In their last public game before the World Cup kicks off, the Ford Football Ferns take on Vietnam at McLean Park, Napier tomorrow evening.

It’s a history making fixture, as the Ferns have never played Vietnam before, nor have they ever played in Napier. With the World Cup squad of 23 all in Napier, head coach Jitka Klimková has the opportunity to test out her strongest starting XI before the Ferns’ World Cup opener against Norway at Eden Park on July 20.

Likely line up

Newly named co-captain Ria Percival looks set to make her first appearance for the Ferns in 454 days after successfully recovering from her serious knee injury. With the question of whether Annalie Longo might make her first appearance for the Ferns since September also in the air, and Malia Steinmetz and Betsy Hassett impressing lately, Klimková will have a (welcome) headache as she weighs up her options in the middle of the park.

Up front she also has some big de Targetting this game as one for the Ferns to create and put chances away, what wing and forward combinations will she play when she has Liv Chance, Grace Jale, Gabi Rennie, Jacqui Hand, Indiah-Paige Riley, Hannah Wilkinson, Paige Satchell and Milly Clegg all at her disposal?

From the co-captains Ali Riley and Ria Percival on preparations for tomorrow’s game

AR: “If you looked at everyone's attitude today, everyone is soaked to the bone, but everyone is smiling, everyone is making sure we're ticking everything that needs to be done ahead of Vietnam. We're taking this game super seriously. And then of course part of that is getting those behaviours, those habits, the discipline, the standards in place so that we are ready for July 20.”

RP: “This is our last warmup game before we step on the pitch for the World Cup and for us, we know what we need to focus on, what our game plan is and really how we want to play.  

For us, it is about the win, and also about us putting on a good performance, showing New Zealand and gaining confidence in ourselves that in 11 days’ time that we'll show up and be ready to go.”

Head coach Jitka Klimková on the challenge she’s expecting from Vietnam

“[Vietnam is] a team that plays a different style than any other opposition we played during our World Cup preparation. So there’s going to be a lot of marking on the field, which we’ve trained for and know this is what is expected from their defensive phase of play.

“We just need to really be aware of each other, we need to play for each other, create channels for each other. And yeah, we want to spend as much time as possible with the ball and combining and creating chances.”

What should we expect from Vietnam?

Don’t sleep on the fact that this will be Vietnam’s first appearance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup. They’re the 2023 Southeast Asian Games gold medallists, their fourth on the trot (although it may be worth noting that they lost 2-1 to Ferns’ group opponents Philippines in their final group game). Their last hit out was against world number 2 side Germany, and they narrowly went down 2-1 after a resolute defensive display, with man-marking a key tactic deployed.

Players to watch

Huỳnh Như is Vietnam’s talisman. The 31-year-old plays in Portugal’s Campeonato Nacional de Futebol Feminino for Lank Vilaverdense, the only Vietnamese player to play outside of Asia, and is Vietnam’s record goalscorer with 67 goals in 72 appearances.

At the other end of the experience spectrum, young gun Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã is another player to keep an eye on. Netting for Vietnam against Germany and comfortable on the wing or up front, the 21-year-old is known for her pace and eye for goal.

What’s in store for Vietnam during the World Cup?

Drawn in Group E, the world number 32 team will open their campaign against the reigning champions the United States of America at Eden Park, then take on Portugal at Waikato Stadium before their final group game against the Netherlands at Dunedin Stadium.

During the World Cup, Vietnam’s Team Base Camp will be in Auckland at Fred Taylor Park, West Coast Rangers’ home ground.

Match details

Ford Football Ferns v Vietnam

McLean Park, Napier

5.30pm kick off

Get your tickets here

Watch live on Sky Sport

Article added: Sunday 09 July 2023