Vietnamese Women's National Team, with a defense under 1.6m, astonishes Asia

Despite fielding a defensive line with an average height under 1.6m, the Vietnamese Women's National Team still rendered their physically superior opponents helpless, thanks to disciplined play and sound tactics at the 2026 Asian Cup.

At the 2026 Asian Cup Finals, where modern football increasingly prioritizes physical stature, the Vietnamese Women's National Team presented a completely different image. In their opening match against India, Coach Mai Đức Chung surprised everyone by deploying a trio of center-backs none taller than 1.6m, creating the tournament's most unique defensive line.

Facing an opponent with superior physical foundation and stature, many were concerned about Vietnam's ability to defend aerial balls. The tallest center-back, Lương Thị Thu Thương (1.68m), did not even start. Instead, trust was placed in Trần Thị Thu (1.57m), Cù Thị Huỳnh Như (1.58m), and Diễm My (1.59m), with Diễm My commanding the central defense.

An average height not reaching 1.6m is a rarity at the continental level, even in women's football. On the bench, defender Mỹ Anh is only 1.54m tall. However, the physical disadvantage did not force the defensive system into passivity. The three center-backs covered meticulously, chose positions wisely, and maintained tight team spacing, thereby minimizing India's aerial threats.

The success of that diminutive defense also stemmed from tactical organization. Coach Mai Đức Chung deployed four central midfielders—Ngân Thị Vạn Sự, Bích Thùy, Dương Thị Vân, and Thái Thị Thảo—alongside two mobile wingers, Thanh Nhã and Trần Thị Duyên. This formation helped Vietnam control the midfield, disrupt long-range build-up play, and reduce direct pressure on the three center-backs.

Further upfield, Huỳnh Như played the role of a target and wall in counter-attacking situations. The industriousness of Trần Thị Duyên and the speed of Thanh Nhã allowed the team to transition flexibly. Consequently, their defensive-counterattacking strategy operated coherently, achieving a balance between security and sharpness.

The clearest symbol of the "small but mighty" philosophy is Ngân Thị Vạn Sự. The 1.5m-tall player scored two goals thanks to her opportunism and deft individual skill. In the future, the Vietnamese Women's National Team will certainly need to improve physically, but for now, Coach Mai Đức Chung is optimizing available resources to create a short yet highly effective defensive line.