Nguyen Anh Duc becomes the hero as he scored the only goal in the sixth minute from an excellent pass by midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai.

Vietnam team before the final showpiece.

Veteran striker Anh Duc back to the starting lineup to replace Duc Chinh after being off in the first leg, while Hung Dung replaced Duc Huy in the centre. With that two changes, coach Park Hang-seo was aimed at improving the scoring ability of the attacking line, as well as consolidating the midfield, with two defending midfielders in support of the three-man defensive line.

Quang Hai delivers an assist to help Anh Duc score the only goal of the match.

The conceded goal did not make the visitors down. They still showed their calm and great determination. Mohamadou Sumareh had a golden chance to level the score in the 12th minute but his speculative backheel in the box went narrowly wide.

Vietnamese fans are expected to party every corner across the country tonight to cheer the emphatic victory by the home team.

The pressure of the game is pushed up as fierce collision appeared frequently on the pitch. The referee had to give six yellow cards in the first half to players of both sides.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vietnamese players celebrate the victory.

Manager Tan Cheng Hoe’s side threatened again just five minutes to the second half but Van Lam was excellent again to deny Sumareh’s header from Safawi’s corner, before Syamer Kutty’s follow-up effort was well blocked by defender Do Duy Manh.

Vietnamese players celebrate their win over Malaysia in the AFF Cup 2018 final second leg.

Van Lam then saved again from Safawi’s free-kick, but the home team also threatened in the final 20 minutes with Hung Dung and substitute Nguyen Phong Hong Duy’s efforts.

Coach Park Hang-seo has his first trophy one year after staring his coaching career in Vietnam.

In several final minutes, Malaysia appeared to run out of ideas as Vietnam stood firm in defending their lead.

No more goals were scored until the final whistle, and Vietnam wrapped up the thrilling dramatic match with the narrow 1-0 win. The home team are officially AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 champions, beating Malaysia 3-2 on aggregate after the two legs.

This is the first AFF Cup championship title in a decade for Vietnam and also their second in history. They were granted the trophy right after the match while football fan nationwide are expected to enjoy a big fest tonight.

Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai was honored with the Most Valuable Player award for his outstanding performance at the tournament.

Vietnamese fans are expected to party every corner across the country tonight to cheer the emphatic victory by the home team.

AFF Cup: Nation smothered in red as Vietnam enters final

Vietnam glowed bright red after the men’s team stormed emphatically into the final of the AFF Cup Thursday night.

 

Thai media: Vietnam moves closer to AFF Cup championship title

Thai media ran various headlines on Vietnam’s victory over the Philippines in the semifinal return leg of the ASEAN Federation Football (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, saying that the team is inching closer to the championship title.

 

PM sends letter to football team ahead of AFF Cup finals

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 8 sent a letter to encourage the national football team before their participation in the final first leg against Malaysia in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018.

 

AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 final tickets sold online

Tickets for the upcoming second leg of the final match between Vietnam and Malaysia in the AFF Suzuki Cup have been sold online.

 

Vietnam tie with Malaysia in AFF first-leg final

Vietnam drew Malaysia in the first-leg final of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, which took place at the Bukit Jalil national stadium in Kuala Lumpur on December 11.

 

Source: NDO