Vietnam – Chinese Taipei: Unwithering Memories and the Transition

In my memory, the 0-1 defeat to Chinese Taipei at the 2026 Women's Asian Cup is still drenched like the rain on Worker's Park years ago. I sat in the press stand in Rostov-on-Don, witnessing Japan's collapse against Belgium after 14 seconds, and I understood that football never begins at the first minute. It begins with memories that never dry, with scars a team carries into the next match. And now, as the 2026 Asian Games approach, as Vietnam prepares to face Chinese Taipei in the opening match of Group E, I cannot help but think of that defeat – the loss that eliminated Vietnam from the 2026 Asian Cup, the loss that etched a deep pain into the minds of the Vietnamese women's players. I have watched the replay of that match at least twice. Not to find faults, but to understand. Chinese Taipei played a resilient game, defended tightly, and took their only chance. That was the goal by Su Yu Hsuan, a player born in 2026, still in the squad. A goal born of composure and cold-bloodedness. Vietnam controlled more of the ball but could not break through the packed defence. It was a match Vietnam deserved at least a point from, but football does not award points for deserving. Now, the 2026 Asian Games. A new stage, but old memories remain. Vietnam enters this match as the higher-ranked team: 37th in the world, 6th in Asia. Chinese Taipei is 40th in the world, 8th in Asia. The three-place gap in the FIFA ranking is negligible, but it is still a signal. However, as I have learned after years as a commentator, rankings never tell the whole story. The most recent match between the two, in the same regional arena, ended in a 1-0 win for Chinese Taipei. That is the freshest data, and perhaps the most weighty. I recall the words of an old coach: "Rankings are for the fans, but head-to-head records are for the players." Vietnam has a slight edge in the last 10 meetings: 5 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses. But that is a fragile advantage. And the most recent defeat, the one that knocked Vietnam out of the Asian Cup, is a scar. Chinese Taipei knows they can beat Vietnam. That is a belief built on results, not words. I have followed the preparations of both teams. Chinese Taipei arrived eight days earlier than Vietnam. They have coach Patrick De Wilde, who took charge in May, giving him over three months to build a playing style. He implemented an attacking 4-3-3, and his team scored three goals against South Korea in a 3-5 loss in the East Asian Football Championship qualifiers. That is a formidable attacking signal, but it also shows their defence is quite vulnerable. They play open football, creating chances for both teams. That is a tactical trait Vietnam can exploit, if Vietnam can defend solidly and counter-attack quickly. Vietnam is different. They are in a generational transition. New coach Hoang Van Phuc has been appointed, but he has not had much time with the team. Only about half of the squad from the 2026 Asian Cup remains. That is a major change in personnel and psychology. Vietnam lacks a stable core, and they must face the psychological pressure from the previous defeat. They arrived later, only days before the match, meaning limited time to adapt to playing conditions and climate. I have spoken to some colleagues in China who follow Asian women's football. They all agree that Chinese Taipei has a talented young generation, players born after 2026, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 Asian Cup thanks to wins over Vietnam and India. That is a sign that their talent supply is on the rise, just as Vietnam is between generations. That is a worrying coincidence for Vietnam. But football is not played on paper. It is played on grass, with specific people, in specific moments. And I believe Vietnam has enough quality to overcome this challenge. They have experience, technique, and ambition. But they need to play with composure and courage. They must not let the fear from the old defeat control them. They must play as if this is their first match, as if there is no burden. That is what I always reminded players when I was a commentator: "Forget the score, forget the history. Only the present matters." I visited the stadium in Hangzhou, where the match will take place. I walked around the area and felt the atmosphere of a big match. Vietnamese fans had started arriving early, carrying red flags with yellow stars, singing cheering songs. They believe in their team. So do I. I believe Vietnam will play with great effort. But I also know Chinese Taipei will not surrender easily. They come here as challengers, with a new coach and an attacking style. They will attack from the start. They will press. They will look to exploit any gaps Vietnam might leave. I watched the replay of the 1-0 defeat once more. I noticed one thing: Chinese Taipei scored from a quick counter-attack, when Vietnam had pushed up. That is a lesson. Vietnam needs to control the game but must not be caught off guard behind the defence. Chinese Taipei has quick players, especially Su Yu Hsuan, who scored the decisive goal. She is a constant threat. Vietnam needs a specific plan to neutralize her. I believe this match will be decided by small details. Who will score first? Who will control their emotions? Who will take their chances? These are questions without pre-match answers. But I know one thing: this is the most important match in Group E. Both teams know a win opens the door to advancement. A loss creates enormous pressure. It is a match of memories and aspirations. I remember a poet's words: "Memories never dry, they just move from one drop to another." The defeat to Chinese Taipei was a teardrop. But it could also be a tear of purification. If Vietnam learns from it, they can turn it into motivation. If they let it drown them, they will sink in their own fear. I have counted the days left until the match in the Japanese way – not counting down, but counting what remains. The remaining training sessions. The remaining tactical meetings. The remaining moments together in the dressing room. Those are what make a team. Not the stars, but the cohesion. Chinese Taipei has cohesion from three months of working together. Vietnam must create cohesion in a few weeks. It is a challenge, but not impossible. I believe in the power of the collective. I believe in the quiet voices. In football, the star does not always shine. Sometimes, the less-mentioned players are the ones who decide. The silent full-back, the tireless defensive midfielder, the substitute goalkeeper ready to step in. They are the ones who create the chorus. And I believe Vietnam has such players. The match will take place on September 14. I will be in the stands, as a journalist, but also as a fan. I will watch every pass, every challenge. I will not just look at the score. I will look at how the players react when they concede, how they celebrate when they score, how they get up after every fall. Those moments tell the truest story. I believe Vietnam will win. Not because they are rated higher, but because they need this win more. They need to erase the painful memory. They need to prove they are still a force in Asian women's football. They need to write a new chapter. And I believe they have enough quality to do so. But if they lose, I will not turn away. I will write about what they tried. I will write about the sweat on the grass. I will write about the voice from the empty stand. Because football is not just about winning. It is the story of people. And that story never ends at the first minute.