Vietnam secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Singapore in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 semi-finals, held at Jalan Besar Stadium on December 26, 2024. This result leaves Vietnam in a strong position heading to the second leg, set to take place on December 29.
The match, filled with twists and turns, saw both teams create numerous scoring opportunities, but it was Vietnam who capitalized on late-game pressure. Tiến Linh opened the scoring with a penalty kick deep in stoppage time after Singapore's defender Shakir Hamzah handled the ball inside the box. Just two minutes later, Xuân Son doubled the lead, sealing the win with his second goal of the tournament.
Despite Vietnam's strong performance, the match was punctuated by controversy. A potential goal by Xuân Son was disallowed after the match officials reviewed the incident with VAR, ruling he had fouled on the play. Coach of the Singapore team, Tsutomu Ogura, expressed regret over the disallowed goal, saying, "The match was very dramatic; I felt like I was watching a movie. VAR, canceled goals, and penalties..." This spectacle created palpable tension, amplifying the stakes for both teams.
The energy on the pitch showcased Vietnam's resilience, especially considering they had to adjust to the challenges of playing on artificial turf. Coach Kim Sang Sik acknowledged after the match the difficulties posed by the pitch but remained proud of how his players adapted. He insisted, "Our strategy was to maintain composure and seize our chances, and clearly, it worked out at the end of the match."
Singapore's Ogura also offered insights on his team’s performance, noting, “Vietnam utilized the opportunities presented, which made the difference.” He admitted his players struggled with the pressure leading to the late score, leading to what he described as tactical errors. He provided his squad with perspective, underlining, "We have to focus on recovery to be ready for the second leg. Although we lost, the semi-finals are not over yet, and we have another chance to make it to the finals."
Looking forward, Vietnam prepares to host the decisive second leg on their home ground at Việt Trì Stadium. This change from the artificial turf of Singapore to the natural grass field is expected to give Vietnam more of an edge, as they hope to build on this 2-0 lead with the support of their enthusiastic home fans.
Kim Sang Sik's team is eager to assert their dominance, stating simply, "We know we can perform much more effectively on natural grass," which they feel can resonate with their history of strong performances under home conditions.
Adding to the excitement among viewers and fans, tickets for the upcoming match went on sale on December 27, priced at 600,000, 500,000, and 300,000 VND, and were expected to sell out quickly due to skyrocketing demand.
The anticipation surrounding Vietnam’s next match indicates not only the importance of their current lead but also their determination to reach the finals of the AFF Cup once again. Across the footballing community, hopes remain high for what this talented Vietnamese squad can achieve.
With all eyes on December 29, both teams are set to engage once more as they bring their A-game to this thrilling semi-final stage. Will Vietnam secure their place in the finals, or will Singapore stage an unlikely comeback? Fans are eagerly awaiting to find out!
