Vietnam enters the second qualifying round of the Asian Women's U20 2024
* Score: Nhat Lan 45'+2 – Babina Devi 12'
In the last match at Viet Tri Stadium, Vietnam only needed a draw to continue, while India was forced to win. However, the opponent from South Asia is not easy to play thanks to a better physical foundation and soon creates difficulties for the host. In the 12th minute, Babina Devi suddenly shot from about 28 meters away to beat goalkeeper Danh Thi Kieu My, opening the score.
Vietnam had to push to attack, but it took until the last minute of the first half to equalize. Receiving the ball from the right wing, Tran Nhat Lan shot close to the penalty area and brought the ball to the post, but the Indian defender's bad break continued to bring the ball to Nhat Lan's feet. And Vietnam's number 7 made a fake gesture and then shot diagonally, making goalkeeper Anshika unable to react.
In the second half, India pushed to attack but could not overcome the two-tier defense of Vietnam. Towards the end of the game, coach Akira Ijiri's students actively stayed on the field to buy time, but also experienced heart-stopping moments such as Sumati Kumari's shot from a narrow angle was saved by Kieu My in the 90th minute. , Vietnam continued to stand firm in the remaining seven minutes of compensation to preserve the score 1-1.
Through three matches, Vietnam has the same seven points as India, but is ranked first due to the goal difference (+14 versus +13). Vietnam became the third team to qualify for the second qualifying round of the Asian Women's U20 2024 after Australia and China.
The first qualifying round of the Asian Women's U20 2024 includes 31 teams divided into eight groups. Teams play in a round-robin, selecting the top eight teams to advance to the second qualifying round.
Eight teams will continue to be divided into four groups of seeds, drawn into two round-robin groups from June 3 to 11, 2023. The top two teams in each group will advance to the final round, which will feature hosts Uzbekistan, defending champion Japan, runner-up North Korea and third-place South Korea.
