Football

Huỳnh Như of Việt Nam competes for the ball against Andi Sullivan and Emily Fox of USA during the FIFA Women's World Cup Group E match on July 22. Photo courtesy of FIFA

HÀ NỘI — Captain Huỳnh Như's experience of Portuguese football is expected to be Việt Nam's advantage in its second Group E match at the FIFA Women's World Cup on July 27 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Như has been competing in the Portuguese league for nearly one year. As a regular face in the Lank FC squad, she has met with most of the players in the Portugal national team.

"I understand their abilities, know their strong and weak points and I have my own plan when playing against them. I hope that my knowledge will help Việt Nam," said Như who scored seven goals and assisted two in her 23 matches for Lank.

Việt Nam lost 3-0 to the defending champions the US in the first match. Meanwhile, Portugal was defeated 1-0 by the Netherlands.

In the tough Group E, Portugal, world No 21 and also a newbie in this global competition, is the most suitable opponent for Việt Nam, world No 32.

"We learnt a lot from the match with the US. We have been working hard to improve our ability, fix problems and target positive results in the match against Portugal," Như said.

“I have seen lower-ranked teams making surprises in this World Cup. I believe that the gap between finalists is not too big. It is a good sign for Việt Nam in this tournament. In the future, if we have a chance at the World Cup, we will definitely do much better."

Việt Nam Football Federation President Trần Quốc Tuấn visited the team on July 25 and asked players to focus on the second match. He urged them to play with their best effort so they could bring good news to fans, referring to the first World Cup goal and further, a point, at the world-level tournament.

"I hope you will go on the field with the highest determination and strongest spirit. Competing with all your best to make an impressive mark in our first go at the World Cup," he said.

Vietnamese players train for the match against Portugal on July 27. — Photo of VFF

On the other side, coach Francisco Neto said that Portugal will take charge of Thursday's meeting with offensive dynamics.

"Both with the US and in particular with Germany and New Zealand, Việt Nam has always had very dangerous situations in its transitions. Việt Nam's great offensive strength is its advantage", he said.

He said his side has to attack, try to keep possession of the ball, have good dynamics between players, and look for the finishing zones.

"We always have to be balanced and respect the opponent as much as possible, because this is a World Cup game and whoever is here has great quality. We have to be very careful when we lose the ball and when Việt Nam has it," Neto said.

His key forward Carolina Mendes also said Việt Nam were an awkward rival and the team may create difficulties for Portugese players.

Coach Francisco Neto Portugal (centre), speaks to players in a huddle after the team's FIFA Women's World Cup Group E match against the Netherlands on July 23. — Photo courtesy of FIFA

“We saw in the game they played against the US, they are a very tough, very competitive team, and we are going to have to cancel that out and impose our style of play with our identity. If we do, we will be able to beat Việt Nam,” she said.

The most senior and best scorer among the 23 players, with 23 goals in 115 international games, knew that the match with Việt Nam would be different from their debut against the Netherlands.

“Việt Nam will pose other difficulties for us, as they are two completely different teams. There are things that we really have to change in order to be better ”, she said.

Việt Nam vs Portugal will begin at 7.30p m local time and 2.30 pm Hà Nội time.

On the same day, at 1 pm local time in Wellington, the US will face the Netherlands, almost like a replay of the 2019 final, when the US won 2-0. VNS