ASEAN Cup: Vietnam beat Indonesia 1-0, rise to Group B top spot

The match against Indonesia was considered a crucial challenge for Vietnam, as it would decisively impact the race for the top spot in the group. After three consecutive losses to the opponents, Vietnam regained their winning form thanks to the brilliance of midfielder Quang Hai.

Coach Kim Sang-sik’s players completely dominated the first half. The visiting Indonesian players did not touch the ball in the penalty area of the home team, nor did they create any shots or threatening attacks.

However, the hosts did not perform much better than their opponents, except for primarily playing long balls and crosses from the flanks.

Indonesia’s dense and aggressive defense caused the home team to struggle, and the Vietnamese players only had two shots on target in the first half.

Similarly in the second half, Vietnam continued to dominate but lacked an effective attacking strategy against the opponents’ solid defense.

In this dominant situation, the hosting team had a few moments of complacency. However, goalkeeper Nguyen Filip and his teammates managed to correct their mistakes in time. Overall, they still controlled the counterattacks from the opponents, except for a few moments of distraction.

Kim decided to make some substitutions, but the personnel changes did not bring much difference. Nevertheless, in difficult circumstances, the Vietnamese team made the difference thanks to individual brilliance.

Midfielder Quang Hai, wearing the captain’s armband in place of Do Duy Manh, who was not playing, took a long-range shot that hit the crossbar. Immediately, this midfielder was in the penalty area to assist his teammate when the ball bounced out. The number 19 player took a decisive shot that beat the Indonesian goalkeeper.

Quang Hai’s goal helped Vietnam secure a hard-fought victory at home and take the top spot in the group before facing the Philippines and Myanmar in their final two matches.

“I know the fans were hoping for a big win. We feel very sorry, but we still have all three points. The players’ winning will is very strong, and this victory makes me satisfied,” said coach Kim Sang-sik after the match.

Meanwhile, coach Shin Tae-yong attributed the Indonesian loss to the difference in skill levels, saying his team entered the tournament with many young players under 22, so they could not be compared to the strongest lineup of the Vietnamese team.

After the 0-1 loss, Indonesia now have 4 points from 3 matches and lost the top spot in Group B to Vietnam.