International media impressed with Vietnamese performance in historic World Cup match

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Americans prevailed to secure a hard-fought 3-0 victory in Auckland to get their bid for a third consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup crown off to a positive enough start. But Vietnam, making their debut appearance in either the men’s or women’s World Cup, won plenty of admirers for making life difficult for their opponents.

In the official pre-match press conference, a Vietnamese journalist asked US coach Vlatko Andonovski, “Are you going to crush us like you did to Thailand?”

The Americans however were unable to brush the Vietnamese side away so easily. Vietnam and their team of little-known, lowly paid, part-time battlers - some of whom juggle jobs in restaurants, others who get by through selling clothes, cosmetics and even coconuts - refused to yield, the author Vince Rugari wrote.

Meanwhile, FOX Sports praised Vietnamese goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh as one of the best players on the pitch. 

The Vietnamese goalie was a bright spot for the country in the first half. She was under pressure for most of the match and continued to make wise decisions. For example, she had been unafraid to challenge for crosses in the air against opponents with significant height advantages. To keep the score respectable, Vietnam needed her to play well, and she did. 

FIFA also praised Thanh’s performance as the global football governing body wrote on its Twitter, “Tran Thi Kim Thanh take a bow. The Vietnamese keeper has had a sensational first half and now saves an Alex Morgan penalty on the stroke of half-time!”

USA Today reported that the US beating Vietnam was hardly a surprise. They are four-time World Cup champions and have ranked as the top team for all but 10 months over the last 15 years. In contrast, Vietnam, ranked 32nd, are playing in their first-ever World Cup and its coach likened the US to a “mountain” on July 21.

The nation’s World Cup debut was one to remember for both teams, with the game being an opportunity to get footballers experience and confidence for the rest of the tournament, the article stressed.

Furthermore, the Vietnamese team’s brave performance won the hearts of Vietnamese and international fans everywhere, despite losing 3-0 to the reigning world champions US in their first group match in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 22.

After the match, the US’s coach Vlatko Andonovski also commended the Vietnamese team and the tactics used by coach Mai Duc Chung.

Vietnam had played very well and caused difficulties for the US squad, he noted. The Vietnamese team will have five days off before playing against Portugal at 2:30 p.m. on July 27.

The country will then face the runners-up Netherlands in the final match of the group stage at 2 p.m. on August 1.