Coach Mai Duc Chung: 'Vietnam has kept its promise in the opening match of the World Cup 2023'
The match at Eden Park, Auckland on July 22 was historic for Vietnamese football, when there was an 11-man football team competing in the World Cup. Therefore, coach Mai Duc Chung felt emotional, overflowing with pride when the national anthem was played during the flag-raising ceremony before the match with the US.
Although unable to make earthquakes, the 0-3 result can be considered acceptable for him and his students. At the 2019 World Cup, the US - currently the number one in the world, the most successful in the tournament's history with four championships - once crushed another opponent from Southeast Asia, Thailand, with a record score of 13-0. After the match, coach Mai Duc Chung said: "I am satisfied with the spirit of the whole team, as well as the players' correct execution of the game. Before the match, we promised that Vietnam may lose professionally, but will show a strong and resilient spirit against an opponent that is superior in all aspects. The players did exactly that, and they make me proud."
With the majority defensive play, Vietnam tried to block the way to Kim Thanh's goal. After being conceded by Sophia Smith in the 14th minute, it was not until the 10th minute that the team had to concede a second goal. This time it was Smith - the best voted player of the match, with a kick after a messy situation in the penalty area of Vietnam. Previously, Kim Thanh once successfully neutralized Alex Morgan's penalty after Hoang Thi Loan fouled Trinity Rodman.
After the break, the US continued to dominate, but only scored one more goal in the 77th minute thanks to Lindsey Horan.
The whole match, the US held the ball 66%, launched 28 shots and seven of them hit the goal. Vietnam did not launch any finishing phase. "The US has good body shape and expertise. They are championship candidates. Therefore, we choose a defensive strategy with depth, play close. As everyone can see, Vietnamese players only stand up to the shoulders of American players. Therefore, we try to limit the high and long passes. But in some situations, the players have not done this well," said Coach Chung, adding that Vietnam's strong experience and ability should be promoted quickly.
Besides the efforts of the defense, the outstanding player on the Vietnamese side is goalkeeper Kim Thanh. In addition to the situation of blocking Morgan's penalty, the 1.65 m tall goalkeeper also had ecstatic reflexes, in and out many times, causing the American attacking superstars to fail. After the match, the FIFA World Cup event homepage also praised Kim Thanh.
Coach Mai Duc Chung shared: "Every player on the field tries his best for the colors of the flag, but the goalkeeper position reassures me the most. Kim Thanh played excellently, blocking a series of shots from the American striker. Before the match, Kim Thanh and I watched carefully the video of the American penalty kicks. Most of them, they kicked to the right. The players played well, the American players did not cooperate. good at solving a few situations, still confused and confused, leading to a goal."
