With a grueling schedule of five matches in five days, head coach Nguyen Dinh Hoang carefully rotated his squad. In the group stage match against Thailand on November 20 to determine the top two positions, he fielded a team primarily consisting of substitutes. This decision allowed key players to rest, though Vietnam conceded a 0-3 loss.

In the final on November 21, both Vietnam and Thailand fielded their strongest lineups.

The two teams were evenly matched, creating a tightly contested and suspenseful game. During the 40 minutes of regular time, Vietnam held 50% possession and made 31 attempts on goal, 14 of which were on target. Thailand, meanwhile, recorded 29 shots, with 15 on target. Despite numerous opportunities, neither side managed to score during regulation time, forcing the game into extra time.

In the third minute of the first extra period, Phuong Anh struck from the sidelines. The ball deflected off a Thai player, changing direction and leaving the goalkeeper unable to react.

Buoyed by the lead, captain Tran Thi Thuy Trang and her teammates played with heightened confidence and determination. Goalkeeper Ngo Nguyen Thuy Linh showcased her skill with a series of brilliant saves.

However, in the second minute of the second extra period, a defensive misstep by Thanh Ngan resulted in an own goal, leveling the score. Thailand’s joy was short-lived, as just seconds later, Phuong Anh once again stepped up. She fired a quick shot from a corner kick to restore Vietnam’s lead.

In the remaining time, the Vietnamese players defended resolutely against Thailand’s aggressive power-play strategy. The team’s valiant efforts paid off as they secured the 2-1 victory, becoming the first-ever champions of the ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship.

After the match, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Executive Committee congratulated the team and awarded them a bonus of VND 600 million.

Awards at the 2024 ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship

Champion: Vietnam
Runner-up: Thailand
Third place: Indonesia
Top Scorer: Nguyen Phuong Anh (5 goals)
Best Player: Trinh Nguyen Thanh Hang

Thien Binh