AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 Qualifiers

Vietnam make light work of Tajikistan to secure berth in finals

Vietnam hardly broke a sweat to defeat Group B hosts Tajikistan 7-0 on Wednesday night (September 29) to qualify for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 as the group winners.

Vietnam captain Huynh Nhu celebrates with teammates after scoring their third goal. (Photo: VFF)
Vietnam captain Huynh Nhu celebrates with teammates after scoring their third goal. (Photo: VFF)

Ranked 100 places higher than their opponents, Vietnam demonstrated their superior power with a lopsided game, reaping a two-goal lead in the first half before adding five more in the second to book their place at India 2022.

In addition, the result keeps Vietnam’s bid for a maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification alive, while Tajikistan’s dream of a first ever trip to the continental finals has been extinguished.

Inspired by an opening 16-0 win last Thursday, Mai Duc Chung’s side deployed attacks right from the start, and it was Pham Hai Yen – the scorer of six goals against the Maldives - who opened the scoring in the 14th minute.

Vietnam squandered a number of opportunities before doubling their advantage in the 42nd minute with Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy scoring to set her team on course for the finals.

The result keeps Vietnam’s bid for a maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification alive. (Photo: VFF)

The Southeast Asian representatives continued to dominate ball possession after the interval and made the second half a true nightmare for the hosts.

Huynh Nhu beat goalkeeper Saiyora Saidova from the penalty spot in the 51st minute before Bich Thuy completed her double three minutes later to make it 4-0 for Vietnam.

Vietnam’s fifth goal arrived in the 73rd minute as Hai Yen took her personal tally to two for the night and eight for the week.

With six minutes left to go, Hoang Thi Loan and substitute Nguyen Thi Van both etched their names on the score sheet leading to Vietnam sealing a convincing 7-0 victory to become one of the 12 teams at January’s continental showpiece.