Chinese media stunned by Vietnam's defeat in Asian Cup

Chinese media expressed surprise following Vietnam's women's team's loss to Chinese Taipei in Group C of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup.

Chinese media were taken aback by the defeat of Vietnam's women's team in Group C of the 2026 Asian Women's Football Championship. After the 0-1 loss to Chinese Taipei's women's team, the website 163 published a commentary with several noteworthy observations regarding this result, considered a shock of this year's tournament.

Website 163 headlines: “A major shock at the 2026 Asian Women's Football Championship” after witnessing the match result on March 7 afternoon in Perth (Australia). According to this media outlet, the defeat of Vietnam's women's team was something few predicted before the match began, due to the disparity in rankings and capabilities between the two teams.

The Chinese media article stated: “On March 7 afternoon, fans witnessed a major shock in Group C of the Asian Women's Football Championship when Taiwan unexpectedly defeated Vietnam's women's team 1-0. This is also considered one of the biggest surprises since this year's tournament began.”

Website 163 also emphasized that before the match, most predictions leaned towards Vietnam's women's team. Coach Mai Đức Chung's squad was rated higher than the opponent and had just secured a win against India's women's team in the opening match, thereby gaining a significant advantage in the race for a spot in the next round.

According to this media's analysis, the match unfolded in a rather unexpected scenario. “Before the match, hardly anyone considered this a noteworthy encounter. In terms of capability and world ranking, Vietnam's women's team were rated higher than Taiwan… Few thought they could stumble against an opponent deemed weaker.”

Despite controlling the game better, Vietnam's women's team could not capitalize on the opportunities created. Website 163 pointed out that the red-shirted team launched 9 shots throughout the match but none hit the goal frame, rendering all attacking efforts futile.

On the opposite side, Chinese Taipei's women's team opted for a pragmatic style and patiently waited for counter-attacking opportunities. “They did not focus heavily on ball control but mainly waited for counter-attack chances. They created a dangerous situation when Matsunaga Saki's shot hit the crossbar, before Su Yu Hsuan quickly rushed in to head the rebound into the empty goal, scoring the only goal of the match.”

According to website 163's assessment, this result not only affects Group C's situation but could also impact the entire knockout stage.“This result, at first glance, only alters the rankings within Group C but in reality significantly influences the entire knockout stage scenario of the Asian Women's Football Championship.”

The Chinese media believes that if China's women's team secures the top spot in Group B, they might face the runner-up of Group C - likely Chinese Taipei's women's team. This is assessed to open a more favorable path for Coach Ante Milicic's squad in the tournament's elimination phase.

The loss to Chinese Taipei makes Group C's situation more unpredictable for Vietnam's women's team. In the final match at 16:00 on March 10, Coach Mai Đức Chung's team will face Japan's women's team. The red-shirted squad needs at least a draw, or a loss by a minimal margin, to keep hopes alive for advancing in the 2026 Asian Women's Football Championship.