Vietnam leads Thailand in 2024 AFF Cup final first leg

Vietnam secured a 2-1 victory after the first leg of the 2024 AFF Cup final against Thailand on January.

Nguyen Xuan Son scored both goals for Vietnam, marking their first home win against Thailand in 27 years.

Vietnam started the match energetically, creating multiple scoring opportunities within the first 10 minutes. Despite early chances from players like Vi Hao, Xuan Son, and Van Thanh, the first half ended goalless. Xuan Son sustained a shoulder injury but continued to play.

In the 60th minute, after a cross from Quang Hai and a header assist from Van Thanh, Xuan Son scored the opening goal. Thirteen minutes later, he capitalized on a defensive error to double the lead. Thailand responded in the 83rd minute with a goal from Aukkee, assisted by Suphanat, but couldn’t equalize.

This victory gives Vietnam an advantage ahead of the second leg of the ASEAN Cup final. The team’s performance, especially Xuân Son’s contributions, was praised by fans and analysts.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined the players and fans on the field to celebrate and offer his encouragement.

Nguyen Xuan Son: "We played exceptionally well today, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team’s performance. We will keep fighting with the same spirit to secure a victory in the second leg. My goal is to score in every match because that’s my responsibility to the team and to our fans. For now, we’ll rest and recover as we prepare for the trip to Thailand. The second leg will be another battle, and we’ll be ready for it."

Nguyen Quang Hai: "This victory is a crucial advantage for us and has given the entire team a massive boost in confidence and motivation. It’s not just a win; it’s the driving force for us to push even harder in the second leg. We are ready to give everything we have to achieve ultimate success."

Vu Van Thanh (one assist for Xuan Son): "Our entire team is fully committed and determined because we know that a 2-1 lead is far from secure. The assist I made for Xuan Son’s goal was something we had practiced extensively during our training sessions, and it’s great to see it pay off in such an important match. We are focused on giving our best in the second leg to protect our advantage."

Nguyen Thanh Trung (crucial save): "Every match feels like a battle, and we treat it with the seriousness it deserves. My focus was to help the team whenever I could, and I’m glad I made that key save. The second leg in Thailand will be challenging because they have many skilled players, but we are determined to fight with everything we have to achieve our goal. This is more than just football for us; it’s about pride and the love for our country."

Vietnam will continue to face Thailand in the second leg of the 2024 AFF Cup final at 8:00 PM (Vietnam time) on January 5, at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Tune in and support the Vietnam national team on VTV and FPT’s channels.