Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai scored the only goal to help Vietnam defeat Indonesia 1-0 in their Group B match at the ASEAN Cup.
Vietnam ended a three-match losing streak to Indonesia in 2024, securing their first win in the fourth meeting between the two teams. On the evening of December 15, at the Viet Tri Stadium, the hosts dominated the match but needed a moment of individual brilliance from Quang Hai to secure all three points.
In the 77th minute, when Vietnam seemed frustrated by the opponent’s packed defense, Quang Hai took a powerful shot from outside the penalty box that hit the crossbar. The ball rebounded to Quang Hai after a touch from Tien Linh. On his second attempt, Quang Hai forced Indonesia’s goalkeeper Cahya into a mistake, as the ball slipped through his hands and slowly rolled into the net. This was Quang Hai’s first goal for Vietnam since January 2024, ending a 16-match goal drought both at the national team and club level.
Not only Quang Hai, but goalkeeper Nguyen Filip also ended his own frustrating run. It was his 10th start for Vietnam before finally claiming his first win. In his first appearance in the starting lineup at the ASEAN Cup, Filip didn’t have much to do, as Indonesia played defensively throughout the match and barely attacked. However, a key save in the second half helped give his teammates confidence during a difficult spell.
Filip and Quang Hai were two of the five changes made by coach Kim Sang Sik compared to the starting lineup in the 4-1 victory over Laos. Coach Shin Tae-yong also made five changes to his starting XI to manage the players’ fitness after Indonesia’s long travel and busy schedule. Key players like Pratama Arhan and Rafael Struick were placed on the bench. Indonesia played with a 5-4-1 defensive setup, leaving Vietnam with little space to build plays in the first half.
Indonesia’s youthful energy made it a challenging match for Vietnam, with the opponents pressuring them throughout most of the game. Vietnam had a few opportunities, but they were not clear-cut. On the sideline, coach Kim Sang Sik showed signs of impatience, especially as Vietnam struggled and referee Al Shehri seemed lenient on Indonesia’s tackles.
In the second half, Indonesia improved with the introduction of key players. Pratama Arhan didn’t have many chances to throw the ball in, but the attacking threats from Struick and Dethan, with their pace and strength, put pressure on Vietnam. When Indonesia’s momentum was growing, Vietnam struck with Quang Hai’s decisive goal, which relieved not only the team but also the 20,000 fans in the stadium.
Despite the young lineup of Shin Tae-yong’s team, they couldn’t maintain their fitness and mental strength after the goal. Had Quang Hai or Hai Long finished their chances accurately, Vietnam could have won by a larger margin. However, the 1-0 victory was enough to give Vietnam six points from two games, putting them in a strong position in the group.
Vietnam only needs to win one of their remaining two matches against the Philippines and Myanmar to guarantee top spot in Group B and likely avoid Thailand in the semifinals. Indonesia, with four points from three matches, still controls their fate and will face the Philippines in their final match on December 21, a match they cannot afford to lose.
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