A special kind of friendly match!
The friendly match between the RBL women and the Vietnamese women’s national team on September 4th was not only a sporting highlight, but also an expression of a special cultural exchange. In front of around 800 fans, including many from the Vietnamese community in Leipzig, the RBL women won 2-0 (1-0).
Marleen Schimmer put RBL in the lead with a right-footed shot in the 36th minute before Marlene Müller added the decisive second goal in the 69th minute.
Sportive success and a cultural exchange
For the RBL women, the match was a valuable test in preparation for the upcoming DFB Pokal duel against 1. FC Union Berlin. As Viola Odebrecht, Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football at RB Leipzig, explained beforehand, the game offered the opportunity to give all players important match practice at a high level.
“It was a great event and an extraordinary experience. In sporting terms, we still want to develop further at this point in time. After all, we have a new coach in Jonas Stephan and play a slightly different style of football. Every game is helpful in order to further deepen the content,” said Viola Odebrecht after the game.
The Vietnamese national team, currently ranked 37th in the FIFA Ranking, travelled to Prague and Leipzig for a training camp. The team took part in the finals for the first time at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Vietnamese Community
However, the game was much more than a sporting event. Above all, it was a sign of the close relations between Leipzig and Vietnam. The partnership between Leipzig and Ho Chi Minh City, which has officially existed since 2021, is reflected in numerous areas, including the healthcare industry, education and environmental technology.
For the approximately 3,500 members of the Vietnamese community in Leipzig, the match was an opportunity to show their connection with both cultures. Vietnamese flags and loud cheering from the stands underlined the friendly atmosphere.
The game was not only a success for the RBL Women in a footballing sense, but also a sign of the strong cultural connection between Vietnam and Leipzig.