Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Thailand in the ASEAN Cup final captured headlines in Malaysia, with national news agency Bernama and major newspapers like New Straits Times and The Star highlighting the intensity of the match at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on January 5.
Bernama reported that two-time champions Vietnam clinched the ASEAN Cup after overcoming defending champions Thailand 3-2 on January 5 to emerge with a 5-3 aggregate score after the second-leg final of the ASEAN Championship.
Both teams adopted a more cautious approach in the second half, but Thailand’s Supachok Sarachat curled a goal in the 64th minute to level the aggregate score.
However, the night did not belong to the hosts as Thailand was reduced to 10 men after Weerathep Pomphun received his second yellow card in the 74th minute.
Vietnam capitalised on their numerical advantage, creating several opportunities that culminated in an own goal by Thai defender Pansa Hemviboon in the 82nd minute sealing the match’s turning point.
The Golden Dragon sealed the victory in extra time when Nguyen Hai Long slotted the ball into an empty net after Thailand had pushed all their players forward in a desperate attack.
With the title “Soccer-late goals earn Vietnam ASEAN championship win over 10-man Thais”, the Star said Vietnam won the ASEAN championship for the third time in their history as a 3-2 win over 10-man defending champions Thailand.
Pansa Hamviboon’s 82nd minute own goal and a stoppage time effort from Nguyen Hai Long secured Vietnam’s first success since 2018.
The Vietnamese, who first won the title in 2008, killed off Thai hopes in the 20th minute of added time when Hai Long scored into an empty not from distance with Patiwat stranded at the opposite end of the pitch.
This victory reaffirms Vietnam’s status as a regional football powerhouse, extinguishing Thailand’s hopes in a thrilling finale./.
