Phu Tho (VNA) – The atmosphere was electric at Viet Tri Stadium in northern Vietnam on the evening of December 15 as fans held their breath for 77 minutes before bursting into joy. The Vietnam national football team secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Indonesia in their second Group B match at the Southeast Asian Cup – Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024.
A late goal from the iconic Nguyen Quang Hai provided the crucial breakthrough, propelling Vietnam to the top of their group with two games remaining and putting them on a promising path to the semi-finals.
In what was a gripping encounter, coach Kim Sang-sik showed his tactical acumen in his first clash against former teammate Shin Tae-yong, fielding a robust formation that included Nguyen Filip in goal and Quang Hai orchestrating the game from central midfield.
Despite their best intentions, Indonesia struggled to find their rhythm. After a grueling match which ended in a 3-3 draw at home to Laos two days earlier and the absence of their key player Marselino Ferdinan due to suspension, they looked to salvage a point in the hostile environment of the noisy Viet Tri Stadium.
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The first half belonged to Vietnam, who displayed their dominance, controlling 75% of the ball and shooting no less than 18 times at Indonesian goalkeeper Cahya Supriadi.
However, it wasn’t until the 77th minute that the status quo was finally broken. Following a quick attack on the right flank, the ball reached Quang Hai, who was waiting near the area. With remarkable composure, he fired a left-footed volley that hit the crossbar.
The rebound fell conveniently to Nguyen Tien Linh, who cleverly played it back to Quang Hai. This time he hit a powerful left-footed shot that slipped through Cahya’s hands and found the back of the net.
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The importance of this goal was not lost on the spectators; it was a poignant reminder of Quang Hai’s journey through adversity and triumph as he attempted to make his mark in European football before encountering setbacks. His perseverance was richly rewarded, turning his second chance into a moment of glory.
In his post-match remarks, Quang Hai expressed his joy, saying: “I am delighted to have helped the team achieve this victory. We showed great mentality throughout the match, and this victory means a lot for our supporters in the stadium.” He added: “This success will undoubtedly infuse our team with new energy and motivation to excel in future meetings.”
However, the victory was not without its imperfections. Rough back passes and careless passing from some defenders like Nguyen Thanh Chung gave Indonesia scoring chances in the second half. Fortunately for Vietnam, goalkeeper Filip Nguyen was on alert, stopping their efforts and achieving both the victory and his first scoreless match with the national team.
The victory propels Vietnam to the top of Group B with six points, leaving Indonesia behind with four. With a crucial match against the Philippines on December 18, a victory will secure the Golden Star Warriors a coveted spot in the semi-finals of the 2024 ASEAN Cup.
VNA
