Vietnam secured their third AFF Cup title with a thrilling 3–2 victory against Thailand in the second leg of the 2024 AFF Cup final at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

The road to victory

Carrying a 2–1 advantage from the first leg, Vietnam approached the decisive match cautiously under the intense atmosphere of a packed Rajamangala Stadium.

Vietnam took an early lead in the 8th minute when Pham Tuan Hai capitalized on a defensive error, chipping the ball over Thai goalkeeper Khammai to make it 1–0.

Thailand equalized in the 28th minute through Ben Davis, who curled a shot past goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu following a misstep by Doan Ngoc Tan.

The first half ended on a sour note for Vietnam when star striker Nguyen Xuan Son suffered a severe injury during a sprint and cross attempt, leaving the field on a stretcher. His absence affected Vietnam’s attacking prowess, but the team maintained composure.

High drama in the second half

Thailand took the lead in the 64th minute with a long-range stunner from Supachok Sarachat, but the goal was marred by controversy as Thailand failed to return the ball after Vietnam had played it out for an injured player.

The turning point came in the 75th minute when Weerathep Pomphan was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for pulling Quang Hai’s jersey.

Vietnam capitalized on the numerical advantage in the 82nd minute when Tuan Hai’s effort deflected off Thai defender Pansa Hemviboon into the net, leveling the match at 2–2.

In stoppage time, Hai Long sealed the victory with a long-range strike into an empty net after Thailand’s goalkeeper had advanced for a corner.

Celebrating the champions

Vietnam’s 3–2 win in the second leg, combined with their 2–1 victory in the first leg, gave them a 5–3 aggregate triumph. This marks their third AFF Cup title, following wins in 2008 and 2018.

Goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu was named the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, while Nguyen Xuan Son, despite his injury, won the Golden Boot with seven goals and was named the Most Valuable Player.

Vietnam’s coach Kim Sang-sik expressed pride in his team, calling the victory a testament to their fighting spirit and resilience.

Pham Tuan Hai, who played a pivotal role in the match, shared: "We fought with all our hearts for the injured Xuan Son and for the pride of our country. Thank you to all the fans who supported us."

Thien Binh