Hai Yen scores as Vietnam women's national team beats Jiangsu women's club in tactical friendly

In the 14th minute, from a quick transition after winning the ball in midfield, Hai Yen broke through and finished calmly. That was the only goal of the match, and also one of the rare moments Vietnam women's national team actually pushed their formation high. Before that, for the entire first 13 minutes, the home side had dropped deep into their own half, setting up two defensive lines in front of the box, ceding the initiative to Jiangsu women's club. Head coach Hoang Van Phuc deliberately chose a cautious approach from the opening whistle. Instead of high pressing, Vietnam women's national team opted for a low block, sealing the spaces between the lines, forcing the opponent to circulate the ball in less dangerous areas. This style of play is nothing new, but what was noteworthy was the discipline in maintaining the team's shape, especially in the first 60 minutes when the core lineup was kept intact to test tactical operations. After the early goal, Vietnam women's national team showed no intention of pushing forward for a second. Instead, they continued to maintain a tight defensive shape, waiting for counter-attacking opportunities. This is a clear tactical signal: the coaching staff's objective was not a resounding victory, but to test the ability to keep a clean sheet and the cohesion of the defensive line against an opponent that tends to hold possession. I once wrote an article that no one read. Three years later, it became my teaching material. And from the perspective of a former player, I don't need to watch the tape to know who is running to the wrong spot. In the first 60 minutes, there were virtually no errors in execution. The covering positions were well coordinated, the distance between the midfield line and the defensive line was consistently kept under 15 meters, which made Jiangsu women's club almost completely stagnant in the central corridor. The turning point of the match came in the 61st minute, when coach Hoang Van Phuc made a series of substitutions. A total of 10 players were brought on from the 61st to the 87th minute, a near-complete overhaul of the lineup. This shows that the main purpose of the friendly was not the result, but squad evaluation. The substitute players had the chance to prove themselves, and although the tempo of the match slowed down somewhat, the defensive line held firm to preserve the scoreline. In 2026, everything collapsed. I stood up and rebuilt from the rubble. For Vietnam women's national team, this 1-0 victory is not a big bang, but it is the first brick in the preparation process for ASIAD. What matters is not the scoreline, but the fact that the team had a tactical rehearsal exactly as planned: testing the starting lineup, checking the squad depth, and most importantly, keeping a clean sheet. However, we need to be realistic. Vietnam women's national team's opponent was only a Chinese women's club, not a top-tier national team. The level and class of Jiangsu women's club cannot be compared to potential ASIAD opponents like Japan or South Korea. Therefore, this victory should only be seen as a positive warm-up step, not to be overhyped. The lesson from the tunnel: the silence before the match says more than any press conference. And the friendly against China women's national team on September 9 will be the real test. China women's national team is a completely different opponent, with superior physicality, speed, and high-pressing ability compared to Jiangsu women's club. That match will expose the weaknesses that Jiangsu women's club failed to exploit. One concerning point I noticed: the over-reliance on Hai Yen for goals. The only goal of the match came from her individual effort in a transition situation. If Hai Yen is marked out by opponents, who will score? This is a question the coaching staff needs to address in the remaining friendlies before ASIAD. Alternative attacking options need to be tested and refined. Looking at the overall picture, this victory provides limited informational value but carries important tactical significance. Coach Hoang Van Phuc had a successful rehearsal in terms of execution: the starting lineup operated smoothly in the first 60 minutes, the defense played with discipline and kept a clean sheet, and the substitute players had the chance to showcase themselves. All of these serve the bigger goal at ASIAD. I read a deal not through the price tag, but through where the player will stand in the system. And in this match, I saw a system being built methodically. There was no recklessness, no rashness, only a plan executed with patience. That is the sign of a methodical coaching staff. The friendly against China women's national team will be a much more accurate measuring stick. If Vietnam women's national team can hold their own against a much stronger opponent, then the victory over Jiangsu women's club will have positive reference value. Conversely, if the team is completely overwhelmed, it will be a wake-up call showing that the gap in level is still very large. In the midst of a chaotic season, the strategist most needs the clarity of an outsider. And from the position of an observer, I see Vietnam women's national team heading in the right direction. This 1-0 victory is not a big statement, but it is a correct step in the long-term preparation process. The remaining question is: can the team maintain this focus and discipline when facing the real challenges at ASIAD?