Despite Loss to US, Vietnam Welcomes World Cup Debut
Vietnam was one of eight debutantes in an expanded World Cup field in New Zealand and Australia. The team entered the tournament with modest expectations, aiming to make their mark on the international football stage and represent their country. Duc Chung, who had likened the formidable United States team to a “formidable mountain” leading up to Saturday’s match, expressed satisfaction with his team’s commendable performance in the face of the unyielding American offense. “We made a concerted effort to hinder the offensive efforts of the U.S. team. We strategized and devised defensive tactics to counter their attacks,” he stated, with the aid of a translator. “Regarding our team’s morale and determination, we are extremely content with our performance today.” He commended his goalkeeper, Tran Thi Kim Thanh, for her exceptional performance, as she consistently worked hard to defend against the opposing team’s advances and prevent them from entering the final third of the field. ...