GERMANY Striker Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha was emotional after scoring against the world's second-best team, Germany, in a friendly match ahead of the 2023 Women's World Cup.
"I am extremely happy and excited. I am still in a daze," Thanh Nha shared with VnExpress after the friendly match against Germany, losing 1-2 at Bieberer Berg Stadium (Offenbach am Main). "It was just a friendly, but we were seriously preparing for the World Cup, so both teams played their best. Therefore, this goal was very meaningful to me and the team. For me personally, it was an unforgettable historical moment because I tore the net of the world's number two team."
Thanh Nha celebrates after scoring against Germany, in a friendly match at Bieberer Berg Stadium on June 24.
Thanh Nha 's forte is as a winger, but recently she has tended to move up to take advantage of her scoring ability. Thanks to that, she won the 2023 National Cup Top Scorer award, scored a super goal against Nepal in the Olympic qualifiers and two goals at the 32nd SEA Games - including a super goal against Myanmar in the final. Yesterday, in the context of captain Huynh Nhu's injury, the 22-year-old talent was placed in the starting role as a right striker.
Thanh Nha did not disappoint the trust of coach Mai Duc Chung. In addition to her attacking role, she often dropped back to support the defense and participate in organizing the play. In the 42nd minute, Thanh Nha advanced from the left wing and passed the ball into the middle for Duong Thi Van to shoot from a distance, forcing goalkeeper Merle Frohms to jump up and block. Three minutes later, Thanh Nha tried her luck, but the ball went right to Frohms. In the 90+2 minute, "number 19" was also successful. After a pass from Van Su, Thanh Nha accelerated from home, got past the German defense and shot with her left foot into the far corner, defeating goalkeeper Frohms.
"Before the match, we told ourselves to play well and limit the number of goals we conceded, but we didn't think we could score against a strong opponent like Germany," Thanh Nha said. "Deep down, everyone wanted to score, but it was very difficult. So when the opportunity came, I told myself to take advantage of this moment, and I did. The goal that narrowed the gap was a bit lucky, but it was the collective effort."
The winger also revealed that before scoring, she almost had to go out due to cramps around the 75th minute after trying to stretch the ball. At that time, Thanh Nha felt like she couldn't run anymore, but after sitting down to stretch, her legs felt fine again so she got up and continued playing.
The Vietnamese women's team received great support from fans, despite playing in Germany. Photo: BDF
Besides her personal joy, Thanh Nha felt sorry for her teammates because the German goalkeeper denied them many opportunities. "Hai Yen, Duong Van, Tuyet Dung and Vu Thi Hoa played well and did their job, but the German goalkeeper was too good. Otherwise, Vietnam could have had better results," Thanh Nha shared. "Anyway, facing a strong opponent also helped us gain many useful lessons for the World Cup."
Although playing in Germany, the team still received great support from the stands. Thanh Nha said she was surprised by the overwhelming support from overseas Vietnamese. "The audience was so large, it felt like we were playing at home in Cam Pha, Quang Ninh . Their support was a great motivation for us to play well. We are very grateful to the audience abroad."
After this match, Thanh Nha and her teammates will play friendly matches with New Zealand and Spain before entering the 2023 World Cup in July.
Vnexpress.net
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