The “earthquake” that the Philippine women’s team created against host New Zealand when winning 1-0 inspired the Vietnamese women’s team to aim for the goal of scoring, even gaining points against Portugal. In fact, Southeast Asia has had two women’s teams score and win at the World Cup. In addition to the Philippines, at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, the Thai women’s team defeated Ivory Coast 3-2.

Huynh Nhu's experience playing in Portugal will be of great help to the Vietnamese women's team in this match. Photo: DUC DONG

The goal of scoring or gaining points against Portugal is reasonable for the Vietnamese women's team when the level of the two teams is not too different. On the rankings of the World Football Federation, the Portuguese women's team is ranked 21st, while the Vietnamese women's team is ranked 32nd in the world. Both are "newbies" to the World Cup, but the European representative is rated higher in terms of physique, physical strength and ability to play fiercely. The average height of the Portuguese women's team is 167cm, while the Vietnamese women's team is 160.2cm.

Preparing for the match against Portugal, the Vietnamese women's team has the strongest force when welcoming the return of midfielder Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha and center back Chuong Thi Kieu. With her forte being fast dribbling, Thanh Nha will likely be brought in in the second half to take advantage of quick counterattacks when the opponent is gradually losing strength. Meanwhile, the possibility of Chuong Thi Kieu playing from the start is still uncertain, because although she has fully recovered from injury, this player needs time to get into the rhythm of the whole team and the tournament.

Against Portugal, it is likely that the Vietnamese women's team will not change their playing style as they did in the 0-3 loss to defending champions the United States. As center-back Chuong Thi Kieu affirmed: "The whole team needs to try to play better defense so that the attackers can confidently deploy the ball. Portugal is also a rookie but has reached the final round of the 2023 Women's World Cup, so every team is very strong."

One disadvantage for the Vietnamese women's team is that the match with Portugal takes place at 7:30 p.m. (local time). In New Zealand, it is winter, and there is often cold rain in the evening. Playing in low temperatures will bring many disadvantages to the Vietnamese women's team, while Portugal is very familiar with this kind of weather. Of course, coach Mai Duc Chung and his team have prepared very carefully, especially through training trips in Europe in recent times.

Expected lineup for Vietnam vs Portugal match. Photo: Whoscored

Confident of achieving good results against Portugal, the Vietnamese women's team players are not complacent. Immediately after settling down in Hamilton (where the Vietnam-Portugal match took place), coach Mai Duc Chung and his team started training, touring the stadium, and improving their physical strength. Against a strong opponent like Portugal, the Vietnamese women's team increased their physical exercises and reviewed their ball handling in a narrow area.

According to the experience of Huynh Nhu, who is currently playing at Lank FC (Portugal), the limitation of Portuguese female players is the ability to maneuver within a narrow range. Vietnamese players can completely take advantage of their skillfulness and smoothness in playing style to defend tightly, counterattack quickly, and be ready to create surprises when the opportunity arises.

In terms of Europe, Portuguese women's football is ranked average. Thanks to the large investment of the Portuguese Football Federation in recent times, Portuguese women's football has had significant development: The number of women's football clubs increased from 188 to 366, the number of players (including trainees at the training center) increased from 2,450 to 9,723 (data from JN.pt). In March 2023, the Lisbon derby between Benfica and Sporting attracted more than 27,000 spectators in the stands, setting a new national record for the number of women's football viewers. It is said that although not highly appreciated in Europe, the Portuguese women's team is still superior to the Vietnamese women's team in many aspects.

With an effective defensive counter-attacking game and a courageous fighting spirit, the Vietnamese women's team can completely create a surprise against Portugal. The members of the Vietnamese women's team are expecting a first goal or a first point, but Vietnamese fans are hoping for a first victory at the World Cup for coach Mai Duc Chung and his team.

Prediction : Vietnam - Portugal: 1-1

Expected lineup

Portugal (4-3-1-2) : Ines Pereira, Carole Costa, Catarina Amado, Dolores Silva, Tatiana Pinto, Fatima Pinto, Andreia Norton, Diana Gomes, Ana Borges, Jessica Silva, Diana Silva.

Vietnam (5-4-1) : Kim Thanh - Thu Thao, Thu Thuong, Diem My, Tran Thi Thu, Hoang Thi Loan - Bich Thuy, Hai Linh, Thai Thi Thao, Tuyet Dung - Huynh Nhu.

HOAI PHUONG

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