AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) - Left bruised, bandaged and limping, the Vietnamese nonetheless managed to stroll off the pitch smiling.

Entering its World Cup -opening match Saturday in opposition to the United States, Vietnam was anticipated to undergo a defeat much like the 2019 Thailand staff, which misplaced to the Americans 13-0 to open that event.

After all, the top-ranked United States has received 4 World Cup titles and Vietnam was making its event debut. But in a match the place Vietnam didn't get off a shot, its defensive depth saved it within the recreation.

Final rating: United States 3, Vietnam 0.

“I think that’s the point of Vietnam is to frustrate us, is to make it hard for us to break them down,” American ahead Alex Morgan stated after the sport. “I think there were ebbs and flows of the game that were frustrating at times, but I think that at the end of the day, we just have to capitalize on the chances that we get.”

The Vietnamese have been “tough in tackles,” U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski stated, however the Americans additionally didn't make it any simpler for themselves.

The United States dominated the stat sheet, outshooting Vietnam 27-0, however solely eight American makes an attempt have been on course regardless of 24 makes an attempt occurring within the penalty space, together with Morgan’s missed penalty kick within the first half.

That might have been Vietnam’s finest second.

In the forty fourth minute, Morgan stepped as much as the penalty spot with the United States solely main 1-0. Morgan aimed for the underside left nook however was denied by Vietnamese goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh.

The rebound try trickled huge, sending the Vietnamese gamers right into a frenzy as they swarmed Tran to rejoice.

“I wouldn’t say that I expected more goals, but with the way that we played and the opportunities that we created, I sure wanted to see more goals and I thought that we deserved to score more goals,” Andonovski stated.

For many United States’ gamers, the match was their World Cup debut, together with participant of the match Sophia Smith. It was additionally the primary time that the United States’ beginning 11 performed collectively on the similar time.

“I want to say that I expected it and I’m happy with the way they played. They met my expectations,” Andonovski stated. “Now, I do also believe that going into game two, they will go a little more encouraged, less noise, no stress.”

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Zach Allen is a scholar within the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.

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