Southeast Asia Newspaper: 'Despite losing Xuan Son, Vietnam still proves its mettle against Thailand'

Southeast Asian media has given much praise to the performance of the Vietnamese team after defeating Thailand and winning the AFF Cup 2024.

Visiting Thailand's Rajamangala Stadium in the second leg of the final (on the evening of January 5), the Vietnamese team showed great spirit. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team defeated Thailand 3-2, thereby winning the championship with a total score of 5-3 after 2 matches. In the history of the tournament, this is the 3rd time the "Golden Star Warriors" have lifted the championship title, after 2008 and 2018. Evaluating the performance of the Vietnamese team in the second leg, the Malaysian newspaper Bharian expressed: "On the Rajamangala fire pan, the Vietnamese team demonstrated great class and spirit. They affirmed that the AFF Cup 2024 championship for them is completely deserved. The Vietnamese team played with self-awareness, carefully and meticulously handling every situation on the field right from the start of the match. Even after conceding two consecutive goals and falling behind, the Vietnamese team still played calmly, launched attacks to equalize and then won 3-2. Throughout the tournament, Kim Sang-sik's tactics were questioned. However, they played more and more confidently, especially in the two final matches. Even a strong team like Thailand, with all the top stars like Supachok Sarachat, Suphanat Mueanta, Ekanit Panya, could not defeat them.

Vietnam team convincingly won the AFF Cup 2024

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

Meanwhile, Indonesia's Suara website expressed surprise that the Vietnamese team was still able to stand firm in Thailand and win the championship despite losing Xuan Son early.

“The Vietnamese team once again showed incredible play at the AFF Cup 2024 , scoring an early opening goal in the second leg of the final against Thailand. However, the joy did not last long, as fear enveloped Vietnamese fans when the most important striker, Xuan Son, had to leave the field early. Coincidentally, television at that time captured the moment Quang Hai clasped his hands in prayer - which showed that even Vietnamese players were mentally affected by this great loss.

However, when the final whistle blew at the end of the second leg of the final, the Vietnamese team proved to the fans that without Xuan Son, they were still a united and strong team. Although Vietnam's counter-attacking ability was affected, they quickly regained their spirit, played bravely against Thailand to stand firm in the face of countless pressures. Winning 3-2 right on Thailand's field was a worthy result for the efforts of Mr. Kim Sang-sik's team.

Losing Xuan Son early, the Vietnamese team still shows great character

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

Sharing the same opinion with Suara , CNN Indonesia believes that the AFF Cup 2024 championship for the Vietnamese team is worthy.

“The Thai team made positive changes in the second leg but it was not enough, they still fell to Vietnam. In terms of spirit, tactics and playing style, the Vietnamese team had a completely convincing journey to the AFF Cup 2024,” CNN Indonesia concluded.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-dong-nam-a-mat-xuan-son-viet-nam-van-chung-minh-ban-linh-truoc-thai-lan-18525010522562867.htm