Nguyen Xuan Thorn multi-goal
Second game away on the 5th
The Vietnamese men’s soccer team, led by coach Kim Sang-sik, defeated Thailand in the first leg of the finals of the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup (hereinafter referred to as Mitsubishi Cup) and is just one step away from winning its third title.
Sang-Sik Kim won 2-1 thanks to Nguyen Xuan Son’s multiple goals in the first leg of the final against Thailand held at Viet Tri Stadium in Viet Tri, Vietnam on the 2nd (Korean time).
In the second game of the finals, which will be held in Thailand on the 5th, they have taken the advantageous position to win even if they draw a draw.
Vietnam is on the verge of winning its third title in six years since the 2018 tournament led by coach Park Hang-seo.
The Mitsubishi Cup, hosted by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), is Southeast Asia’s most prestigious soccer tournament held every two years and is nicknamed the “Southeast Asia World Cup” as it boasts as much excitement as the World Cup.
In this tournament, in which 10 Southeast Asian countries participate, five teams are divided into groups A and B and compete in the group stage.
Afterwards, the 1st and 2nd place teams from each group will play a semifinal tournament to determine the final winner.
A total of three Korean leaders took on the challenge, including Vietnam under coach Kim Sang-sik, Indonesia under coach Shin Tae-yong, and Laos under coach Ha Hyuk-jun.
Only Kim Sang-sik survived in Group B and advanced to the finals, leaving him just one step away from winning the championship.
Thailand, the country with the most wins (7 times), has won two consecutive championships by defeating Coach Shin’s Indonesia in 2020 and Coach Park’s Vietnam in 2022, and a red flag has been turned on to add another trophy.
Both teams played a tight game in the first half.
Vietnam created more threatening scenes, but Thailand maintained the balance by taking a high percentage of possession.
After a fierce battle, Vietnam scored the first goal.
In the 15th minute of the second half, Nguyen Quang Hai delivered a left-footed long pass from the right side to the left side of the Thai penalty box.
Bu Van Thanh headed this ball into the center of the penalty box.
And Nguyen Xuan Son, who was rushing, finished the match with his head, breaking the balance of the game.
Vietnam, riding the wave, scored one more goal.
In the 29th minute of the second half, Nguyen Xuan Son, who stole the opponent’s ball near the center circle, advanced to the front of the opponent’s box and later scored multiple goals with a powerful left-footed shot.
Thailand did not give up easily either.
In the 37th minute of the second half, Chalermsak Auki headed a cross from the left flank by Suphanat Muayanta, giving the team one goal.
Afterwards, both teams struggled to score additional goals and equalize, but no goals were scored. The game ended with Vietnam winning by one point.
[서울=뉴시스]