ESPN's homepage headline reads: "Vietnam team defeats Thailand after super dramatic final". Journalist Gabriel Tan describes: "The two teams created a thrilling match at Rajamangala, with the final goal to seal the 3-2 score being scored by Hai Long in the 20th minute of injury time.

Vietnam team overcomes adversity to win ASEAN Cup 2024 - Photo: Asean United

For the third time winning the Southeast Asian championship, the Vietnamese team has avenged their grudge against a familiar opponent, after watching Thailand lift the trophy two years ago." ESPN also said that, despite being a strong candidate before the tournament, coach Kim Sang Sik's team had to overcome many adversities to be able to achieve success. That happened right in the middle of the first half of the second leg final, when striker Nguyen Xuan Son suffered a serious injury and could not continue playing. Then, Thailand took a 2-1 lead thanks to a controversial goal that lacked the spirit of fair play by Supachok. ESPN concluded: "The Vietnamese players took the pressure off themselves, courageously thought of a way to resolve the situation, and then won thanks to a moment of brilliance from Tuan Hai and Hai Long. When the ball from Hai Long's feet rolled over the goal line, Vietnam knew that they were once again the Southeast Asian champions. To emphasize the importance of this achievement, Thailand had only lost once before at the ASEAN Cup (AFF Cup). That was also in the first leg final against Vietnam in 2008.

Captain Duy Manh lifts the championship trophy - Photo: Asean United

That year, the Vietnamese team lifted the championship trophy for the first time. In 16 years, they have won the championship three times." Reuters news agency admitted that "it was the late goals that helped the Vietnamese team defeat Thailand". In addition, they also said that the turning point of the match was midfielder Weerathep's red card: "Tensions erupted after Supachok's goal. However, the game was completely reversed when Weerathep was sent off, receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Vu Van Thanh. The Vietnamese team quickly proved their numerical advantage when Tuan Hai caused Pansa to score an own goal, and Hai Long scored the final goal in the last minute of injury time."