After battling through two stages of Tokyo 2020 qualifying, Mai Duc Chung’s 32nd-ranked side are now within 180 minutes of completing a history-making charge to the Olympic football tournament, something that has never been achieved by a Vietnamese side in the men’s or women’s game.

Current AFF Championship holders and gold medallists at the last two SEA Games, Vietnam must now overcome seventh-ranked Australia over two legs to qualify for the Olympics, and Nhung, while aware of the enormity of the task, has her eyes on the prize.

Group winners in last month’s Final Round, and strong favourites to seal a trip to a second successive Olympic Games in the week ahead, Australia will be aiming to give themselves a sizeable lead ahead of Wednesday’s return leg in Quang Ninh.

One of six Melbourne City players in the current Matildas squad, Catley has been a regular contributor to the club’s dominant Australian W-League campaign, with the team winning 12 consecutive matches to easily become league Premiers, with the Championship trophy still up for grabs.

With such momentum behind her, and so many of her club teammates also playing key roles in the national team, Catley believes Melbourne City’s dream run can be a valuable asset to a Matildas outfit hoping to secure a second successive Olympic appearance.

Drawn against the likes of Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord, Vietnam are clear outsiders in the two-legged play-off, which begins in Newcastle on Friday, with the winners to advance to July’s Tokyo 2020 women’s football tournament.

The Matildas have the more celebrated players, the stronger international pedigree, and, for Friday’s first leg, home ground advantage, but while Vietnam – ranked 25 places behind Australia at 32nd in the world – face an uphill battle, Dung said the team’s strength lies in its unity.

Milicic expects Vietnam to adopt a defensive approach but said it was important for the Matildas to not only convert their chances but to also not concede against the Southeast Asians.

As the long and winding road to Tokyo 2020 nears the finish line, the-AFC.com takes a look at some of the key numbers from the previous round of Qualifiers.

After a tough learning curve for a young squad at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, Takakura’s troops have their focus firmly on this year’s Olympics.

FIFA.com sat down with the former midfielder and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup-winning coach to discuss last year’s “disappointing” World Cup, and welcoming the world to Japan for Tokyo 2020.