Goalkeeper Kim Thanh: 'I caught the American striker'

In the 43rd minute, the US was awarded a penalty after the referee consulted VAR and determined that Hoang Thi Loan had fouled Trinity Rodman. But when facing on the 11m mark, goalkeeper Kim Thanh caught the card and blocked the kick of Alex Morgan - the striker who scored 121 goals for the US team.

"I watched Morgan take the penalty many times," Kim Thanh said after the match at Eden Park this morning, July 22, Hanoi time. "She often kicked the goalkeeper's right hand. The last matches were all kicked like that, so I caught the cards and poured people on that side."

Kim Thanh is considered the best player on the Vietnamese side. In addition to the saves, the goalkeeper is only 1.65m tall in most situations when the US plays the ball. "I am also more confident thanks in part to watching videos of the opponent's attack," she added.

At Eden Park, the US dominated, holding the ball 66% and finishing 28 shots, including 7 goals, while Vietnam did not finish any time. In that huge disparity, Vietnam only conceded three goals, from Sophia Smith's double and the remaining one from Lindsey Horan.

Losing by three goals is an acceptable score, because contrary to many predictions before the match, Vietnam lost more heavily. According to Kim Thanh, this is the result of the last-minute efforts, very high determination and fierce play of the whole team. "The score is so-called satisfied with the team," she said. "This will be the motivation for the whole team to work harder and be more determined in the next matches."

Tran Thi Kim Thanh is from Duc Hoa, Long An and has been with the HCM City Club since she started playing professionally. She joined the Vietnamese team in 2014, gradually replacing the statue of Dang Thi Kieu Trinh and is now the number one goalkeeper of the Vietnamese team.