Bắc giang
Vietnamese women's football club receive $400,000 after historic AFC Champions League semifinal berth
With their dramatic comeback and historic qualification for the AFC Women's Champions League semifinals, Ho Chi Minh City I Women's Football Club (HCMC I WFC) have received bonuses and prize money worth around US$400,000.
On March 22, HCMC stunned fans with a thrilling 5–4 victory over Abu Dhabi Country Club, despite trailing 0–3 at halftime.
 |
|
HCMC I WFC players celebrate their 5-4 victory over Abu Dhabi Country on March 22, 2025 at Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City. |
The match marked a turning point for coach Doan Thi Kim Chi and her players, as they became the first Vietnamese club to reach the semifinals of Asia’s most prestigious women’s club football tournament.
In recognition of their achievement, the team were immediately awarded VND500 million by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), VND200 million by the Ho Chi Minh City Football Federation (HFF), VND200 million by the HCMC People’s Committee, VND100 million by the Department of Culture and Sports (VND100 million = $3,905).
In addition to domestic rewards, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) granted the club $120,000 for advancing to the semifinals.
Earlier in the group stage in October 2024, HCMC were awarded $100,000 from the AFC, including $20,000 per win, with victories over Taichung Blue Whale (Taiwan) and Odisha FC (India), VND300 million from the VFF and VND100 million from the HFF.
Altogether, the team has received VND8.8 billion in international prizes and around VND1.4 billion in domestic bonuses. The bonus money from the group stage was distributed among players during the Lunar New Year 2025 in January.
In the upcoming semi-finals on May 21, HCMC will face China’s Wuhan Jiangda, who advanced after a 6–5 penalty shootout win over Japan’s Urawa Red. AFC has yet to confirm the venue for the semifinal, but options include Vietnam or a neutral host.
The other semifinal features Incheon Red Angels (South Korea) against Melbourne City FC (Australia).
If HCMC advance to the final, the club will receive an additional $500,000, while the champion will be awarded $1 million, according to AFC regulations.
After securing the semifinal spot, players were given a rest day before going to Hanoi.
Foreign midfielder Aubrey Rae Goodwill has returned to the U.S., while striker Sabrina Cabrera canceled her return flight to accompany the team in Hanoi.
Meanwhile, two overseas Vietnamese players, Ashley Tram Anh and Chelsea Le were still registered for the National Cup. All four international players were signed on short-term contracts to strengthen the squad.
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on February 26 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, the governing body of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, extending their partnership until 2028.
Vietnam's Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC is one of only 13 football clubs worldwide that remain unbeaten in their respective national championships for the 2024-2025 season.
Businesses and organizations have announced rewards worth billions of dong (VND1 billion = US$39,000) for Vietnam’s national football team following their victory in the 2024 ASEAN Cup final.
The world football governing body FIFA showed special interest in Vietnamese football by congratulating its men’s national team on winning the ASEAN Cup 2024 and encouraging striker Nguyen Xuan Son, who unfortunately suffered a serious injury in the second leg of the final in Thailand on January 5 evening.
Hundreds of people booked tours to Thailand right on the night of Jan. 2 to watch the second leg of the ASEAN Cup football final.
The Vietnam national football team received a generous bonus after a 5-1 aggregate win over Singapore in the semifinals to advance to the ASEAN Cup final.
Reader's comments (0)