The Vietnam women's football team experienced a challenging start at the Asiad 2026, losing 1-2 to Taiwan (China) in their opening match held at Shizuoka Ecopa Stadium in Japan on September 14. This defeat puts significant pressure on the team as they strive to secure a place in the knockout stage of the tournament.

In a match that was crucial for both teams, Taiwan came out strong, applying constant pressure on Vietnam. They opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a goal from Su Yu Hsuan after a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Kim Thanh. Following this setback, the Vietnam team attempted to respond with an offensive strategy but struggled against Taiwan's pressing game.

The second half saw little change in momentum, with Vietnam pressing for an equalizer but failing to convert their chances. In the 82nd minute, Japan-born naturalized player Wakabayashi Minori extended Taiwan's lead to 2-0. Vietnam managed to score a consolation goal through Thanh Nhã in the 86th minute, but the match ended with a 2-1 victory for Taiwan.

Looking ahead, Vietnam will face a formidable opponent in Japan on September 17. The tournament format allows the top two teams from each group and the best four third-placed teams to advance to the quarter-finals. Vietnam's previous encounter with Taiwan earlier this year ended in a 0-1 defeat, adding to the pressure as they aim for a better outcome this time.

In Group E, Japan is favored to top the group, while Vietnam will compete closely with Taiwan and Thailand for the remaining spots. A win against Taiwan would significantly enhance Vietnam's chances of progressing, but any further slip-ups could jeopardize their advancement.

Prior to Asiad 2026, the Vietnam women's team had a training camp in Suzhou, China, where they played two friendly matches. They secured a 1-0 victory against Jiangsu Suning but faced a 0-3 loss to the Chinese national team. These matches were essential for the coaching staff to evaluate player performance and test tactical strategies in preparation for the official tournament.

Historically, Vietnam has faced Taiwan in ten previous encounters, winning five, drawing two, and losing three. The team had previously triumphed over Taiwan 2-1 in the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup, marking their first qualification for the Women's World Cup in 2023. However, the recent loss in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup has raised concerns as they transition into this new chapter under coach Hoàng Văn Phúc.