Defeating host Indonesia, Vietnam Women's U16 won the Bronze Medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian Women's U16 Championship

Vietnam's U16 women's football team defeated Indonesia on penalties to win third place in the Southeast Asian U16 women's football tournament. Photo: VFF

Before the match, coach Akira Okiyama affirmed that the team had accumulated a lot of experience from previous matches, especially the courage to play away. He shared: “The players always try their best and the match against Indonesia, the home team has good physical and mental preparation, is an opportunity for us to show our determination to win medals.”

In this match, Coach Okiyama continued to make notable tactical adjustments when pushing Nguyen Thi Linh Chi (No. 9) to play as a midfielder. She coordinated with defender Ngo Hai Yen (13) and center back Truong Thi Thao Nguyen (8) on the left wing. Striker Trinh Yen Nhi (15) was put on the field for the first time from the start, leading the attack.

Entering the field with high determination, the U16 Vietnamese women's team entered the match with confidence despite facing pressure from the Indonesian audience. In the 3rd minute, Ngoc Anh (11) suddenly joined the attack and scored the opening goal 1-0, creating an early advantage for the red team.

However, in the 15th minute, the home team Indonesia used their physical advantage to equalize 1-1, with a goal by Nafeeza (10). The stalemate continued until the end of the first half.

The Vietnam U16 women's team will return home tomorrow (August 30), ending their journey at the 2025 Southeast Asian U16 Women's Championship. Photo: VFF

In the second half, Coach Okiyama increased his attack by sending players Minh Anh (10), Ha Yen Nhi (5), Le Thi Hong Thai (17) and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh (6). However, Indonesia's tight defense prevented Vietnam from converting their chances into goals, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.

In the nerve-wracking penalty shootout, the Vietnamese U16 women's players showed their steadfastness to win 7-6, thereby taking third place overall at the tournament.

Evaluating the team's performance, Coach Okiyama said that the players and coaching staff were united and fought together. "We wanted to finish the match within 90 minutes. However, the opponent played well, strongly, and had home field advantage. Despite the high pressure, our players were confident, did not lose heart, and fought with all their might. Penalty kicks were also a very good experience for the players. Away from home, under the pressure of the audience, this opportunity does not always exist and the players performed well," said Coach Okiyama.

According to the plan, the whole team will return to Vietnam tomorrow (August 30), ending the journey at the 2025 Southeast Asian Women's U16 Championship. The players will have 3 days off on the occasion of National Day, September 2, before reuniting to prepare for a training trip in Germany towards the 2026 Asian Women's U17 qualifiers, scheduled to be held in October in Binh Duong .

The bronze medal at this tournament is a great source of encouragement for the young players and an important stepping stone for the development of Vietnamese women's football in the future.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/thang-chu-nha-indonesia-u16-nu-viet-nam-gianh-huy-chuong-dong-giai-u16-nu-dong-nam-a-2025-714546.html