Portuguese newspaper hopes for win over Vietnam in Women’s World Cup

Portugal are in the same group as Vietnam, the defending champion U.S. and the defending runner-up Netherlands in their first ever Women’s World Cup.

“The tasks for Portugal will not be easy, but maybe we won’t have to go home empty-handed, because we will face Vietnam, also going to play in their first Women’s World Cup,” said Observador reporter Francisco Martins.

Portugal are 22nd in the world rankings while Vietnam are 34th.

“The U.S. have no trouble getting titles,” wrote Martins. “When the ball is at their feet, they always know what to do.”

The team are currently first in women’s world ranking, having won four World Cup titles in the past eight tournaments.

The Netherlands will be without star forward Vivianne Miedema due to an injury, but they still have Lieke Martens, the best player of 2017.

“Portugal will have more chances to score when playing Vietnam,” Martins wrote.

The 2023 Women’s World Cup will take place from July 20 to Aug. 20 in Australia and New Zealand, with 32 teams divided into eight groups. The top two teams in each group will advance to the next round. Portugal were the last team to be revealed to be playing in group E after defeating Cameroon 2-1 in the playoff round on Thursday.