Việt Nam are champions!
Việt Nam capped a historic year of football success by lifting silverware in front of an ecstatic crowd in Hà Nội on Saturday.
The national team defeated Malaysia 1-0 in the second leg of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup final at Mỹ Đình National Stadium, securing a 3-2 aggregate win after a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Malaysia on Tuesday.
“Actually, I can’t express my feelings now, I only know that I am very, very happy. On behalf of the Việt Nam team, I thank the fans very much. With their great support, Việt Nam won big victories,” said striker Nguyễn Anh Đức.
“The match today was very wonderful,” said Đức.
With the support of thousands of fans at home, Việt Nam dominated the opening exchanges.
Just six minutes in, Đức made Mỹ Đình National Stadium and the whole country erupt with joy by volleying home Nguyễn Quang Hải’s cross for his fourth goal of the tournament.
The goal seemed to wake the Malaysians up and just two minutes later, Vietnamese goalkeeper Đặng Văn Lâm received a yellow card after a clash with Malaysian striker Zaquan Adha, before Mohamadou Sumareh struck the crossbar.
In the 12th minute, Hải completed a skillful move to overcome the Malaysian defence on the right wing, however his tame shot was no trouble for Malaysian goalkeeper Farizal Marlias.
Midfielder Đỗ Hùng Dũng had another chance to double the score for Việt Nam but goalkeeper Marlias blocked his long shot.
In the 30th minute, Nguyễn Huy Hùng received a yellow card, making him the fourth Vietnamese to be carded after midfielder Trần Đình Trọng, defender Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng and Lâm.
With the first half winding down, Lâm made an important save to keep Syahmi Safari’s shot out, ensuring the hosts took a 1-0 lead into the interval.
After the break, the visitors pushed on seeking the equaliser, and Syahmi Safari came close, only for Lâm to produce another superb save.
Lâm, who was born in Moscow to a Vietnamese father and a Russian mother, then saved a free kick from danger man Safawi Rasid in the 54th minute.
Most of the rest of the second half was dominated by the visitors as they chased the two goals they needed to take the trophy, however the outstanding Lâm was impregnable.
Deep into added time, Malaysia’s Sharul Saad was sent off for a second yellow card and minutes later the final whistle sounded, sending the entire nation into ecstasy.
This is the second time Việt Nam have won the regional title, having lifted the trophy 10 years ago in 2008.
After the match, the event’s organising board gave Vietnamese midfielder Hải the man of the match award with the prize of US$10,000.
The win sparked celebrations across the nation, with an incredible year of football success capped off with the glory of silverware and the knowledge that Việt Nam are Southeast Asian’s top football team.
