Coach Mai Duc Chung thanks the Prime Minister, Bich Thuy bursts into tears, Australian coach 'afraid of being tied'

Coach Mai Duc Chung affirmed that the Vietnamese women's team must try harder in the bronze medal match against Thailand, taking place at 4:30 p.m. on August 19.

Coach Mai Duc Chung wants his students not to give up.

The Vietnamese women's team has stopped at the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2025 after a 1-2 defeat to Australia. Coach Mai Duc Chung's team conceded early goals in the first half thanks to goals from Aideen Keane (minute 6) and Leticia McKenna (minute 17). Despite their best efforts, especially in the second half with a goal from Bich Thuy, the Vietnamese women's team still could not overcome the difficult challenge.

The Vietnamese women's team will play the third-place match against Thailand (who lost the early semi-final match 1-2 to Myanmar) at 4:30 p.m. on August 19. Coach Mai Duc Chung affirmed that the players must continue to make efforts.

Coach Mai Duc Chung and Bich Thuy shared after the match

PHOTO: MINH TU

"Thank you to the audience nationwide and Hai Phong fans. I never thought the Vietnamese women's team would receive such attention, especially in the second half. In this match, we did not do well in the first half, while in the second half, the players played more effectively. In the bronze medal match, the whole team will have to play harder and be more stable in spirit," coach Mai Duc Chung shared with the press after the match.

The 76-year-old strategist also thanked Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for coming to the field to encourage the Vietnamese women's team. According to coach Mai Duc Chung, the presence of the Prime Minister gave the players more strength, so that they could have a more complete and explosive second half.

"The entire team thanks the Prime Minister for coming to Lach Tray Stadium to support the Vietnamese women's team. However, that gratitude must be expressed through the immediate effort in the third-place match," coach Mai Duc Chung told his players.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh encourages the Vietnamese women's team

PHOTO: MINH TU

After the match, midfielder Bich Thuy burst into tears. The player born in 1994 was the most outstanding player on the home team Vietnam in this match, when he had a beautiful solo dribble to score a goal at the end of the match.

"I'm very sad that the team stopped. The whole team didn't play well, especially at the beginning of the match. We will regain our spirit to win the bronze medal," Bich Thuy shared.

Australian coach: 'I thought the Vietnamese women's team could equalize'

"This was a great match. In the first half, we controlled the game well. However, the Vietnamese women's team received great support from the home crowd. The Vietnamese defenders also made very good saves and this was Australia's toughest match since the beginning of the tournament," Australian women's team coach Joseph Palatsides emphasized.

"I told my players that the Vietnamese women's team would attack more strongly in the second half. I tried to encourage everyone that Australia was playing very well and asked them to be more tight.

I thought about the prospect of Vietnam equalizing, when they attacked as if they had nothing to lose. I rate the Vietnamese women's team very highly. They are a good team and in football anything can happen."

The Australian women's team strategist also emphasized: "The Australian women's team is playing better and better despite a difficult start against Myanmar. In the group stage, we only had 1 day to practice. I understand that when we meet the Vietnamese women's team, we need to do better and understand their tactics.

I was also very surprised with Vietnamese fans, when they continued to cheer even when the team was facing a losing result."

In the final, the Australian women's team will face Myanmar at 7:30 p.m. on August 19. In the group stage, Australia lost 1-2 to Myanmar in their opening match.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-mai-duc-chung-cam-on-thu-tuong-bich-thuy-bat-khoc-hlv-uc-so-bi-go-hoa-185250816230023509.htm