On the afternoon of August 5, Cambodia’s head coach Gyotoku Koji gave an unexpectedly frank press conference ahead of the 2025 Southeast Asian Women’s Championship Group A matches.

“I’ve only been coaching the Cambodia women’s team for about 10 days. Actually, the previous coach (Conor Nestor) is still involved in this tournament, but in a different capacity. He’s the main technical director, while I’m just assisting because I don’t know much about Cambodian women’s players. It’s very difficult to assess each player’s capabilities and what they can do on the field,” he shared honestly.

Coach Gyotoku Koji was recently appointed by the Football Federation of Cambodia as head coach of the women’s national team just days before the 2025 Southeast Asian Women’s Championship.

Koji previously served as head coach for Cambodia’s men’s and U23 national teams. With limited knowledge of women’s football, the strategist set modest goals.

“Group A consists of strong opponents, so our target is just to earn 3 points. It may sound very humble, but that’s already an enormous challenge for us,” Coach Koji said.

Koji recently suffered two defeats against Vietnam’s national team and U23 squad within just a few months, during March’s FIFA Days and the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship group stage in July.

“As head coach, I also want to win, but it’s very difficult, especially against Vietnam’s women’s team in tomorrow’s match. We want to focus on playing well, not on promising to get 1 or 3 points or limiting goals conceded,” the Japanese strategist added.

During the press conference, Thailand’s women’s team also gave surprising answers when their player declared championship ambitions while the head coach only aimed for experience.

Thai player Chachawan Rodthong stated: “We aim to win the championship, and I personally want to be part of that journey.”

Minutes later, Thailand’s head coach Futoshi Ikeda clarified: “Since the 2025 Southeast Asian Women’s Championship isn’t during FIFA Days, we couldn’t call up the best club players, only U20 youngsters. We’re not targeting the championship but see this as valuable experience for our players.”

Cambodia women's national team - Photo 2.

Vietnam’s head coach Mai Duc Chung said: “We respect every opponent. Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia have all shown progress in recent friendlies. We’ll simply focus on achieving our match-by-match objectives.”

He continued: “Playing at home is clearly a big advantage for Vietnam’s women’s team. We hope many fans will come to support the squad.”

Veteran striker Huynh Nhu shared: “Vietnam’s women’s team will strive to deliver our best performances for home fans. Our ultimate goal is the championship. Vietnam previously won the 2003 SEA Games at home in Haiphong. We’ll work hard to repeat that history.”

Vietnam will play Group A matches against Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand at 7:30 PM on August 6, 9, and 12 respectively, all at Lach Tray Stadium.

In Group B, Philippines, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and Australia U23 will compete on August 7, 10, and 13 at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho).

The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals (August 16).

From August 6-19, Vietnam’s women’s team will pursue the 2025 Southeast Asian Women’s Championship title on home soil.

2025 Southeast Asian Women’s Championship

The **2025 Southeast Asian Women’s Championship** is an upcoming football (soccer) tournament organized by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), featuring national women’s teams from Southeast Asia. Building on previous editions, the competition aims to promote women’s football in the region, showcasing rising talent and fostering regional unity through sport. The event continues the tradition of the AFF Women’s Championship, which began in 2004 but has been held irregularly, with the 2025 edition expected to highlight the growing competitiveness of Southeast Asian women’s teams.

Lach Tray Stadium

Lach Tray Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Hai Phong, Vietnam, primarily used for football matches. It serves as the home ground for Hai Phong FC and has a seating capacity of around 30,000 spectators. The stadium, named after the nearby Lach Tray River, has been a key sports and cultural venue in the city since its establishment, hosting various local and national events.

Viet Tri Stadium

Viet Tri Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Viet Tri City, Phu Tho Province, Vietnam. Primarily used for football matches, it serves as the home ground for the local club Phu Tho FC. The stadium reflects the region’s sporting culture and has hosted various regional and national events, contributing to the development of athletics in northern Vietnam.

SEA Games

The SEA Games (Southeast Asian Games) is a biennial multi-sport event involving athletes from 11 countries in Southeast Asia. Established in 1959 as the **Southeast Asian Peninsular Games**, it was originally limited to countries on the peninsula but later expanded to include other regional nations. The event promotes sportsmanship, cultural exchange, and regional unity, featuring traditional and modern sports unique to Southeast Asia.

Haiphong

Haiphong is a major port city in northern Vietnam, known for its colonial architecture, vibrant trade, and strategic coastal location. Established in 1888 under French rule, it became a key industrial and transportation hub. Today, Haiphong blends historical landmarks like the Du Hang Pagoda with modern economic development as part of the Red River Delta region.

FIFA Days

“FIFA Days” likely refers to the international match windows designated by FIFA, when national football teams play official matches, such as World Cup qualifiers or friendlies. These periods, introduced to streamline the football calendar, allow clubs to release players for national duty without conflicts. The system has evolved over time to balance club and international football commitments.

Southeast Asian U23 Championship

The **Southeast Asian U23 Championship** is a biennial football tournament organized by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) for men’s under-23 national teams in Southeast Asia. First held in 2005 (originally as the U23 Youth Championship), it serves as a developmental competition to showcase young talent in the region. The tournament has helped launch the careers of many players who later compete in senior-level events like the AFF Championship and AFC U23 Asian Cup.

Cambodia women’s national team

The Cambodia women’s national football team represents Cambodia in international women’s football and is governed by the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC). Established later than many regional counterparts, the team has been developing its presence in Southeast Asian competitions, such as the AFF Women’s Championship. While still emerging, the team reflects Cambodia’s growing investment in women’s sports, with efforts to improve training and competitiveness in recent years.