US women’s football coach Vlatko Andonovski rewarded for big bet on next generation

AUCKLAND – United States coach Vlatko Andonovski was rewarded for his faith in the next generation on Saturday, as young talent shone in a 3-0 win over Vietnam in their Women’s World Cup opener at Auckland’s Eden Park.

While one might have expected to see the four-time champions lean on a reliable set of starters, Andonovski instead banked on a starting XI who had never played together outside of practice.

Their performance did not leave much room for complaint, save for a handful of squandered chances, as 22-year-old Sophia Smith recorded a first-half brace on her World Cup debut for the defending champions.

“They’ve never been on the field together in a game scenario for one minute, and to see some of the connections and some of the combinations that they were able to do was very positive,” Andonovski said.

Smith also helped the Americans to a third goal with a superb assist in the 77th minute to co-captain Lindsey Horan, who knocked it into the net in front of a crowd of just over 41,000.

“It was a good starting point for our team in this tournament. I also know that we have a lot more that we can give, a lot more to do, little things to work on,” said Smith.

Midfielder Savannah DeMelo, meanwhile, showed poise in her first international start, and 23-year-old defender Naomi Girma “looked like she has three World Cups behind her”, said Andonovski, who also brought on veteran icon Megan Rapinoe for her 200th cap.

“I don’t want to say relief or surprise. I wholeheartedly (believed) that these players are capable of doing what they did,” the 46-year-old added.

Andonovski, who also put 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson on as a late substitute, said that the playing time will pay major dividends for his side – chasing an unprecedented third consecutive title and fifth overall – as the tournament progresses.

“I do also believe that going into game two, they will go a little more encouraged, less nerves, no stress,” he said.

That mentality will be valuable against their next opponents, the Netherlands, whom they defeated in the 2019 final.

They are widely expected to be the toughest team the Americans face in Group E. They meet on Thursday in Wellington.

Despite the defeat, Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung said he was pleased with his team’s performance under the pressure of a relentless American offence, and that they will take valuable lessons from their debut.

“We tried to limit the attacking from the US team... We tried to come up with these tactics, trying to defend. In terms of spirit, we are very satisfied here today,” he said through a translator.

He offered extra praise for his goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh, who was kept busy as her team were scarcely able to breach the final third.

She stopped a penalty attempt from veteran Alex Morgan in the first half, a save that Chung said came from hours of preparation.

“Good lesson for us to draw experiences here. I’m very satisfied with the goalkeeper,” said Chung.

Vietnam next face Portugal on Thursday in Hamilton.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand squad were temporarily evacuated from their hotel in Auckland on Saturday after a fire, the team said, but all players and staff were safe.

It was not immediately clear what caused it, but a Fire and Emergency spokesman said that there had been “multiple blazes” at the hotel, which have since been extinguished, and that some people at the hotel were treated for smoke inhalation, but nobody was seriously hurt. REUTERS, AFP