Vietnam national team keep advantage in the first match after beating Thailand national team scoring 2-1 in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 Final 1st leg at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho.
Vietnam wasted no time asserting their presence, with Xuan Son making his intentions clear just a minute into the match. The tournament’s top scorer powered forward, pressuring Thailand’s defense and forcing an early corner, though Bui Tien Dung narrowly missed the target with his header.
Despite Thailand dominating possession with 68% in the first half, Vietnam’s high press disrupted their rhythm and created chances. Vu Van Thanh’s half-volley in the 9th minute narrowly missed, while Xuan Son’s powerful drive tested the Thai goalkeeper.
Thailand’s first real opportunity came in the 13th minute when Suphanan Bureerat’s pinpoint diagonal ball found Ekanit Panya in the box, but Nguyen Dinh Trieu was equal to the challenge. Both teams traded chances, but the half ended scoreless, with Vietnam firing ten shots to Thailand’s limited attempts.
Vietnam started the second half with renewed vigor, and their efforts paid off just before the hour mark. Quang Hai delivered a brilliant cross from the right, which Van Thanh headed back across goal. Xuan Son, rising high, powered a header past the Thai goalkeeper to open the scoring and send the home crowd into raptures.
Thailand pushed for an equalizer, with Patrik Gustavsson coming close, but Vietnam’s defense held firm. Moments later, Xuan Son struck again. Capitalizing on a costly error from Chalermsak Aukee, he intercepted the ball at the halfway line, surged into the box, and drilled a clinical shot into the bottom corner.
Thailand pulled one back in the 82nd minute when Chalermsak Aukee redeemed himself with a glancing header from a deep, looping ball. While his muted celebration signaled remorse for his earlier mistake, the goal gave Thailand a lifeline heading into the second leg.
With the win, Vietnam takes a critical advantage into the second leg in Bangkok on Sunday, January 5, at 8 PM local time.
Credit Photo : FA Thailand
