Chinese Taipei 1 – 0 Vietnam
By Callum Logie 7/3/26
Above: Matsunaga Saki (right) competes for possession with Ngan Thi Van Su.Photo: AFC Asia Cup
Perth Rectangular Stadium hosted a tense affair between Chinese Taipei and Vietnam, where a Su Yu-hsuan goal was the difference between the two teams to give Chinese Taipei a crucial 1-0 win.
Chinese Taipei were looking to turn their fortunes around after suffering a resilient 2-0 defeat to Japan, while Vietnam were looking to seal their path to the knockout stages with a win here after a 2-1 victory over India.
The game started out at a tense pace, both teams feeling each other out when trying to create an opportunity in the first 10 minutes.
In the 10th minute, Chinese Taipei generated the first opportunity. After winning the ball high up the pitch, Chinese Taipei worked the ball over to Chen Jin-wen who sent her well struck effort over the crossbar.
Vietnam’s passing was a little more fluid than Chinese Taipei through the first half, but they were unable to create any meaningful chances in the 30 minutes due to the solid defensive shape from Chinese Taipei.
In the 26th minute, Chinese Taipei managed to break the deadlock. A well worked attacking move with passing down the left wing allowed for a Matsunaga shot that rattled off the crossbar. Su Yu-hsuan was in the right place at the right time though to knock in the follow up and open the scoring.
Vietnam created their first meaningful chance a few moments later, after a passing move heading forward landed with Tran Thi Duyen who drove her effort wide.
Heading into the half, Chinese Taipei deserved their lead as they looked more threatening heading forward when compared to Vietnam.
Early in the second half, while still playing a possession style, Vietnam looked to move the ball forward with more purpose, the full-backs getting involved in attacks with overlapping runs.
Chinese Taipei held a deep line since they took the lead in the first half, looking to mitigate the threat of Vietnam’s pacey attacking players. There was little space behind the defence to work with and the organisation of the side meant that Vietnam struggled to play around the defence as well.
Vietnam continued to work on creating an equaliser, swapping positions of their wing players and putting a good piece of play together in the 68th minute. A handball shout was not rewarded as Huynh Nhu directed a half volley high of the Chinese Taipei goal.
Sadly late in the game, Chang Chi-lan from Chinese Taipei suffered an injury and had to be stretchered off of the pitch, unable to continue.
Matsunaga was the creative catalyst for Chinese Taipei as she almost created another goal for her team. A free kick swung into the box was met well by Su Sin-yun but it was driven straight at Thai Thi Thao who was able to collect in the 88thminute.
After more pressure from Vietnam, Chinese Taipei were able to hold on to their narrow lead and clean sheet, keeping their tournament hopes alive with a much needed win.
The result puts Chinese Taipei level on points with their opponents, but down on goal difference due to their two-goal defeat to Japan. All eyes will be on the final group stage match day with Chinese Taipei looking to make it past India to qualify through to the knockout stages.
Vietnam will take on group favourites Japan, hoping to cause an upset against the top ranked team in the tournament.
Teams: CHINESE TAIPEI (5-4-1): Wang Yu-ting, Chang, Su Sin-yun, Hsu, Huang, Chen Ying-hui, Matsunaga, Wu, Chen Jin-wen, Chen Yu-chin, Su Yu-hsuan.Substitutes: Lin, Pan Shin-yu, Teng, Ting, Li, He, Pu, Chan, Tseng, Liu, Wu, Cheng, Pan Yen-Hsin, Wang Hsiang-huei, Yang.
Goals: Su Yu-hsuan 26’
VIETNAM (3-5-2): Trần Thị Kim Thanh, Lê, Trần Thị Thu Thả, Cù, Thái, Phạm, Trần Thị Duyên, Dương, Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã, Ngân, Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy.Substitutes: Đoàn, Lương, Trần Nhật Lan, Trần Thị Thu, Hoàng, Nguyễn Thị Hoa, Ngoc, Nguyễn Thị Trúc Hương, Huỳnh , Trần Thị Hải Linh, Khổng, Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Anh, Nguyễn Thị Thúy Hằng, Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Ngân, Vũ.
Referee: Lara Lee (Australia)
Attendance: TBC
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