American newspaper surprised by the tight defensive ability of the Vietnamese women's team

According to the New York Post, the Vietnamese women's team was successful, using a deep defensive style of play that forced the US women's team to try their best to win.

uyển nữ Việt Nam phòng ngự kiên cường trước lối chơi tấn công áp đảo của đương kim vô địch Mỹ (Ảnh: AP).

The Vietnamese women's team defended strongly against the overwhelming attack of the defending champion, the US. (Source: AP)

Many American newspapers were surprised by the Vietnamese women's team's ability to play tight defense, especially praising the talent of goalkeeper Kim Thanh.

Specifically, after the US victory in the opening match of Group E of the 2023 Women's World Cup on the morning of July 22, CBS Sports shared that "the US women's team won with a modest score of 3-0 against Vietnam".

“There were some initial nerves in the match, as the team struggled to connect passes, perhaps because the new starting lineup had not played together often. However, the new faces in the team performed well, it was a different kind of victory. The team was a little disappointed not to score more goals, but it was a necessary victory to start the tournament,” CBS Sports commented on the 3-0 victory of the US women's team against coach Mai Duc Chung's team.

Another American newspaper, the New York Post , said that this was a successful match for both the US and Vietnamese women's teams, because the defending champions needed a victory while coach Mai Duc Chung and his team ensured their goal of limiting the number of goals conceded as much as possible.

“In fact, the Vietnamese women's team succeeded, using a deep defensive style of play that forced the US women's team to try their best to win. Obviously, this cannot be a replay of the US's devastating 13-0 victory over Thailand four years ago. Although some sportsbooks still have a handicap of 6 goals, the Vietnamese women's team did too well,” commented the New York Post .

Notably, the New York Post also praised the talent of goalkeeper Kim Thanh after denying the US women's team numerous scoring opportunities, especially in her successful save of striker Alex Morgan's penalty kick.

“Goalkeeper Kim Thanh somersaults to block Alex Morgan's penalty,” the American newspaper headlined.

“Goalkeeper Kim Thanh was the star of the Vietnamese women’s team in the opening match against the US women’s team at the 2023 World Cup. The most important moment was when she successfully saved Alex Morgan’s penalty in the 45th minute to keep the match very tense,” wrote the New York Post .

“2023 Women's World Cup Highlights: Defending champion USA beats Vietnam 3-0,” Fox Sports headlined after the home team's victory.

“Star striker Sophia Smith scored two goals in the first half, and midfielder Lindsey Horan sealed the win with a goal in the 77th minute. The US women's team beat Vietnam 3-0 while maintaining possession of the ball for more than 65% of the time,” Fox Sports wrote.

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