AFF Cup final: Vietnam lose 2-3 on aggregate to Thailand
VOV.VN - Hosts Thailand defeated visitors Vietnam 1-0 in Bangkok on January 16 evening, defending their AFF Cup championship title following their 2-2 in an away match in Hanoi three days earlier.
Under mounting pressure in Bangkok, coach Park Hang-seo made several changes in the lineup, by sending in Tuan Anh, Van Duc, Van Thanh, Viet Anh and Thanh Binh at the beginning.
Both teams produced attacks after the whistle and carved out scoring chances but only Theerathon Bunmathan of Thailand shot from afar, opening the scoring.
The visiting players seemed not to keep their composure and had a few unnecessary fouls.
Though midfielder Quang Hai was sent in to replace Tuan Anh, Vietnamese players found it difficult to break in their Thai opponents’ defence line.
After the break, Park continued to make two substitutions in an attempt to get an equalizer. However, it was Thai players who performed well, especially in ball control and attack organisation.
In the last 20 minutes of the match, Thanh Chung was brought in and Van Toan was requested to play on the right wing. This change helped the Vietnamese team improve the situation, but it was not enough for the gold star warriors to get at least one goal.
Losing 2-3 to Thailand on aggregate, the Vietnamese team could not lift the Gold Cup from the Thais who claimed the title in 2020.
The away match was also the last match coach Park Hang-seo has bid farewell to the Vietnamese football team.
