Portugal’s coach, Francisco Neto, strategically made seven changes to the team following their 1-0 loss to the Netherlands in their Group E opener. This calculated decision proved successful as Portugal secured their first ever World Cup victory, thanks to first-half goals scored by Encarnacao and Francisca Nazareth.
Portugal currently holds the third position in Group E with a total of three points. In their upcoming final group game, they will be competing against the United States in Auckland. On the other hand, Vietnam, who has yet to score or earn a single point, will be facing off against the Netherlands in Dunedin. Both matches are scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
The United States and the Netherlands are currently tied with four points each in the standings. However, the United States currently holds the top spot due to their superior goal difference. This outcome came after the teams played to a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
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| Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group E – Portugal v Vietnam – Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand – July 27, 2023 Vietnam’s Tran Thi Thu Thao in action with Portugal’s Ana Capeta. Photo: Reuters |
Portugal showcased a remarkable performance in Hamilton, shining brightly under the floodlights. Despite the scoreline not fully reflecting their dominance, Neto expressed immense satisfaction with the victory, which stood in stark contrast to their struggling display against the Netherlands.
“It holds immense significance for all the players,” declared the Portuguese coach, who has held his post since 2014. “I am elated to be present and partake in this competition. This triumphant accomplishment is a heartfelt tribute to all the players, both past and present.”
The United States will present a whole new level of challenge. Despite our recent victory, there is still ample room for improvement.
Portugal took an early lead against Encarnacao with a clinical goal from Lucia Alves’ cross, as Encarnacao neatly finished first-time. Encarnacao then turned provider for Nazareth, who confidently struck the ball past goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh in the 21st minute.
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| Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group E – Portugal v Vietnam – Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand – July 27, 2023 Portugal’s Telma Encarnacao in action with Vietnam’s Tran Thi Thu, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha and Hoang Thi Loan. Photo: Reuters |
The disparity between the two teams in the world rankings is relatively small, with Portugal holding a slightly higher position at 21. However, the match showcased a clear dominance from the European side, with a total of five shots on target in the first half alone.
Kim Thanh, who played a crucial role in limiting the United States to three goals in Vietnam’s previous match, once again proved instrumental in keeping the opposition from scoring more than two goals. Despite their efforts, the team was unable to achieve a better outcome.
Despite the valiant efforts of Kim Thanh, Vietnam faced challenges in generating opportunities during the match and were only able to produce one shot on target. This occurred when Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy attempted a strike, which was blocked by a commendable save by Patricia Morais shortly before the halftime interval.
“In the first half, I felt there was room for improvement within the team,” commented Mai Duc Chung, the coach of Vietnam. “With their superior ranking and European background, they clearly outmatched us. This encounter served as a valuable learning experience for our team.”
As a coach, I have learned a lot from this tournament. “We have identified our weaknesses and can use this experience as a learning opportunity.”
