Vietnam keeper Thanh blocks Morgan's World Cup penalty by watching past games

By Duc Dong July 21, 2023 | 09:01 pm PT

Tran Thi Kim Thanh saves the penalty shot from Alex Morgan in the Women's World Cup group stage game between Vietnam and the U.S. in New Zealand, July 22, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

The Vietnamese goalkeeper who blocked the U.S.'s penalty shot in their Women's World Cup game Saturday said she had watched many past games to get familiar with the opponent's style.

The U.S. were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute after Hoang Thi Loan fouled Trinity Rodman.

Alex Morgan, who scored 121 goals for the U.S., took the shot but it was blocked by Tran Thi Kim Thanh.

"I’ve watched Morgan taking penalty shots many times," Thanh said after the Saturday game in Eden Park, New Zealand.

"She often shot to the right side of the goalkeeper. She did that in all recent games, so I leaned to that side."

Vietnams goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh faces off American striker Alex Morgan. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

Vietnam's goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh faces off American striker Alex Morgan in the Women's World Cup group stage game on July 22, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

The 1.65-meter-tall keeper blocked many other attacks from the U.S., which she also attributed to having watched carefully videos of U.S. attacks in their past games.

The U.S. were controlling possession and had 28 shots including seven on target, to eventually win 3-0 in their 2023 Women's World Cup opener.

Thanh, who was rated the best Vietnamese player in the game, said that the result against the two-time defending champion was "somehow satisfying."

The 29-year-old thanks her team for their high determination until the last minute.

"This will be a motivation for us to try harder in the next games."

Vietnam will face debuting Portugal on July 27 and 2019 runners-up Netherlands on Aug. 1.