July 10, (THEWILL) – New Zealand’s preparations for the upcoming Women’s World Cup received a significant boost as they registered a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Vietnam in a friendly match at Napier’s McLean Park.
The win not only marked their first triumph on home soil in over a decade but also ended their 10-match winless streak. The New Zealand team, led by Jitka Klimkova, dominated the game from the outset and took the lead in the 17th minute when defender CJ Bott’s shot from outside the box found the net with a slight deflection. Just before halftime, forward Jacqui Hand completed a brilliant team move to double their advantage.
The return of veteran midfielder, Annalie Longo, who made her first appearance since recovering from a serious knee injury, provided further encouragement for the home side.
New Zealand, co-hosting the Women’s World Cup alongside Australia, will commence their campaign in Group A on July 20 against Norway. The team will be eager to notch their first victory in the tournament after five unsuccessful attempts in previous tournaments. On the other hand, debutants, Vietnam, will face the reigning champions, the United States, in Group E on July 22.
The Kiwis’ winless streak-breaking triumph against Vietnam serves as a confidence booster as they strive to make their mark on the global stage as joint hosts of the biggest competition in women’s football.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
