December 17 – Vietnam defeated Malaysia 1-0 on Saturday to claim a second Suzuki Cup 3-2 on aggregate. Nguyen Anh Duc scored the deciding goal early on in Hanoi.
Vietnam had last won the regional title in 2008 and were determined to make their two away goals from the 2-2 draw in the first leg count. In a scrappy and physical encounter between the two sides, ten players were booked and Malaysia’s Shahrul Saad was sent off in the dying minutes of the game.
By then Vietnam had scored a decisive goal. Nguyen Anh Duc volleyed home after six minutes, even if Nguyen Quang Hai appeared to be offside. This time there was no coming back for Malaysia, who had drawn the first leg after trailing 0-2. The visitors pressed but could not find a way past goalkeeper Dang Van Lam. Conceding early proved to be their downfall.
“Indeed, I am aware that the three times we met Vietnam, we let in an early goal,” lamented Malaysia’s coach Tan Cheng. “When it happened tonight, it affected the players’ confidence. In the previous match (on December 11), we did a comeback, but this time, the players could not score and some scoring opportunities went begging.”
The Vietnamese victory sparked wild celebrations across Vietnam as supporters took to the streets to delight in the Suzuki Cup triumph. The win caps a remarkable year for Vietnamese football. In 2018 Vietnam also reached the semi-finals of the Asian Games for the first time since 1962 and they won silver at the U23 Asian Cup.
In January Vietnam will be one of the 24 teams competing at the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates. They have been drawn alongside Yemen, Iran and Iraq.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, moc.l1714020786labto1714020786ofdlr1714020786owedi1714020786sni@o1714020786fni1714020786
