Sidibari
The Maldives Women’s National Football Team has been defeated by group hosts Vietnam in the first game of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifying this evening.
The match was played at Phu Tho provincial stadium in Vietri, as home side Vietnam won the game by 7-0, with six goals scored in the first half of the game.
Although it is a heavy blow in the hopes of qualifying, Maldives team remain hopeful for the next two games of the group stage, says the national team captain and goalkeeper, Aminath Leeza.
Speaking to Vietnamese media after the game, Leeza stated that “The coach (Aathif) set a target for the team; not to concede more than eight goals” and she said that the team focused on playing a defensive game.
This is the second time Maldives faced Vietnam on the international stage. Maldives had lost 16-0 to Vietnam in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifying group stage back in 2021. Vietnam, ranked 37th in the world, played in the Women’s World Cup 2023. Maldives is ranked 163rd in the FIFA rankings.
The next game of Maldives is set for Wednesday against Guam. The women’s national team will take on the UAE in the final match of the group stage next Saturday. Guam is ranked 97th, and UAE is ranked 117th in the world.
Only the group-winner will qualify for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup to be held in Australia. The AFC Asian Cup will feature 12 teams – China South Korea, Japan and hosts Australia have already booked a spot in the Cup.
The AFC Women’s Asia Cup will kick off on 1st March 2026, and will serve as the continental qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
