Football

Chương Thị Kiều (left) with teammate Trần Thị Thu during their July 24 training session in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI — 'Iron defender' Chương Thị Kiều was confident Việt Nam would play well in their second FIFA World Cup match against Portugal on July 27 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

On Saturday, Kiều took part in her first match with the national team for more than a year because of two leg surgeries. She has not totally recovered but coach Mai Đức Chung still picked her for the World Cup squad.

She came on from the bench in the opening match of Group E which saw Việt Nam's put up a brave fight against defending champions, the USA who won 3-0.

Vietnamese players held their morning training session on July 24 in Auckland and Kiều made a short interview with reporters.

"I have not recovered 100 per cent but I am confident to play," said the 27-year-old.

"In the game with the US, I was put on to the field and felt scared with the ball and my touch was not good at first because it was a long time since my last game because of my injuries. But I played better and better as the match went on.

Asked about the next game against Portugal, who lost 1-0 to the Netherlands on July 23, Kiều said it was a strong team and Việt Nam will have to work hard.

"Portugal is also a newbie at the World Cup. But in the finals, every team is strong, no matter how long they have played in the competition," she said.

"We have to defend better. At the same time, we should carry out different attack plans and create chances to score. I believe that the most important thing is our determination and confidence."

Their second match will be in the evening when the weather is much colder. As a team from the hot and humid summer region, Vietnamese players are facing big challenges with the weather in New Zealand since their first days in the country.

Vietnamese players are asked to play with confidence and a strong defence against Portugal on July 27. — Photo of VFF

However, Kiều said her team adapted well to the local weather.

"It is cold but not a problem," she said. "We have been here for a few weeks and are familiar with it. Now, we are focusing on improving our fitness and being ready for the next match."

Việt Nam will train in Auckland's Fred Taylor Park on July 25 and will move to Hamilton the next day. They will have one official training session at the Porritt Stadium in the afternoon.

Their match against Portugal is at 7.30pm local time which is 2.30pm Hà Nội time.

After the first matches, the US topped Group E, followed by the Netherlands and Portugal. Việt Nam is at the bottom, suffering a loss like Portugal but having a worse goal difference.

Despite their loss in the first match, the team received a VNĐ800 million (US$34,000) as a bonus from the Việt Nam Football Federation.

VFF President Trần Quốc Tuấn and some other officials came to watch the match and appreciated their brave performance. VNS