Ho Chi Minh City women's team determined to have a good start at the 2025-2026 Asian Cup C1

(Dan Tri) - Before the opening match of the 2025-2026 AFC Women's Champions League, coach Nguyen Hong Pham of the Ho Chi Minh City women's team set a very high determination.

Like last season, Coach Nguyen Hong Pham (former goalkeeper of the Vietnam national team, Chairman of the Coaching Council of the Ho Chi Minh City Football Federation) was registered as the head coach of the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Football Club, because Coach Doan Thi Kim Chi did not have enough qualifications, according to AFC regulations.

The opening match of the HCMC women's team this season is against Stallion Laguna FC (Philippines), at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow (November 13).

Coach Nguyen Hong Pham of Ho Chi Minh City Women's Football Club (Photo: VFF).

Before the match, coach Nguyen Hong Pham said: “At this time, the HCMC women’s football club is ready for the Asian tournament. The team members are very determined, we will try to overcome each match.”

“The team currently has 6 foreign players, they all integrate well with the local players. Before participating in the Asian tournament, the HCMC women's football club had two friendly matches with the Vietnam women's team in Hanoi . Our preparations went smoothly,” added coach Nguyen Hong Pham.

Philippine women's football is a strong football force in Southeast Asia. Therefore, the match against Stallion Laguna FC is not an easy match for the home team HCMC.

Coach Nguyen Hong Pham shared: “We have the return of goalkeeper Kim Thanh (from Thai Nguyen T&T Club). However, the HCMC Women's Football Club does not depend on any individual. Our strongest point is the collective spirit.”

Ho Chi Minh City women's team is a strong team at the Asian level (Photo: Khoa Nguyen).

“Our goal is to win the upcoming match. All our players, from the veterans to the new faces, are looking forward to this,” said coach Nguyen Hong Pham.

Meanwhile, coach Chandler McDaniel of Stallion Laguna Club said: “More than two years ago, I and the Philippine women’s team faced the Vietnamese women’s football team at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia. The Ho Chi Minh City team had many Vietnamese players.”

“I am very impressed with striker Huynh Nhu of the Vietnam women’s team and Ho Chi Minh City Club. We will do our best to prevent Huynh Nhu and her teammates from winning,” coach Chandler McDaniel affirmed.

In the group stage of the 2025-2026 Asian Cup C1, Ho Chi Minh City Women's Football Club is in Group A with Stallion Laguna, Melbourne City (Australia) and Lion City Sailors (Singapore). Group A matches will take place at Thong Nhat Stadium (Ho Chi Minh City), from November 13 to November 19. In the most recent season, Ho Chi Minh City Women's Football Club reached the semi-finals of the Asian Cup C1.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/doi-nu-tphcm-quyet-tam-khoi-dau-tot-tai-cup-c1-chau-a-2025-2026-20251112122521572.htm