The article emphasised that the tournament looms as the gateway to a potential second appearance at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, a stage that represents both history and unfinished ambition for the Southeast Asian side.

Experts acknowledged that the women's side had spent the past 20 years building success largely out of the spotlight, guided by patience and with an eye firmly on the long term. At the most recent Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand, where nearly half the squad was refreshed with younger players without any significant drop in performance.

In a country where the men's game continues to dominate commercial appeal and media coverage, the women's domestic landscape remains compact, typically comprising six to eight clubs in the national championship.

However, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has prioritised continuity, investing in youth pathways and overseas exposure rather than rapid expansion.

Many of Vietnam's earlier generations of footballers emerged from loosely organised grassroots competitions, reflecting modest beginnings. In recent years, however, development has become more systematic.

Vietnam's senior women have been among Southeast Asia's most successful teams over the past two decades, collecting eight SEA Games gold medals since 2001 and three ASEAN (AFF) titles.

Their breakthrough on the global stage came with qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup — Vietnam's first appearance at the tournament.

Although results proved challenging, with three one-sided defeats, participation marked a milestone and underscored rising standards.

Coach Mai Duc Chung acknowledged that Vietnam sit in Asia's second tier, trailing established heavyweights such as Japan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Australia and the Republic of Korea.

According to the manager, the team must maintain strong determination and give maximum effort in every match to achieve positive results.

At the ongoing AFC Women's Asian Cup finals in Australia, Vietnam have been drawn with Japan, Chinese Taipei and India. For football observers at home and abroad, progression to the quarter-finals is viewed as a realistic objective.

A semi-final finish would secure direct qualification for next year's World Cup in Brazil. Even a quarter-final exit would still leave a play-off route open, meaning a fifth or sixth-place finish could suffice.

Reflecting on previous continental campaigns, including a challenging Asian Cup 2022 in India, Chung said the team had matured through adversity.

He said at this level, every team has lifted its standards and invested significantly in development.

Chung also acknowledged the role of supporters, particularly members of the Vietnamese community in Australia, whose presence he said would help offset the distance from home. The team will do their utmost for the national colours and for the spirit of Vietnam./. VNA