‘Are you going to crush us?’: USA brush off hype before Vietnam opener

If there is any feeling that the USA's World Cup opener against Vietnam could emulate their 13-0 thrashing of Thailand four years ago, it is not coming from within the team's camp

A burst of laughter rang throughout the press conference room at Eden Park on Friday night as a journalist from Vietnam asked United States head coach Vlatko Andonovski what much of the rest of the world is wondering: Are you going to crush us like you did to Thailand four years ago?"

Andonovski and USA captain Lindsey Horan were the only two who didn't laugh, although Horan attempted to hold back a smirk. Andonovski composed himself as the laughter petered out.