New Zealand defeats Vietnam 2-0 in Last Pre-World Cup Qualifying Match
First-half goals from defender CJ Bott and forward Jacqui Hand helped New Zealand end their 10-match winless streak with a victory. Their previous win was a 2-1 friendly victory over Philippines in the United States in September 2022. Coach Jitka Klimkova expressed the importance of this win and the team’s performance, stating, “This win and this performance were really important for us,” in an interview with Sky Sport NZ. New Zealand showcased their dominance from the start, taking the lead in the 17th minute with a deflected low shot from Bott outside the box. Just before halftime, an unmarked Hand rounded off a fantastic team move to further solidify New Zealand’s advantage. The return of veteran midfielder Annalie Longo provided a significant boost for the home side. Longo played the final 20 minutes of the match, marking her first appearance for the team since recovering from a serious knee injury in September. New Zealand, co-hosting the World Cup alongside Australia, will be...