(From left to right) New Zealand Ambassador Tredene Dobson, national team captain Huynh Nhu, Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong cut a cake during the farewell party on July 2 in Hanoi. (Photo courtesy of the New Zealand Embassy) Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, GeneralSecretary of the Vietnam FootballFederation Duong Nghiep Khoi, and the national team’s head coach Mai DucChung, as well as five players attended the event in Hanoi on July 2.
Guests had the chance to meet team members and wish them luckahead of their historic journey while enjoying some captivating entertainment.
The two ambassadors also presented farewell gifts to the team.
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will be the third most watchsporting event in the world, and a great opportunity to promote women insport," said Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski.
"I congratulate you all on being part of this incrediblesporting occasion. As Prime Ministers Anthony Norman Albanese and Pham Minh Chinhsaid at a recent meeting with the team, ‘You are already winners, go and enjoyyourselves – you’ve already made us proud’.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand Ambassador Tredene Dobson expressed herexcitement as the date of departure approaches, saying: “We have been waitingfor this day for so long and are delighted to welcome the Vietnamese women’snational football team to Aotearoa New Zealand as the team plays in its firstever FIFA Women’s World Cup.
"This reception is a great opportunity to wish them the verybest of luck for their historic journey ahead. We know that Vietnam’s goldengirls will do Vietnam proud and we look forward to people of Aotearoa NewZealand getting to know the fighting spirit that they have displayed in thelead up to this competition.”
At the event, Khoi also announced that the song Vietnam Oi by musician Bui Quang Minhwould be the official song of the team in the World Cup. It would be played inevery squad's game during their time in the global football competition.
The team will depart for New Zealand on July 5 to prepare for thegroup round where they will have two friendly matches against the hosts andSpain.
Their tournament will begin on July 22 against defending championsthe US. The other rivals are Portugal (July 27) and the Netherlands(August 1) in Group E./.
VNA
