Huynh Nhu: 'I know Portugal's weakness'

* Vietnam - Portugal: 14:30 on July 27, on MetaSports.

"I know the potential of Portugal. I also know the strengths and weaknesses of many Portuguese players when they competed in the domestic league last season. Thanks to that, I will have solutions for myself. Hope it will help the Vietnamese team when they face Portugal in the upcoming match," Huynh Nhu said before today's training session on July 25.

Huynh Nhu joined Lank FC on August 26, 2022. Last season, she played 23 matches, scored seven goals, provided two assists for Lank in the Portuguese women's championship. It is expected that after the 2023 World Cup, this striker will extend his contract with Lank.

Lank club did not contribute any players to Portugal for the 2023 World Cup. But Huynh Nhu also "acquainted" many opponents in the next match, because Portugal has 17 players competing in the country.

Portugal entered the Women's World Cup for the first time. In the opening match in Group E, they only lost 0-1 to the Netherlands and made the defending runner-up team struggle for 90 minutes. Vietnam is also a rookie in this playground, and is considered successful when only losing to the US - the defending champion, the world's number one team - with a score of 0-3 in the first round.

"After the match with the US, we have learned many lessons. The team practiced more, trying to overcome the mistakes in the last match to prepare for the next match against Portugal," Huynh Nhu added.

Besides the two results of Vietnam and Portugal on the opening day, the reality at the 2023 World Cup also shows that the level between the participating teams is not too different. Many teams with low FIFA ranks have created some surprises. Haiti only lost to England 0-1, rookie Republic of Ireland also made the host Australia struggle to win with a minimal margin, while the first team to attend the World Cup Philippines also defeated the host New Zealand 1-0.

"The level difference between the current women's teams is not too big. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to get closer to the world football level. I believe that, if Vietnam has the opportunity to compete in the next World Cups, the team will play even better," Huynh Nhu added.

Today, the Vietnamese team continues to practice at Fred Taylor Park, Auckland. Tomorrow morning, at 10 am local time, the team moves to Hamilton to prepare for the match against Portugal on July 27.