2023 Women’s World Cup: Portugal sends fellow debutant out of tournament
by Daniel Mfoniso
Vietnam’s world cup hopes came to an end in a 2-0 defeat to Portugal during their Group E 2nd leg show down at Waikato Stadium.
In an historic night for the debutants, the two team came into the match to avoid defeat in order to keep their hopes of advancing from the group stage following their previous defeats to U.S.A and Netherland respectively.
South-East Asian side conceded the first fastest goal of the tournament, 7th minutes into the game from Telma Encarnacão who connected to Lucia Alves’ pass to score the team’s first-ever World Cup goal. Kika Nazareth tacked on the second for the Portugese through Encarnacao slips through-pass at the 21st minutes to make Portugal became the first debutant team in this year’s tournament to score multiple goals.
Although the Golden Star Warriors pushed hard to caused problems with Kim Thanh’s efforts, Vietnam struggled to create chances and managed only one shot on target in the match when Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy drew a save from Patrícia Morais just before the break.
However, a dominant display from Os Navegadores see them control the majority of the proceedings gave the Vietnams little to no room to express themselves. But Roque Neto’s side were not clinical enough to add another goal.
Portugal are third in Group E with three points and will face the USA in their final group game in Auckland. While Vietnam, who are yet to score or pick up a point, take on the Netherlands in Dunedin. Both matches will be played on Tuesday simultaneously.
The USA are level on four points with the Netherlands but top the table on goal difference after the teams drew 1-1 earlier today.
