Vietnam face weather challenges at Women's World Cup

It is currently a hot summer in Vietnam, while in New Zealand, the temperature will drop significantly because it is winter there.

Head coach Mai Duc Chung is not too worried because Vietnam will have two weeks to get used to the winter in New Zealand. Chung said the coaching staff will make sure that the players are in the best shape before the tournament.

"Before the SEA Games, we trained in the cold weather of Japan then went to Cambodia, a very hot place, but the players quickly adapted. The weather change from hot to cold is a challenge but not for us only, as other teams will also have face it," Chung said.

Besides the weather problem, Vietnam will have to face super strong opponents in the group stage. The U.S. are the defending champions, while the Netherlands finished as runner-up at the previous tournament. The remaining team of group E, Portugal are considered a chance for Vietnam to win their first-ever point at the Women’s World Cup.

Vietnam departed on Wednesday for New Zealand, where they will stay in the Rydges. This is a four-star hotel in Auckland and it is located near Eden Park, the national stadium of New Zealand, where Vietnam will play their opening game of the World Cup.

Vietnam will play two friendlies with the host New Zealand on July 10 and Spain on July 14 before the World Cup. In the group stage, Vietnam will play the U.S. on July 22, Portugal on the 27 and Netherlands three days later.

All matches of the tournament will use VAR technology and Oceanuz, a ball that is equipped with a sensor which can assist the referees in determining offside plays.