Japan vs Vietnam: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Update

By Vikram Nair / 11.03.2026

Japan vs Vietnam: A Dominant Performance

“The world No. 8 Japanese side delivered just that—and more—after cruising to a 4–0 victory over the Vietnamese,” stated an observer following the match held in Perth, Australia, on March 10, 2026.

This decisive win for Japan not only showcased their strength in women’s football but also had significant implications for the tournament. Japan’s victory allowed the Philippines to advance to the quarterfinals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Historically, Japan has been a formidable opponent in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, having won all previous encounters against Vietnam. This match was crucial for Vietnam, as they needed to secure a win to keep their knockout hopes alive.

Mai Duc Chung, the coach of Vietnam, acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “We face a tough challenge against Japan, one of the strongest teams in Asia and the world.” His words reflected the uphill battle his team faced against a well-ranked opponent.

Japan had previously demonstrated their scoring prowess with an 11-0 victory against India, where they netted five goals in the first half alone. This form carried into the match against Vietnam, where they continued to dominate.

In contrast, Vietnam managed a late 2-1 victory against India in their group stage, but this was not enough to prepare them for the onslaught from Japan.

Following the match, Nile Neilsen, a key player for Japan, emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum as they prepare for the knockout stage, stating, “This match is important, and we want to maintain the good momentum as we continue preparing for the knockout stage by improving the small details in our game.”

The Philippines will now face Japan in the quarterfinals on March 15, 2026, setting the stage for another exciting encounter in the tournament.

As for Vietnam, their knockout hopes now hang by a thread, with the team needing to regroup and reassess their strategy moving forward.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential changes to Vietnam’s lineup as they look to bounce back from this defeat.