Huynh Nhu delivers Vietnam third crown

The victory today followed earlier titles they won in 2006 and also 2012.

“It was an exceptionally difficult game. Thailand played really well and we had to be careful not to make mistakes,” said Vietnam head coach Mai Duc Chung. “And when they goal finally came in extra time, we had to defended well and hard.”

In front of close to 2,0000 fans including AFF President Major General Khiev Sameth and members of the AFF Council, the team went on famously with both teams exchanging blows for blows.

Neither teams were giving up much with Thailand pushing up in numbers while Vietnam were looking for space for the counter attack.

The lanky Nildhamrong Suchawadee was switching from flank to flank as she was given a free role to hassle the Vietnam backline. In the 23rd minute, Nildhamrong broke free but was close down by two recovering defenders.

Six minutes later, her pass set up Intamee Silawan but unfortunately, the latter’s shot went well wide.

Thailand then missed two more great chances through Thongsombut Rattikan and then Saomsai Pitsamai before Vietnam have their first real crack with Huynh Nhu’s low shot.

The second half continued to be a string of near-misses for both teams as Vietnam were not risking too much while they continued to frustrate Thailand by keeping it close at the back.

A fabulous 70th minute freekick from Intamee forced Vietnam keeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh into a blocking dive while some moments later, Thongsombut’s rising shot narrowly missed the upright.

With the game into extra time, a momentary lapse in the Thai backline in the 95th minute allowed Huynh Nhu to pick up the playback from Nguyen Thi Van before unleashing a crisp low shot past keeper Sengyong Yada for the lead.

That goal rattled Thailand as they desperately went in search of the equalizer to force the match into extra time.

But despite playing with ten women – after goalscorer Huynh Nhu was ejected from the match for picking up her second yellow card for taking off her shirt to celebrate her goal – the Vietnam defence was just too determined as they stuck to their guns all the way to the finish.

RESULTS – 27 August 2019

FINAL

Thailand 0 Vietnam 1 (after extra time)

THIRD AND FOURTH PLACING

Myanmar 3 Philippines 0