Huynh Nhu is the first Vietnamese female footballer to play abroad. (Photo courtesy of Huynh Nhu)Nhu was put in the field in the 88th minute as Lank FC defeated Valadares 1-0on away ground in the first tier Campeonato Nacional Feminino in Portugal, on September11.
Nhu played around 10 minutes including added time and helped the team protecttheir only goal scored in the 30th minute by Sini Laaksonen.
Despite little time on the field, Nhu also made her mark with a solo attackfrom the left wing to the box and sent the ball back to her teammates who couldnot make it an accurate finish.
Earlier, she also supported and created smart passes to teammates even thoughthe striker faced bigger and taller defenders.
"It is my first match wearing a jersey of a new club with a new number ina new land. There are many things that I will have to improve to integrate withmy team," Nhu posted on her Facebook page.
"I hope to receive love and support that you have given to me like youhave always done in this new routine. Thank you for your encouragement andpush. Thank you very much!," the 31-year-old wrote.
Speaking about his newcomer, coach Daniel Pacheco said: "Nhu isintegrating into the team that is already very solid, already with greatrelationships.
"It was easy to integrate her, the team welcomed her well, they understandthat she is coming from a completely different context and what I have feltfrom the working group is a big desire to help her assimilate as quickly aspossible.
"She is a player that stands out in technique, she is a high-scoringplayer, thus we are prepared to enhance all of that within her," he added.
Meanwhile, sport manager Tannu Hanne said: "This contract between Nhu andLank is significant. We have high and good expectations. We are excited aboutwhat she may do here for us and we are confident a lot."
In the next matches, Lank will host Torreense on home soil on September 18during the Campeonato Nacional Feminino and visit Famalicao on an away match onSeptember 25 during the Portuguese League Cup.
Nhu came to Lank from Vietnam's champion Ho Chi Minh City FC under a one-yearon-loan contract with an add-on condition of another year if she performs well.
The Tra Vinh province-born player is one of the best female footballers of Vietnam.She has won the national championship seven times, and the National Cup threetimes in 2017, 2019 and 2021 and AFF Cup silverware in 2019.
Individually, Nhu has grabbed four Golden Ball awards for the best player ofthe year. She took four Golden Boot awards as the top scorer and has been votedMVP at multiple tournaments.
She also holds a record of scoring the most goals for Vietnam's national teamwith 59./.
VNA
