Football

SURAKARTA – Việt Nam made a thunderous start to their ASEAN U16 Girls’ Championship 2025 campaign, sweeping aside Cambodia 5-0 in their opening Group B match on August 21 in Surakarta, Indonesia.

Nguyễn Thị Minh Anh stole the show with a superb hat-trick, netting in the 37th, 80th and 89th minutes to seal the win and earn Most Valuable Player honours.

Her efforts came after Nguyễn Thị Linh Chi opened the scoring in the sixth minute, setting the tone for Việt Nam’s dominant display. Phan Thị Thu Phương added the fourth goal in the 75th minute with a precise finish.

The commanding win sends a clear message as Việt Nam chase the title, with their next test against Myanmar on August 25. Head coach Okiyama Masahiko said Myanmar would be a tough opponent and the result would be key to determining the group leader.

The Japanese coach said his team had set three clear goals for the tournament: winning each match, improving technique, fitness and tactics, and building confidence and experience through international competition.

Elsewhere, defending champions Thailand stumbled in Group C, losing 2-1 to Australia. Maeve Nicholas opened the scoring for Australia in the 16th minute, before Kaya Jugovic doubled the lead in the 67th. Thailand pulled one back through Nattatida Tirapalika in the 87th minute, but it was not enough.

In Group A, Indonesia’s Nasywa Salsabilla delivered the tournament’s first hat-trick in a 6-0 demolition of Timor Leste at the Manahan Stadium. Nasywa struck in the 12th, 24th and 37th minutes, while Jazlyn Kayla Firyal scored twice (20th and 25th), and Syafia Tristalia Chorlienka added another in the 62nd.

The tournament continues this week with more crucial group-stage clashes. — VNS