New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets the Vietnamese women's football team. (Photo: VNA) "I was at the live draw in Auckland, and when I heard Vietnam's namecalled and realised we would be hosting you in New Zealand, I was sopleased," said Ardern.
"Knowing that we would be sharing those firsts, Vietnam's first World Cupand our first time hosting the finals – I knew it would be special. And, ofcourse, even down in New Zealand, we have heard about the Vietnam Golden StarWomen Warriors.
"We have a word for women like your football team – we call them"Wāhine Toa". Literally, it means "strong women" but itmeans strong of body, mind and spirit, and I think it perfectly epitomises the Vietnamteam," she said.
Vietnam will play all their Group E matches in New Zealand. They will beagainst the powerful US, world No. 1 and defending champions, and theNetherlands, a silver medallist and one of the winners from a playoff round.
"I know the team has drawn a tough group with the US and the Netherlands.My advice as someone who hasn't played world-class football, of course, is justto focus on playing your game. I have heard about how much joy the team plays withand how much passion, and I believe if you bring that to New Zealand, you canbeat anyone," she said.
Ardern said hosting the World Cup was a big deal for New Zealand. The co-hostwants to ensure that all teams have everything they need so that Australia andNew Zealand can host the best World Cup event ever.
"At this stage, I think the main thing we want to do is reassure all theteams about the great hosting experience they will have.
"For teams coming to New Zealand, I know there will be a lot of questionsabout the venues and pre-tournament training facilities. I am absolutely surethat our hosting team is working hard to ensure that we can answer all of thequestions your team management has.
"And then, of course, we're getting New Zealanders ready to be the besthosts Vietnam has ever experienced."
Asked if the World Cup would inspire more women to get involved in sports andhow sports can play a role in women's empowerment, Ardern said: "Iabsolutely think the World Cup will inspire young women and girls to givesports a go. Unfortunately, even in sports-mad New Zealand, women and girlsstill face inequalities when it comes to participation, and visibility withinsport".
"Events like the World Cup help particularly with visibility and as hosts– that's something we really want to maximise."
Ardern presented head coach Mai Duc Chung and each player a scarf, an officialproduct for World Cup, because they are going to compete in the cold weathercity of Auckland.
Coach Chung, on behalf of the team, said he was proud to take charge Vietnamteam at the New Zealand World Cup.
He was very glad to see the organising activities and preparation of the hostsfor the competition.
"The facilities for World Cup are incredible. I have nothing to complainabout. It is our great honour to meet with PM Jacinda Ardern, who put asidetime for us although she was busy," said Chung.
"She is friendly and charming like the New Zealanders I have evermet."
The national team will be chosen after the first leg of the National Women'sFootball Championship in February 2023.
According to the Vietnam Football Federation, they will have several intensivetraining courses in Europe, where they will play with strong rivals to sharpentheir skills ahead of the World Cup./.
VNA
