Coach Kim Sang-sik expressed immense pride after Vietnam defeated Thailand 3-2 in the second leg of the Asean Cup 2024 final, securing a 5-3 aggregate victory and their third regional championship. Despite the historic triumph, Kim emphasized that this is just the start of a new era for Vietnamese football.
“Tonight is history,” Kim said in the post-match press conference when asked if this was the most extraordinary match of his career. “We played on a challenging field in a tough game. Thanks to the support of Vietnamese fans, the team achieved this victory. I thank the players for never giving up and fighting until the end. I’ve won the K-League before, but that was at the club level. This is my first title with a national team, and it means so much.”
Carrying a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Vietnam faced immense pressure at Rajamangala Stadium, packed with nearly 50,000 Thai fans. The visitors made a dream start as Tuan Hai, making his first start of the tournament, lobbed the Thai goalkeeper in the 4th minute to give Vietnam an early lead.
However, Thailand equalized in the 28th minute when Ben Davis capitalized on a defensive error by Doan Ngoc Tan, curling a long-range shot past the keeper. The situation worsened for Vietnam when star striker Nguyen Xuan Son was forced off with a serious injury in the 32nd minute.
Thailand took a controversial lead in the 64th minute through Supachok Sarachat, who scored a stunning long-range goal after Vietnam had deliberately put the ball out of play for an injured player. Despite the lack of fair play, the goal stood, leveling the aggregate score at 3-3 and threatening extra time.
The match turned in Vietnam’s favor after Thailand’s Weerathep Pomphan received a second yellow card in the 74th minute for a tactical foul on Quang Hai. With a numerical advantage, Vietnam piled on the pressure and equalized in the 82nd minute when Thai defender Pansa Hemviboon scored an own goal while trying to block a shot from Tuan Hai.
In a nail-biting finish, Vietnam added a third goal in the 20th minute of stoppage time. Substitute Hai Long scored into an empty net after Thailand’s goalkeeper joined an attacking corner. The 3-2 victory ensured a 5-3 aggregate win and Vietnam’s third AFF Cup title, following their previous triumphs in 2008 and 2018.
While thrilled with the championship, Kim views this success as the foundation for future goals, including the final round of Asian Cup qualifiers and the SEA Games in 2025. “This is only the beginning. We have more challenges ahead, and I am excited to take them on,” he said.
On Thailand’s controversial second goal, Kim expressed disappointment but praised his team’s resilience. “It wasn’t a deserved goal, and I’m disappointed by it. But my players didn’t lose their focus or morale after that.”
Kim also reflected on his decision to start Tuan Hai, who had been sparingly used in the tournament. “Tuan Hai trained hard, and I had told him he would get his chance. This final was that opportunity, and he delivered. I want to thank him for playing a crucial role in our success,” Kim explained.
Born in 1976, Kim Sang-sik was a renowned defensive midfielder in South Korea. He began his coaching career with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, leading them to a K-League 1 title in 2021 and an FA Cup in 2022. After parting ways with Jeonbuk in 2023, Kim took over as Vietnam’s head coach in mid-2024, succeeding Philippe Troussier.
With this AFF Cup triumph, Kim has not only brought glory to Vietnam but also laid the groundwork for the national team’s future ambitions. Fans and players alike look forward to building on this historic success under his leadership.
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