According to reports, Vietnamese women’s footballers have a slim 2% chance of advancing to the knockout stages or quarter-finals at the Women’s World Cup 2023. Vietnam’s participation in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 marks the third Southeast Asian national team to compete in the tournament, joining Thailand and the Philippines.
Even in their most optimistic hopes, Vietnamese soccer fans did not anticipate their team overcoming powerhouse opponents such as the United States, the Netherlands, and Portugal in the group stage. In their recent match against the United States, the Vietnamese team failed to score or take a corner kick, held possession of the ball for only 34% of the time, and lost with a score of 3-0. These statistics highlight the significant gap in skill between Vietnam and other teams. However, Vietnamese fans are proud of the team’s efforts and sacrifices. It was a historic moment as the Vietnamese national anthem, Tien Quan Ca (Song of the Marching Army), played for the first time at a World Cup, and all players, coaches, and team members sang the anthem with pride. This moment instilled pride and determination in the players, fueling their maximum effort in every aspect of the game.
The resilience and determination demonstrated by the Vietnamese players during the match impressed both Thai soccer fans and international observers. The Asian Football Confederation highlighted Vietnam’s strong performance, describing it as a “steely display” that forced the defending champions, the United States, to work hard for their 3-0 victory. The Vietnamese team’s disciplined and resolute defending left even experienced US players concerned at times. Goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh stood out with her exceptional performance, making notable saves, including stopping a penalty kick from Alex Morgan. Thanh’s impressive skills gained recognition from FIFA and received praise from American supporters and players. Despite the challenging road ahead, Vietnam will undoubtedly win the hearts of fans as long as they maintain their resilience, determination, and commitment.