New Zealand beats Vietnam 2-0 in a warmup game ahead of the Women’s World Cup #Zealand #beats #Vietnam #warmup #game #ahead #Womens #World #Cup

NAPIER, New Zealand (AP) — Co-host New Zealand pulled off a confidence-boosting win 10 days before facing Norway in the opening match of the Women’s World Cup, beating Vietnam 2-0 on Monday in its last warm-up game.

The win was timely, ending the Football Ferns’ 10-match winless streak.

Right back C.J. Bott scored from a corner in the 17th minute, firing home a shot from long range which was deflected by Vietnam defender Thi Thu Thao Tran.

Women referees pose for a portrait after officiating a match in the Morocco's professional women league, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, May 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Morocco’s national women’s team will make its debut this month at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the first to qualify from an Arab world where many are crazy for the men’s game.

FILE - Canada's Christine Sinclair (12) and Trinidad and Tobago's Victoria Swift compete for the ball during a CONCACAF women's championship soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, July 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

Christine Sinclair will lead the Canadian women’s national team at the upcoming Women’s World Cup. Sinclair, international soccer’s all-time leading scorer among men and women, is playing in her sixth World Cup.

United States midfielder Lindsey Horan, left, and Sophia Smith, center, celebrate with forward Trinity Rodman, right, who scored in the second half of a FIFA Women's World Cup send-off soccer match against Wales in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, July 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)

Rising star Trinity Rodman scored for U.S. in the 76th minute and again in the 88th, and the Americans finally capitalized on their many offensive chances to beat Wales 2-0 in a final tuneup for the Women’s World Cup.

Zambian players celebrate after scoring their side's second goal during the women's international soccer match between Germany and Zambia at Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer in Furth, Germany, Friday July 7, 2023. (Daniel Karmann/dpa via AP)

A report in The Guardian newspaper says the coach of the Zambia team preparing to make its debut at the Women’s World Cup has been accused of sexual misconduct and the case was referred to world body FIFA last year for investigation.

Jacqui Hand scored just before halftime to give New Zealand a 2-0 lead, which endured throughout the second half. Indiah-Paige Riley delivered a cross from the right and Hand had a simple tap in at the left post.

New Zealand was more proactive in front of goal than it has been for some time under coach Jitka Klimkova, taking 19 shots to Vietnam’s one in the first half alone.

While it couldn’t add to its lead in the second half, New Zealand continued to test the Vietnam goalkeeper.

Both teams avoided any late injury concerns before the World Cup, being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, kicks off at Auckland’s Eden Park on July 20.