New Delhi: A rollercoaster of emotions erupted at Bangkok’s Rajasmangala Stadium as Vietnam won the ASEAN Championship for the third time and defeated 10-man defending champions Thailand 3-2 in the final’s second leg. Vietnam sealed a 5-3 aggregator victory for the first time away from home.
The Golden Star Warriors were already leading the first leg 2-1 and, in the second leg, opened the score line through Pham Tuan Hai in the eighth minute, but Thailand soon equalised through Ben Davis’ encounter. Things got complicated for the visitors as tournament top scorer Nguyen Xuan Son had to leave the pith early after a nasty broken leg just before halftime.
Thailand went ahead with a controversial goal from Supachok Sarachat in the 64th minute, but the 74th-minute red card from Wereathep Pomphan dampened their efforts. Captain Do Duy Manh sought to settle with Thai captain Peeradol Chamratsamee for a situation similar to Leeds vs Aston Villa, where the Leeds defender allowed Villa to score back a goal after Leeds also committed an unfair play reminiscent of Thailand.
However, the settlement failed as the Thai players continued to play. Vietnam found the much-needed equaliser in the 82nd minute as Pansa Hemviboon scored an own goal and eventually went on winning the fixture with the last free-kick goal from Nguyen Hai Long.
A dramatic twist late! ⌛️#MitsubishiElectricCup#ASEANUtdFC pic.twitter.com/P04Xruj4cf
— ASEAN United FC (@aseanutdfc) January 5, 2025
In addition to the historic Championship trophy, Vietnam also won two individual awards, with Best Goalkeeper going to Nguyen Dinh Trieu and Most Valuable Player won by Nguyen Xuan Son. Having started the year on a winless streak and having changed the coach, no one could have believed such a result in the AFF Championship for Vietnam.
Việt Nam chiến thắng, tự hào hai tiếng Việt Nam 🇻🇳🏆🥳🎉#Vietnam #football #AFF2024 pic.twitter.com/SZfEfX3vug
— Little (@little190597) January 5, 2025
After the match, the star striker Pham Tuan Hai said, “We have tried, and we have accomplished. This was a very emotional match for us, and we underwent many pressures. But we all carried on with the determination to play for the jersey and the country.”
Vietnamese last won the title back in 2008, and this triumph will be registered as one of the best championship finals ever played. Then, the party got carried forward into the nights in Vietnamese cities.
Vietnam clinched their third ASEAN Championship title with a dramatic 5-3 aggregate win over Thailand, marking a historic moment in football history. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
