Vietnam’s women’s national team began the 2026 Asian Games (ASIAD) on 14 September with a 1‑2 loss to Taiwan at Shizuoka ECOPA, a result that deepened a recent rivalry. Historically the two sides have met ten times, with Vietnam holding five wins, two draws and three defeats; Taiwan’s 1‑0 victory at the Asian Cup in March 2026 had already created a “debt” Vietnam sought to repay. The opening match was crucial because the top two teams in each of the three groups, plus the two best third‑placed sides, advance to the quarter‑finals.
Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc’s squad arrived in Japan after three weeks of training in Vietnam, a ten‑day camp in China featuring friendlies against Jiangsu club and the Chinese women’s team, and three preparatory games in Hanoi. Key veterans such as Thái Thị Thảo, Phạm Hải Yến and Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy were backed by emerging talents including Minh Chuyên, Vũ Thị Hoa and Thu Phương. Forward Thanh Nhã, returning from a long‑term injury, scored in the 85th minute to narrow the gap, but the team could not equalise.
Post‑match, Phúc criticised the players’ composure and defensive lapses, especially under Taiwan’s early press, while praising the renewed confidence of the younger cohort in the second half. The defeat left Vietnam on zero points with a –1 goal difference, still ahead of Thailand (‑8) but trailing Japan (3 points, +8 GD) and Taiwan (3 points, +1 GD) in Group E. Vietnam now faces a decisive clash with hosts Japan on 17 September, followed by a match against Thailand on 21 September, where limiting the loss margin could keep their knockout hopes alive.