Why does the Vietnamese team often prevail against Thailand in the finals?

How does Vietnam compete?

Both times the Vietnamese team defeated Thailand in the AFF Cup finals (2008. 2024), both leading in the first leg, before we left the opponent with no chance to reverse the situation. in the return leg.

Professionally, the Vietnamese team may be slightly behind Thailand in regional tournaments, but mentally, the Vietnamese players are no worse than any opponent. We are even mentally better than our opponents in decisive moments.

Last night’s final return match (January 5) is a vivid example. Thailand is slightly better than the Vietnamese team in terms of ball control and number of shots, proving that they are still more evenly matched than the Vietnamese team. However, Vietnamese players still won and, in terms of score, were still successful in winning the cup.

That comes from the fiery, resilient and somewhat cold spirit of Vietnamese players in decisive moments. These are the elements that Thai players lack. Weerathep Pomphan received a red card while no Vietnamese player received a similar card, proving that Vietnamese players are more alert and cold.

This bravery was also demonstrated by Vietnamese players in the 2008 AFF Cup final. That year, coach Henrique Calisto’s team won against Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium (in Bangkok) in the first leg, before drawing. against the opponent in the return match at home, ultimately winning 3-2 after 2 final matches. Not many teams in Southeast Asia can defeat Thailand right at Rajamangala Stadium time and time again, like the Vietnamese team can do.

In 2008, the decisive equalizer for the Vietnamese team in the 2008 AFF Cup second leg final was scored by striker Le Cong Vinh in extra time of the second half. This year, the goal sealed victory 3. -2 in the final return match last night was also scored by Hai Long in the extra time of the second half (minutes… 90+20). The Vietnamese team does not give up, Vietnamese players do not give up even when pushed into a difficult position. That is something that the Thai team rarely encounters with their other opponents in Southeast Asia.

When Thailand played the AFF Cup final with Indonesia, or even with Malaysia, they did not face as many difficulties as when competing with the Vietnamese team. Only teams that are afraid of losing can easily lose to Thailand. As for the Vietnamese team, when it has reached the finals of the Southeast Asian tournaments, we are not afraid of the team from the land of the golden pagoda, we are not afraid of losing even though there are times when we are under very strong pressure from Thailand, including Thailand. The opponent used tricks to gain the upper hand (Supachok Sarachat’s goal lacked fair play last night).