Seven years after Coach Park Hang-seo, Kim Sang-sik gave Vietnam the trophy.
The Vietnamese national soccer team, led by head coach Kim Sang-sik, won the second game of the 2024 Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Cup final at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on the 5th (Korea time), beating Thailand by a total of 5-3 in the first and second games.
With this victory, Vietnam has achieved three career victories. After his first win in 2008, coach Park Hang-seo led Vietnam to win the Mitsubishi Cup in 2018. Since then, he has lifted the trophy again in seven years. For Vietnam, it has recently won two Mitsubishi Cups based on the guidance of the Korean coach.
Coach Kim won the trophy six months after his inauguration in Vietnam, continuing his successful career in the Vietnamese national team. Vietnam, which handed over the baton to Philippe Truscier, who was in charge of the Japanese national team after Park Hang-seo stepped down, decided to break up early. Afterwards, he brought manager Kim Sang-sik. There were concerns about coach Kim, who had a hiatus after leaving Jeonbuk, but the victory turned the concern into a cheer.
Earlier in the first round in Vietnam, he succeeded in gaining a head start against Thailand. Nguyen Xuansson's performance in 'Vietnam's SON' was remarkable. After scoring the first goal with his head in the 14th minute of the second half, he intercepted the Thai defender's ball at the halfway line in the 27th minute of the second half and finished with a left-footed shot in the penalty box. Based on his performance, he won 2-1 to lay the groundwork for the second game victory.
Vietnam also led the flow in the second game. Vietnam took the lead by scoring in the eighth minute of the first half. The ball was delivered to the front through a free kick from the back, and the ball headed straight into the Thai penalty box. Tuan Hai did not lose his concentration and finished by slightly floating his teeth in front of the goalkeeper. He shook the Thai net by crossing the goalkeeper.
Thailand also hit back at an early stage. In the 28th minute of the first half, striker Ben Davies from Fulham Youth finished the mistake in the Vietnamese defense area with a shot to break the Vietnamese goal.
Vietnam even suffered an injury in the first half. Suanson, the core of the team's power, escaped due to injury. In the 32nd minute of the first half, the replacement was inevitable, complaining of leg pain. The first half ended 1-1.
The second half was even more intense. Thailand scored first. In the 19th minute of the second half, Supachok Sarachat's mid-range shot flew sharply and Thailand's second score was scored. Thailand raised the mood to 3-3 overall in the first and second games. However, the controversial scene raised fans' eyebrows before scoring.
Vietnam sent the ball out for treatment when a player collapsed on the field in a scene before Sarachat's score. The problem was that Thailand did not hand the ball to Vietnam. Rather, he quickly threw in and connected to Sarachat, who scored with a powerful shot. This play is not against the rules, but it was difficult to regard it as manners toward the opponent.
Vietnam succeeded in counterattacking. In the 37th minute of the second half, Quang Hai, who caught the ball from the left side of the box, hit Hambi Boon's foot and headed into the Thai goal. It was the moment Vietnam took the lead again.
The bloodshed continued until the extra time. They were given a whopping 15 minutes. Thailand continued to aim for the Vietnamese goal, but no goals were scored. Rather, just before the end of the second half, while Thailand's goalkeeper was away due to his participation in the attack, Nguyen Hiron scored in Vietnam's counterattack. Vietnam won the Mitsubishi Cup with a 3-2 record in the second round and a 5-3 total in the first and second rounds.
This victory was even more meaningful for Vietnam because it beat the enemy Thailand's non-manner play. In addition, coach Kim Sang-sik will revitalize Vietnamese soccer, which has been delayed for a while since coach Park Hang-seo, by winning the championship, and his future journey with the Vietnamese national team will be greatly supported by fans.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
