match, as well as Uzbekistan and Philippines both having good performances, puts Vietnam women's national team at risk of elimination from the group stage if they suffer a heavy defeat against Japan.

If losing to Japan by a margin of 2 goals or more while Taiwan defeats India, Vietnam women's national team will only rank third and also cannot advance from the group stage, losing to Uzbekistan and Philippines in the ranking of best-performing third-placed teams. Naturally, these are two conditions very likely to occur at this moment.

How strong Japan women's national team is is understood by all. They easily crushed India 11-0 while Vietnam women's national team struggled to defeat this opponent 2-1. Taiwan, with its strength, is also not difficult to defeat India. Therefore, if Vietnam women's national team wants to have control over its fate, it must play very well against Japan, avoiding a too heavy defeat.

Expected lineup for the Vietnam Women vs Japan Women match

• Vietnam:Kim Thanh, Thai Thi Thao, Diem My, Tran Thu Thao, Tran Thi Duyen, Cu Thi Huynh Nhu, Thanh Nha, Duong Thi Van, Vu Thi Hoa, Bich Thuy, Van Su.

• Japan:Yamashita, Shimizu, Takahashi, Minami, Kitagawa, Hasegawa, Nagano, Tanikawa, Hamano, Tanaka, Fujino.

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