Vietnam Women's Team vs Japan: When the Storm Comes, We Choose to Stand Firm

In the tunnel leading to the stadium, there was no cheering. Only the sound of heavy footsteps and rapid breathing. The Vietnamese women's players stepped out, their eyes looking straight ahead, no one speaking a word. After the 1-2 defeat to Chinese Taipei in the opening match, the atmosphere in the team changed completely. It was no longer the excitement of the first day of the tournament, but the tension of a life-or-death battle. Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc stood at the end of the line, placing his hand on each player's shoulder, as if passing on a bit of warmth before the storm. In three days, they would face Japan, the host team, the team that crushed Thailand 8-0. The match takes place at 17:30 on September 17, and it will decide their fate at ASIAD 20. ASIAD 20, Asia's largest sporting event, brings together the strongest teams. Group E of women's football is considered a "group of death" with the presence of Japan, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, and Vietnam. Before the tournament, experts considered Japan the number one candidate for the championship. They possess a squad with many players competing abroad, along with their characteristic technical passing style. The 8-0 victory over Thailand in the opening match was not just a result, but a declaration of war. It showed the destructive power of the team from the Land of the Rising Sun. For Vietnam, the 1-2 loss to Chinese Taipei put them in a difficult position. To advance, they need at least one point against Japan, or if they lose, they must lose by a minimal score and hope for results in other groups. The format of ASIAD 20 allows the top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams to reach the quarterfinals. This means Vietnam still has a chance, but it is as fragile as a thread. They need a resilient performance against Japan to maintain their goal difference, while also showing their fighting spirit. Japan, the host team, has the advantage of playing at home and the support of the fans. They proved their strength with the 8-0 win over Thailand. Their playing style is based on ball control, flexible group combinations, and the ability to create continuous pressure. The speed and technique of the Japanese players, from defense to attack, are of a high standard. They can switch from defense to attack in seconds, and their one-touch combinations often confuse opponents. For Vietnam, facing Japan is a great challenge, but also an opportunity to learn and grow. In the past, Vietnam and Japan women's football have met many times. Japan often won by large margins, but it was not always easy. In 2026, at the Women's Asian Cup, Vietnam lost 0-4 to Japan. In 2026, at ASIAD, the score was 0-7. But in 2026, at the Women's Asian Cup, Vietnam had a resilient match and only lost 0-3. The progress is clear. Our girls have learned how to compete against the top teams in the continent. They are no longer afraid of big names. Qualifying for the 2026 Women's World Cup for the first time proved the remarkable progress of Vietnamese women's football. We are no longer a team to be bullied. Tactically, Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc is likely to build a tight formation, prioritizing defense. A 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 formation may be used to reinforce the defense. The most important thing is to maintain the distance between the lines and limit the gaps behind the defense. In the match against Chinese Taipei, Vietnam exposed gaps when the full-backs pushed high, and Japan with smart runs will punish any mistake. The defense needs to play with concentration, not losing their markers in the box. In midfield, Vietnam needs a player to play the anchor role, capable of intercepting and distributing the ball. Thanh Nhã, with her speed and dribbling ability, can be the spearhead of counterattacks. Bích Thùy, with her experience, will be the one to set the rhythm for the midfield. Hải Yến, if present, will bring creativity. However, for these individuals to shine, the whole team needs to defend with high concentration. Japan will not easily let Vietnam have the ball. They will impose their game, press high, and quickly recover the ball when lost. This requires Vietnam to be able to withstand pressure and make the most of rare opportunities. Set pieces can be the shortest path to creating a breakthrough. A corner kick, a direct free kick, or even a throw-in turning into a goal. Football is sometimes decided by the smallest details. Based on my experience following matches, I have noticed that in confrontations with strong teams, the Vietnamese women's team often plays with an unyielding spirit. They may lose, but they never give up. That is a precious quality. Against Japan, the most important thing is to stay focused and limit mistakes. Every goal conceded can affect the goal difference, and in a race for a wildcard spot, goal difference can be the deciding factor. Thanh Nhã, the winger of the Vietnamese women's team, is one of the fastest players. She has the ability to dribble past opponents and create breakthroughs. In the match against Chinese Taipei, she was one of the few bright spots. Against Japan, Thanh Nhã will be the hope in attack. If she can exploit the gaps that the Japanese defense leaves, opportunities may come. Her confidence will be the key. However, there is another perspective. Sometimes, focusing too much on limiting goals conceded makes the team passive and more vulnerable. If Vietnam only defends deep, Japan will have enough time and space to deploy their game. Perhaps, instead of aiming for a clean sheet, Vietnam should proactively attack at certain times. A goal against Japan would have great spiritual value, and it could also help improve the goal difference if we lose by a minimal score. Another point to note is the psychology of the players. After the defeat to Chinese Taipei, the team's spirit may be affected. The pressure to get points against Japan is huge. But pressure can also be motivation. Young players like Thanh Nhã, who are in their prime, can turn pressure into strength. They need to be freed from fear and play with confidence. I remember a quote from a famous coach: "Football is a game of mistakes." Japan can also make mistakes. They can be complacent, they can lose focus. The important thing is that Vietnam must be ready to punish them. In the past, there have been matches where weaker teams created surprises against Japan. Why not Vietnam? The history of confrontations between the two teams has seen many heavy defeats for Vietnam, but also matches where we caused no small difficulties. Japan, although strong, is not without weaknesses. Their defense sometimes appears lax in aerial situations. If Vietnam takes advantage of corner kicks, opportunities may come. In addition, playing with a dense schedule can cause the Japanese players to lose stamina in the second half. Vietnam needs to be patient and wait for the opportunity. A mistake by the opponent can be the turning point of the match. In Vietnam, although the match takes place far away, fans are still following every minute. Cafes, small houses, smartphones are all directed at the screen. Fans cannot come to the stadium, but they send their faith through comments and shares on social media. They know the women's team is facing a great challenge, but they still wait for a miracle. Because football is not just a game of 11 people on the field, but of an entire nation. Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc is known as a cautious strategist. He always puts certainty first, especially in matches against strong opponents. In the past, he has helped the Vietnamese women's team create surprises with effective counter-attacking play. He understands that against Japan, keeping a clean sheet is the number one priority. But he also knows that if they only defend, the team will find it hard to stand firm for 90 minutes. Therefore, he may launch surprise attacks, quick counterattacks on the wings. The match between Vietnam and Japan is not just a group stage match. It is a lesson in courage. Whatever the result, the girls in red will learn a lot. They will learn how to face adversity, how to fight for the colors of the flag. And perhaps, in the most difficult moments, we will see the true value of a collective. The stands may not be crowded, but the hearts of the fans still turn to them. I write about football, but actually I am writing about people. About people who dare to stand up after a fall. The ball is round, but fate is never round – it rolls through the cracks of history. And in those cracks, flowers can still bloom. So, whatever the result, remember: The Vietnam women's team is writing their own story. A story of resilience, of faith, and of the aspiration to reach new heights. They will step onto the field with everything they have. And whether they win or lose, they are still heroes in the hearts of the fans.