Vietnam lost to the US in the opening match of the Women's World Cup
*Score: Smith 14, 45, Horan 77
In front of the world's number one opponent and won 50% of the past World Cups, Vietnam played well in defense. Coach Mai Duc Chung's army only conceded three goals, while also in the opening match of the 2019 World Cup, the US beat Thailand to 13-0. "Vietnam can be satisfied with this result, compared to Thailand in the previous period," FIFA commented on the homepage. "They had a bit of luck, but they also have to admire the determination and organized play of Vietnam."
Although not finishing any time in this match, Vietnam also had a moment of joy as if it had just scored, that is when goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh pushed the penalty kick of star striker Alex Morgan. In the stands of Eden Stadium, thousands of Vietnamese fans jumped up and cheered for this situation. Pushing the penalty at the first World Cup will be an unforgettable moment for the 30-year-old goalkeeper.
Eden Stadium witnessed more than 41,000 spectators come to watch the first match of the defending champions USA and Vietnam. The atmosphere in the stands was lively during the match, and the audience also cheered after each good ball of Kim Thanh. If it weren't for her saves or punches, the red team might have lost more heavily.
Coach Mai Duc Chung directed the player to kick hard right from the beginning of the match, making the American player a little difficult. But the class of the world's number one team was shown in the 14th minute, when Alex Morgan randomly poked a slot for Sophia Smith to dive down to face the goalkeeper and shoot through Kim Thanh's legs into the net.
The goal did not make the Vietnamese players flinch, as the team still maintained a fast approach. Kim Thanh also played prominently with many situations when he rushed out of the 5.5 m area to punch the ball to rescue. In addition, the 30-year-old goalkeeper also rushed out a few times to close the corner and block the opponent's shot. Statistics show that she saved five times and over 10 times she punched the ball to rescue.
Kim Thanh also shone in the 44th minute when she pushed Alex Morgan's penalty kick, after Hoang Thi Loan fouled Trinity Rodman in the penalty area. Morgan shot down to the lower left corner but the goalkeeper leaned in the right direction to push the ball away, causing coach Vlatko Andonovski to hold his head in regret.
At the end of the first half, Kim Thanh also rushed to punch the ball, but this time the ball fell to Smith's position and the midfielder hit the net. The referee initially reported the American player to be offside, but VAR confirmed there was no offside and the goal was awarded to Smith.
Vietnam played tighter in the second half and only conceded one more goal in the 77th minute. Smith stole the ball from center-back Chuong Thi Kieu in the Vietnamese penalty area, then passed it inside for Horan to shoot into an empty net. Chuong Thi Kieu just returned from a long period of convalescence, and entered the field in the second half to replace Thu Thuong.
Vietnam had only two chances from My Anh's crosses in the second half, but both times the ball went straight into the hands of goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Striker Huynh Nhu and then Pham Hai Yen played weakly, while Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha did not play this match due to lack of physical strength.
In the face of a superior opponent in terms of physical strength and strength, Vietnam could not avoid defeat. The next match against Portugal on July 27 is the best opportunity for Mai Duc Chung's teachers and students to score or even earn points at the 2023 World Cup.
Vietnam: Kim Thanh - Thu Thao, Thu Thuong (Chuong Thi Kieu 61), Diem My, Tran Thi Thu, Hoang Thi Loan - Tuyet Dung (Van Su 46), Hai Linh (Duong Thi Van 89), Thai Thi Thao, Bich Thuy (My Anh 61) - Huynh Nhu (Hai Yen 46).
America: Naeher - Girma, Ertz, Dunn (Ohara 84), Fox (Huerta 84) - Demelo (Lavelle 61), Horan, Smith, Sullivan, Rodman (Thompson 76) - Morgan (Rapinoe 61).
