Vietnam Women's Team: The China Training Camp and the ASIAD 2026 Equation

At a training ground in Suzhou, China, on September 2, under the blazing sun, Head Coach Hoang Van Phuc stood in the middle of a circle of players, holding a tactical board, talking about stability. The Vietnam women's national football team had just finished the national championship and entered a 10-day training camp ahead of ASIAD 2026. The atmosphere was somewhat tense, but it was a necessary tension for a team preparing for a major tournament. The context of this training camp is clear. After a short break following the domestic season, the coaching staff set goals to build a physical foundation, refine tactical plans, and most importantly, find stability in their style of play. Two friendly matches were scheduled during the camp: one against Jiangsu Nanjing women's club and one against the China women's national team. This is an opportunity for the coaching staff to comprehensively assess the capabilities of each player, test lineups, and review options before finalizing the official squad for ASIAD. Looking at the schedule, the pressure is immense. After concluding the camp in Suzhou on September 11, the team will travel to Japan to prepare for their opening match. The ASIAD 2026 women's football tournament kicks off on September 14, and Vietnam is placed in a group considered difficult, facing hosts Japan, along with Chinese Taipei and Thailand. The match schedule is dense: facing Chinese Taipei on September 14, Thailand on September 17, and Japan on September 21. The key to this campaign lies in the opening match. Chinese Taipei may not be as strong as Japan, but they are a well-organized and resilient team. This match is almost an early final for the group, as a victory would give Vietnam a significant advantage in the race to advance. Conversely, a slip-up would make things extremely difficult, especially with Thailand, a team that always plays with determination and knows how to cause problems for Vietnam, up next. I recall a few years ago, as a commentator at a regional tournament, I witnessed many Southeast Asian teams prepare meticulously but fail in crucial matches due to a lack of mental and physical stability. The Vietnam women's team is on the right track by focusing on physical foundation from the start, because ASIAD is a tournament with very high intensity, especially in the group stage when playing three matches in eight days. Another perspective I find noteworthy: choosing China as the training venue is not just about finding strong opponents. It's also a way for players to get accustomed to the weather conditions, pitches, and football culture of East Asia – where they will be competing at ASIAD. The friendly against the China women's national team will be a true test of class, as China is one of the strongest teams in Asia, known for their disciplined play and strong physicality. The result of this match will show where Vietnam stands on the Asian women's football map. Looking back at history, Vietnam's best achievement at ASIAD was fourth place in 2026. That's a proud milestone, but also a reminder that the gap with Asia's top teams is still significant. The Vietnam women's team cannot afford to be complacent with the past; they must focus on the present and the future. This training camp is an opportunity to build a new identity, a new style of play that can make a difference at ASIAD. Tactically, I believe Coach Hoang Van Phuc will need to make very careful calculations. Facing Japan, a team with superior ball control, Vietnam needs a clear defensive counter-attacking plan. Meanwhile, in the match against Thailand, an attacking formation and high-pressing capability will be key to securing a win. The ability to flexibly switch between different tactical formations will be a decisive factor. One point I want to emphasize: don't just look at the results of the friendlies. The most important thing is how the team operates, how players combine, and how they display confidence. I have witnessed many teams lose friendlies but play excellently in official tournaments, and vice versa. So, let's evaluate the Vietnam women's team based on their progress from match to match, not just on wins and losses in preparation games. The question is whether the Vietnam women's team can create a surprise at ASIAD 2026? The answer will depend on many factors: preparation, spirit, tactics, and a bit of luck. But one thing is certain: the coaching staff and players are doing everything they can to prepare best for the tournament. And that is the most commendable thing. The training camp in China is underway. Heavy exercises, tense friendlies, and long tactical meetings. All directed towards a single goal: being ready for ASIAD 2026. Can the Vietnam women's team get past the group stage, or even go further? Time will tell. But with what is happening, fans have the right to hope.