22-7-2023 (AUCKLAND) Vietnam’s Women’s World Cup debut may have ended in a 3-0 loss against the formidable United States, but coach Mai Duc Chung believes his team has gained valuable lessons from the experience. The match took place at Auckland’s Eden Park, where the four-times champions demonstrated their prowess on the football field.
As one of the eight debutantes in the expanded World Cup field hosted by New Zealand and Australia, Vietnam’s primary goal was to make their mark on the international football stage, with limited expectations in terms of overall performance.
Prior to the match against the United States, Coach Duc Chung had likened the American team to a “big mountain,” acknowledging the daunting challenge ahead. Despite the odds, he expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, especially considering the immense pressure they faced against the relentless American offense.
“We tried to limit the attacking from the U.S. team… We tried to come up with these tactics, trying to defend,” Duc Chung said through a translator. “In terms of spirit, we are very satisfied here today.”
Among the standout players in Vietnam’s team was goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh, who was kept busy throughout the match, as her team struggled to advance into the final third of the field. Despite the scoreline, Thanh’s impressive performance earned her extra praise from Coach Duc Chung.
In a pivotal moment during the first half, Thanh made a remarkable save by stopping a penalty shot from U.S. veteran Alex Morgan. Duc Chung credited this crucial save to hours of preparation and training.
“Good lesson for us to draw experiences here,” said Duc Chung. “I’m very satisfied with the goalkeeper.”
With the match against the United States behind them, Vietnam now looks ahead to their next challenge against Portugal on Thursday in Hamilton. As the tournament progresses, the team aims to build on the lessons learned from their Women’s World Cup debut and continue making strides in the world of international football.
