Building confidence was the main benefit from New Zealand’s 2-0 win against Vietnam in Napier, says Ferns coach Jitka Klimková.
“Seeing how we played and having this winning result is very helpful with our confidence to go further and be more prepared for our first game at the World Cup,” she told a post-game media briefing.
The result gave the Ferns their first win on home soil in 12 years, their first clean sheet in 11 games and broke a winless streak of 10 internationals.
Main photo: Jitka Klimková … ‘very helpful with our confidence.’
“The first half was an incredible performance, a lot of good combination play, things which we were working on,” Klimková said.
“And I’m so happy that we scored and that we actually kept the clean sheet. Those are two things that we were working the most on, to be more efficient in front of our goal in attack and be gritty in front of our goal defensively.”
READ MORE: Ferns restore World Cup optimism with dominant win against Vietnam >>>>
Scorer of New Zealand’s second goal Jacqui Hand was delighted to play in front of a crowd of 6,215.
“There’s absolutely no feeling like playing at home,” she said.
“It’s incredible to have so many people come out, and the first time we’ve played an international match in Napier and to see all of them out there was just an amazing feeling.
“It’s always good to get those goals, but I think, yeah, the performance tonight was, was such a confidence booster in that we were able to create so many chances, and yeah, putting ’em away is always a good thing.”
Watch the media briefing
Result
Game played on Monday July 10, 2023
Venue: McLean Park, Napier
Attendance: 6,215
New Zealand 2 (CH Bott 17′, Jacqui Hand 44′)
Vietnam 0
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