Vietnam women's team is at risk of ending its SEA Games championship streak early.

The Vietnamese women's team suffered a bitter 0-1 defeat against the Philippines on the evening of December 8, at Chonburi Stadium (Thailand), thereby facing the risk of losing the right to decide in the race for a ticket to the semi-finals of the 33rd SEA Games. The only goal of the match was scored in the 94th minute, when a close-range header from a Philippine player left goalkeeper Kim Thanh unable to react.

Before the second match in Group B, the Vietnamese women's team had a smooth start with a devastating 7-0 victory over Malaysia, clearly demonstrating their ambition to defend the championship title that has lasted for 4 consecutive SEA Games. Meanwhile, the Philippines, after the opening defeat against Myanmar, was in dire need of 3 points to continue to nurture the hope of advancing. Therefore, the encounter took place with high decisiveness and in fact, it happened exactly according to the pressure-filled scenario.

For most of the match, the Vietnamese team controlled the game, creating more dangerous opportunities than their opponents. However, the red-shirted strikers lacked the necessary precision to convert those opportunities into goals. In fact, the Philippines only had one scoring opportunity during the entire 90 minutes, which was right at the beginning of the match when a player of this team shot over the bar in the center of the penalty area.

In the final minute of extra time, the lack of concentration in the women's defense caused the goal to be breached. The goal conceded at the decisive moment wiped out all the efforts of the home team throughout the 90 minutes, leaving Vietnam empty-handed despite playing better than their opponents.

The harsh results put the Vietnamese women's team in a difficult situation, at risk of being eliminated right after the group stage. After 2 matches, Myanmar has 6 points, goal difference +4; Vietnam has 3 points, goal difference +6; Philippines has 3 points, goal difference +0. In the final round, the Vietnamese women's team will face Myanmar, while the Philippines will play Malaysia.

The right to decide the ticket to the semi-finals will belong to the Philippines, because Malaysia is a weak opponent, with a level far below the remaining 3 teams in Group B. A victory of more than 3 goals will certainly bring the Philippines to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese women's team has only one way to continue, which is to beat Myanmar. A draw can help the Vietnamese women's team finish second in the group, in case the Philippines loses to Malaysia, this scenario is unlikely to happen.

If Vietnam wins against Myanmar and the Philippines defeats Malaysia, all three teams will have 6 points and will have to consider goal difference to determine their positions. At that time, Vietnam will definitely be in one of the two leading positions because of the advantage in goal difference.

The defeat to the Philippines was a wake-up call for the Vietnamese women’s team’s ambition to maintain their SEA Games title. Although the red-shirted girls were not lacking in determination in their playing style and fighting spirit, and were even superior for most of the match, their lack of sharpness in finishing and a moment of distraction cost them dearly.

Coach Mai Duc Chung and his players need to quickly regain their composure, analyze their mistakes to prepare for the match against Myanmar with the hope of a must-win. If they continue to play like they did against the Philippines, the risk of early exit from the SEA Games is entirely possible.

However, football always has miracles. If this time, the Vietnamese women's team overcomes the pressure, seizes the opportunity and re-establishes the accuracy in finishing, the opportunity to extend the SEA Games championship streak will flare up strongly again.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/tuyen-nu-viet-nam-co-nguy-co-som-dut-chuoi-vo-dich-sea-games-20251209061632394.htm