Culture - Sports

HCM City advance to AFC Women’s Club Championship quarterfinals

The result left Melbourne City top of Group A with nine points, while Ho Chi Minh City finished second with six points from three matches. Both teams officially advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will prepare for tougher challenges in the knockout stage.

Melbourne City (Australia) defeat Ho Chi Minh City 3-0 in the final Group A match of the 2025–2026 AFC Women’s Club Championship (Photo: VNA)
Melbourne City (Australia) defeat Ho Chi Minh City 3-0 in the final Group A match of the 2025–2026 AFC Women’s Club Championship (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Melbourne City (Australia) defeated Ho Chi Minh City 3-0 in the final Group A match of the 2025–2026 AFC Women’s Club Championship on November 19 at Thong Nhat Stadium. Despite the loss, the Vietnamese team finished second in the group and secured a place in the quarterfinals.

Group A included Melbourne City, Ho Chi Minh City, Stallion Laguna (Philippines) and Lion City Sailors (Singapore). Both Melbourne City and Ho Chi Minh City had won their first two matches, guaranteeing early qualification. Stallion Laguna meanwhile beat Lion City Sailors 5-0 in the other group match.

Melbourne City started the match aggressively, showing clear superiority in speed, physique and pressing. Within the first four minutes, Ho Chi Minh City conceded two goals. McNamara opened the score in the 40th second, capitalising on a scramble in the box, and Apostolakis added a second with a long-range strike in the 4th minute. In the 40th minute, McMahon scored the third goal following a smooth central combination.

In the second half, Ho Chi Minh City brought on Huynh Nhu and Bao Chau, creating more attacking opportunities. A penalty appeal in the 50th minute was denied, and K’Thua’s attempts in the 66th and 90+4 minutes were thwarted, including a long-range shot that hit the crossbar. Melbourne City remained in control, threatening several times but unable to add to their lead.

The result left Melbourne City top of Group A with nine points, while Ho Chi Minh City finished second with six points from three matches. Both teams officially advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will prepare for tougher challenges in the knockout stage./.

VNA
#AFC Women's Club #championship #HCM City
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Illustrative Image (Photo: VFF)

Vietnam drawn in Group B at 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup

Vietnam, ranked 26th in the world and seeded in Pot 2 by FIFA’s August 29 rankings, landed in a challenging Group B with familiar rivals: 2022 runners-up Thailand, Kuwait and Lebanon. Vietnam shares Pot 2 with powerhouses Uzbekistan (19th), Afghanistan (33rd) and Iraq (41st), making for competitive group-stage fixtures right from the start.

See more

The shooting duo Trinh Thu Vinh and Pham Quang Huy of Vietnam win a silver medal in the 10m mixed team air pistol event. (Photo: VNA)

SEA Games 33: Shooting, Wushu secure silvers

On the Wushu mat, Dang Tran Phuong Nhi secured a silver medal after competing in the women’s southern fist, southern staff and southern broadsword events, finishing with a total score of 29.112 points.

Shooter Trinh Thu Vinh competes in the women’s 10m air pistol team event. (Photo: VNA)

SEA Games 33: Vietnam excels with record-breaking performances

The trio of Nguyen Thuy Trang, Trinh Thu Vinh and Trieu Thi Hoa Hong delivered an impressive performance in the women’s 10m air pistol team event on December 14. Competing with consistency and precision, the Vietnamese shooters amassed a total of 1,711 points to win the gold medal and shatter the SEA Games record.

Director Dang Thai Huyen (second from left) and actors of 'Red Rain'. (Photo courtesy of VFDA)

‘Red Rain’ closes Vietnamese Film Week in Paris

Adapted from the novel by Chu Lai, ‘Red Rain’ draws inspiration from the 81-day battle to defend the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in 1972. The film has stormed into the history books as Vietnam’s highest-grossing domestic film of all time, with 700 billion VND (nearly 26.5 million USD) in revenue.

A visitor learn about the traditional embroidery craft of the Pa Di ethnic group in Muong Khuong commune (Photo: VNA)

Lao Cai works hard to preserve Pa Di people’s traditional crafts

To preserve their cultural heritage and values, and prevent traditional crafts, especially traditional costume-making, from fading away, the Pa Di people in Muong Khuong, Lao Cai province, are actively working with local authorities and agencies on preservation efforts.

German friends taste Vietnamese pho (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Pho Day launched in Europe amid broader culinary push

Prior to the launch, the Vietnamese Embassy encouraged businesses and restaurants throughout Germany to join in the event. By December 12, six partners had signed up via the We Love Pho organisation's website (welovepho.org), committing to promotional posts, website and social media shares, features in Vietnamese language media, and special discounts for pho customers during the event.

This is Nguyen Thi Huong's second gold at SEA Games 33 and her 10th gold in her career. (File photo: tuoitre.vn)

SEA Games 33: Vietnam win gold in women's canoe double

In the qualifying round, they led with a time of 44.875 seconds. In the final, the duo continued to display outstanding form, completing the race in 43.419 seconds, finishing first ahead of strong competitors from Indonesia and Thailand.