Football

Goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh earns the highest points from Sofascore during the match between Việt Nam and New Zealand on July 10 in Napier. New Zealand win 2-0. AFP/VNA Photo

NAPIER — Việt Nam lost 2-0 to New Zealand in their friendly match on Monday at McLean Park in Napier.

First-half goals from defender CJ Bott and forward Jacqui Hand helped New Zealand to break a 10-match losing streak. Their last victory was a 2-1 win over Philippines in a friendly in the United States in September 2022.

The game was Việt Nam's second loss within a month after a 2-1 defeat to Germany in June.

New Zealand, ranked No 26 in the world, dominated from the start and took the lead in the 17th minute when right back Bott scored from a corner, firing home a shot from long range which was deflected by Vietnamese defender Trần Thị Thu Thảo.

Hand scored just before halftime to give New Zealand a 2-0 lead, which endured throughout the second half. Indiah-Paige Riley delivered a cross from the right and Hand had a simple tap in at the left post.

New Zealand was more proactive in front of the goal than they have been for some time under coach Jitka Klimkova, delivering 19 shots to Việt Nam’s 1 in the first half alone.

Vietnamese players seen in an attempt to resist New Zealand's attack.

While it couldn’t add to its lead in the second half, New Zealand continued to test the goalkeeper Thanh who successfully denied 10 attempts from the host's forwards.

Despite conceding two goals, Thanh was given 8.6 points by Sofascore, the highest among the players of the game.

Other players of Việt Nam also achieving high results were midfielder Dương Thị Vân with 7.1 points. Despite her smaller size compared to the New Zealanders, she bossed 10 out or 13 duels and was successful in six tackles.

Forward Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã who is said to have received offers from three clubs to compete abroad scored 6.8 points and defender Diễm My had 6.6 points.

Hand was the best player on the host side with 8.1 points.

New Zealand, co-hosting the World Cup with Australia, will begin their campaign against former champions Norway in Group A on July 20 as they seek their first win in six appearances at the tournament.

Newcomers Việt Nam, world No 32, will have the last warm up against Spain on July 14. They will face defending champions the United States in Group E on July 22. VNS