Despite having already confirmed their place in the play-off of the Tokyo 2020 qualifiers following their 1-0 opening win over Myanmar, Mai Duc Chung’s troops still headed into the second group match with great determination.
However, facing a much stronger RoK side, Vietnam conceded three unanswered goals scored by Jang Sel-gi (23’), Choo Hyo-joo (53') and Ji So-yun (83') after 90 minutes of play.
The result meant that Vietnam stood second overall in Group A with three points after one win and one loss, three behind the RoK, who scored two consecutive victories to advance as the group winners.
In the two-leg play-off (to be played on a home and away basis), Vietnam will take on the Group B winners, while the RoK will play the second-placed team of Group B. The two winners of the play-offs will join hosts Japan as Asia’s representatives in Tokyo this summer.
Vietnamese players applaud fans after the match. (Photo: VFF)
The Group B campaign hasn’t been over yet, with Australia, China and Chinese Taipei currently level on three points. However, with their superior level, Australia and China are emerging as the favourites for Group B’s two tickets to the play-off stage.
Mai Duc Chung’s side will have a month to prepare for their play-off games. Accordingly, the Vietnamese team will play away on March 6 before taking on the opponents at home five days later.
As scheduled, the national women’s squad will take a flight home on February 10 and have a week of relax before reconvening for the play-off mission.
