Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam made a dramatic start to their Group C campaign at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, edging India 2-1 in Perth, Australia, on March 4.
From the outset, the Vietnamese side dominated possession, repeatedly exploiting the flanks and applying sustained pressure on India’s defence.
The breakthrough came in the 30th minute when Van Su showed her composure at the edge of the box before curling a precise finish into the top corner to give Vietnam a deserved lead.
India equalised in the 52nd minute after a defensive lapse allowed the ball to fall kindly to Nongrum, who reacted quickly to slot home from close range and level the score at 1-1.
Just as the match appeared destined for a draw, drama unfolded deep into stoppage time. In the 90+4th minute, an incomplete clearance by the Indian defence inside the penalty area fell to Van Su, who pounced swiftly to fire home the rebound, sealing a 2-1 victory to the delight of her teammates.
The hard-fought but deserved win handed Vietnam a valuable three points in their tournament opener, giving them an early advantage in the race for a quarter-final berth.
In their next fixture, head coach Mai Duc Chung and his players will face Chinese Taipei, who suffered a 0-2 defeat to Japan in their opening match./.
