Huynh Nhu and HCMC Women's Club: Big Challenge in Asian Champions League, but Opportunities Remain

This morning, in Kuala Lumpur, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted the draw for the group stage of the 2026-2027 AFC Women's Champions League. The result placed HCMC Women's Club, representing Vietnamese women's football, in Group B alongside formidable opponents from South Korea, North Korea, and India. This is considered a "difficult" group, but not without opportunities for coach Đoàn Thị Kim Chi's team. Specifically, Group B includes: Hwacheon KSPO WFC (South Korean champions), 4.25 SC (North Korean champions), East Bengal (Indian champions), and HCMC Women's Club (Vietnamese champions). The matches will take place in India in November. With only 12 teams participating, divided into 3 groups of 4, the top two of each group and the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals. This opens up significant opportunities for HCMC Women's Club, despite the strong opponents. Looking back at HCMC Women's Club's history in continental competitions, the team has participated twice before. In the first time, they impressively reached the semi-finals. In the second, they went a bit further, reaching the quarter-finals. However, a common point in both eliminations was their failure to score any goals. Specifically, in the semi-final, they lost 0-2, and in the quarter-final, they lost 0-3 to East Asian opponents. This shows a "ceiling" in the team's competitiveness when facing top-tier Asian clubs. This year, HCMC Women's Club's group is considered more difficult than the previous two. Hwacheon KSPO WFC is the champion of the South Korean women's league, a strongly developed football nation. Although this is their first participation, with investment and good physical and technical foundations, they are certainly a formidable opponent. Meanwhile, 4.25 SC comes from North Korea, a country with a very strong women's football tradition in Asia. Evidence is that this team scored 29 goals in 3 qualifying matches, conceding only 1. High-pressing play, abundant stamina, and discipline are the strengths of North Korean teams. Additionally, East Bengal of India is not an easy opponent either, as they also scored 18 goals and conceded none in the qualifiers. However, last year, East Bengal was eliminated in the group stage with only 3 points, showing they lack experience at this level. In this context, the match against East Bengal is seen as the pivotal game determining HCMC Women's Club's chances of advancing. If they win against the Indian representative, coach Đoàn Thị Kim Chi's team will have 3 points and a positive goal difference, creating a solid foundation to compete for a top-2 or top-3 spot. Conversely, if they cannot beat East Bengal, their chances of advancing will become very slim, as history shows they struggle to take points from South Korean and North Korean teams. Tactically, through the previous two participations, it can be seen that HCMC Women's Club often plays defensively, waiting for counter-attacking opportunities. However, their finishing ability against strong opponents is a major issue. Failing to score in knockout matches shows a lack of efficiency in attack. To improve, the team needs more diverse attacking options, better use of set pieces, and increased long-range shooting. Additionally, maintaining focus for the full 90 minutes is crucial, as opponents like 4.25 SC can score at any moment. Another factor to consider is the schedule. The group stage takes place in November, a time when the Vietnamese domestic season may have just ended. This could affect the fitness of players, especially key figures like Huỳnh Như. Traveling to India for matches is also a logistical challenge. However, with their experience, the medical staff and coaches will have plans to ensure the best condition for the players. For the fans, there is great expectation for the performance of Huỳnh Như and her teammates. As one of the most famous players in Vietnamese women's football, Huỳnh Như is always the center of attention. However, pressure is also motivation for her and the whole team to perform better. If HCMC Women's Club can overcome the group stage this year, it will be a historic feat, affirming the position of Vietnamese women's football on the continental stage. In summary, HCMC Women's Club's group in the 2026-2027 AFC Women's Champions League is a big challenge, but not impossible. With careful preparation, high fighting spirit, and a bit of luck, coach Đoàn Thị Kim Chi's team can certainly create a surprise. The match against East Bengal will be the key, and if they win, the door to the quarter-finals will open wide. Let's wait for the performance of the red-clad girls in India this November.