Vietnam triumphed over Thailand with a thrilling 3–2 victory in the second leg of the final, securing the championship with a 5–3 aggregate score.

Integral to Vietnam’s success was newcomer Nguyen Xuan Son, whose exceptional performance earned him the Golden Boot for scoring seven goals, three more than his closest competitors.

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Team captain Duy Manh accepted the individual award on behalf of Xuan Son. Photo credit: Song Ngu.

The Brazilian-born striker also contributed two assists, further showcasing his pivotal role in Vietnam’s historic campaign.

Xuan Son was additionally named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.

Unfortunately, his triumph was marred by a severe injury sustained in the first half of the second leg, which forced him to leave the field.

Despite missing the first three matches due to not meeting the five-year residency requirement in Vietnam, Xuan Son proved to be a game-changer in the latter stages of the tournament.

Dinh Trieu: A late-blooming hero

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Dinh Trieu had a tournament that exceeded expectations. Photo: Song Ngu.

Another highlight of Vietnam’s victory was the emergence of goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu, who was named Best Goalkeeper of the AFF Cup 2024.

Initially seen as a backup to Nguyen Filip, the Hai Phong FC goalkeeper seized his opportunity during the match against Laos.

Though he was benched for games against Indonesia and the Philippines, Dinh Trieu returned to start in Vietnam’s final six matches, including the semifinals against Singapore and both legs of the final against Thailand.

Under Dinh Trieu’s command, Vietnam won all six matches he started, including two clean sheets and numerous crucial saves throughout the tournament.

At 33 years old, Dinh Trieu has been hailed as a “late bloomer” in Vietnamese football, cementing his place as a vital component of the national team’s success.

Thien Binh