Thailand coach promises to meet Vietnam in the final, coach Mai Duc Chung 'Huynh Nhu hasn't scored yet, but...'

After the Vietnamese women's team defeated Thailand in the final match of the AFF Cup 2025 group stage, coach Mai Duc Chung affirmed that the placement of Huynh Nhu as a midfielder was a tactical decision.

Coach Mai Duc Chung

The Vietnamese women's team defeated Thailand 1-0, thereby closing the group stage of the AFF Cup 2025 with the top spot and 3 wins in a row. Coach Mai Duc Chung and his team won all 9 points, scored 14 goals and did not concede any. The Vietnamese women's team also extended their unbeaten streak against Thailand in all competitions that has lasted for more than a decade.

The only goal of the match was sparked by striker Huynh Nhu. The striker born in 1991 dribbled past the player on the right wing, then crossed the ball for defender Thu Thao to score. According to coach Mai Duc Chung, whether Huynh Nhu scores or not is not a problem for the Vietnamese women's team.

Huynh Nhu (number 9) created the only goal to help the Vietnamese women's team beat Thailand.

PHOTO: MINH TU

"Football is a team sport. Even though Huynh Nhu hasn't scored yet, I still let her start for a reason. Even though she's old, Huynh Nhu has the ability to hold the ball steadily, has experience and the ability to create play. In this match, Huynh Nhu played as a midfielder and let Bich Thuy play as a striker because she has good speed," coach Mai Duc Chung explained.

Coach Mai Duc Chung's plan worked, as Huynh Nhu assisted, and Bich Thuy had two chances to almost score against Thailand. According to coach Mai Duc Chung, the Thais played their best, and did not hide anything in the final match of the group stage.

"The Thai women's team focused on defensive counterattacks and had no intention of hiding their cards. However, we defended well so they could not score. Unfortunately, Ngan Thi Van Su suffered a thigh strain in this match. Meanwhile, midfielder Duong Thi Van is still injured and cannot play. Van suffered an medial ligament injury so she will miss the AFF Cup, probably needing 2 to 3 weeks to recover. To replace Duong Thi Van, the Vietnamese women's team still has Hai Linh. Today Linh played her role well," coach Mai Duc Chung assessed.

Mr. Chung was also happy when the audience filled the stadium to support the Vietnamese women's team in the match against Thailand.

Coach Mai Duc Chung

PHOTO: MINH TU

"The number of 25,000 spectators reminds me of the final match in 2003, when fans packed the stadium. Thanks to the fans, we have more confidence. Hopefully, in the next matches, the audience will come in even larger numbers," Mr. Chung confided.

Thailand Coach: Vietnam Women's Team is Very Strong

"The Vietnamese women's team is a strong team. Before the match, they also had 6 points like us. Therefore, it was very difficult for Thailand to gain points. Anyway, the players showed their full potential," coach Futoshi Ikeda of the Thai women's team shared after the defeat.

The Japanese strategist denied hiding any cards against the Vietnamese women's team. According to him, Thailand tried their best.

"In every match, we always use the best personnel, and have no intention of hiding anything. Once on the field, every player is important," said Mr. Ikeda. The Thai coach also hopes to meet Vietnam again in the final of the AFF Cup 2025, waiting for both teams to win tickets to the semi-finals.

"Definitely, if we meet Vietnam again in Hai Phong , with the support of the fans, it will be a good match. Of course, if we meet Vietnam again, we really want to win. Today's match is a lesson for the young players.

Currently, Group B has 3 teams holding the chance to continue, so we cannot know in advance which team will take the lead. The Thai women's team will prepare well for the match against the top team," coach Futoshi Ikeda affirmed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-thai-lan-khen-nu-viet-nam-hlv-mai-duc-chung-huynh-nhu-chua-ghi-ban-nhung-1852508122151371.htm