Playing at a World Cup for the first time minnows Vietnam fell to a 3-0 defeat to four-time world champions United States on Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland, but they showcased a positive performance and can be proud of their efforts.
A day before the game, at the official press conference, a Vietnamese journalist asked U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski a question which had been on everyone’s minds: “Are you going to crush us like you did to Thailand four years ago?” – referring to the Americans’ 13-0 thrashing of Thailand at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.
While the press conference room burst into laughter, coach Andonovski brushed aside any suggestions of a mismatch, saying they respect the Vietnam side and expect a fight from their Asian opponents.
Vietnam, after all, did put up a fight, or at least they tried.
Cheered on by a small section of Vietnamese supporters, the team kept the U.S. at bay in the opening minutes and also showed some possession skills, igniting hopes in the hearts of their fans.
But their joy was short-lived as the Americans went 1-0 up in the 14th minute via in-form forward Sophia Smith, who made a perfectly timed run off Alex Morgan’s pass and got past the Vietnamese defence before finding the net.
The U.S. kept the pressure on after securing the lead and Vietnam seemed to struggle to get out of their half of the pitch, failing to register any shots on goal in the first half.
While Vietnam’s attackers did not shine, goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh was their best player on the pitch, pulling off vital saves to restrict the damage and maintain a respectable scoreline.
On the stroke of half-time, the keeper saved a penalty from Morgan as she got down low to pounce on a rather weak effort from the U.S. star after the Americans were awarded the spot-kick following Hoang Thi Loan’s challenge on Trinity Rodman.
However, Vietnam were guilty of conceding a second goal just before the half-time whistle as Smith scored her second goal on her World Cup debut. Initially, the goal was ruled out as Morgan seemed to interfere with play in the build-up, but it was 2-0 to the U.S. following a VAR check.
The second half saw the U.S. awarded two good set-piece opportunities but they could not capitalise on either, thanks to Kim Thanh’s awareness once again. First, she knocked the ball out of play after Morgan was in a good spot to head it in, and later on the following corner, the goalkeeper cradled the ball.
U.S. captain Lindsey Horan, who came close on several occasions in the first half, finally found the net in the 77th minute when she blasted the ball into the net from 15 yards out, with Smith getting an assist.
That goal sealed the victory for the Americans, who are on a quest for the unprecedented “three-peat” of world titles after victories in 2015 and 2019.
The U.S. ended the game with 28 attempts on goal, while Vietnam had none – a reminder of the vast difference in quality and experience of the two teams.
The defeat, of course, would not do good for Vietnam’s chances in a daunting Group E which also includes the Netherlands and Portugal, but the team earned precious experience and learnt some lessons from facing a highly-competitive team like the U.S.
THINGS WE LEARNED
Kim Thanh showcases skills: Vietnam were repeatedly helped by the stellar play of Kim Thanh, who pulled off numerous vital saves and blocked efforts from a dangerous U.S. attack. Although the World Cup debutants suffered defeat, it was Kim Thanh who ensured that the match did not end with a tennis score.
Mai Duc Chung’s positive plan: Before the match, many predicted Vietnam would suffer a thrashing at the hands of the U.S., but the five-time Southeast Asian champions showed a more positive and competitive display than critics expected and the credit goes to coach Mai Duc Chung.
Chung went with his usual 5-4-1 formation, which heavily relies upon passing near the middle of the field, and although his side showed very little intent going forward, the defensive players did well to restrict the Americans to only three goals.
Vietnam’s attack needs to be better: Zero attempts at goal is not something the coach would be happy with at the final whistle. Vietnam’s captain and main striker Huynh Nhu was anonymous in attack – if Vietnam are to dream to make it to the next round, she and her fellow attackers need to step up in crucial moments and show their game-changing abilities.
WHAT THEY SAID
Mai Duc Chung (Coach)
“Before the match, I knew the game could be difficult because we played the defending champions. I said in the pre-match press conference that we knew we can lose a match of that level, but we cannot lose the spirit. Today everything was good.
“It was a good lesson for us to draw experiences here. In terms of spirits, we are very satisfied. Especially today, I have to say, we tried to limit the attack from the U.S.
“Goalkeeper Kim Thanh is doing well. We are ready and trying to prepare and help each other here.”
WHAT COMES NEXT
Vietnam will next face fellow first-timers Portugal in the second group game on Thursday in Hamilton before finishing their group campaign against 2019 finalists the Netherlands on 1 August in Dunedin.
Listen to The Asian Game Podcast as we recap Day 2 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
