The atmosphere was electric at the Vietnam Tri Stadium on December 15, 2024, as the Vietnam National Football Team faced off against Indonesia in the ASEAN Cup 2024. This match was highly anticipated by fans and marked Vietnam's chance for redemption after suffering three consecutive losses to their rivals, Indonesia.
Vietnam entered the game with high hopes following their convincing 4-1 victory over Laos. Coach Kim Sang-sik's squad was eager to maintain momentum, and they knew beating Indonesia was pivotal for advancing to the knockout rounds.
Indonesia, led by coach Shin Tae-yong, was fielding a younger squad with many players under 22. Despite their struggles earlier in the tournament, including a draw against Laos, they aimed to make a strong statement against Vietnam.
The match kicked off with immediate pressure from the home side. Vietnam dominated possession, creating several scoring opportunities but struggling to break through Indonesia's rigid defense. Throughout the first half, they tested Indonesia’s goalkeeper, Supriadi, but he remained resolute.
Despite Vietnam’s dominance, the first half ended without any goals, leaving the stadium buzzing with anticipation for the second half. Vietnamese fans, clad in red, cheered loudly, wishing for their team's perseverance to bear fruit.
Coach Shin Tae-yong, acknowledging the challenge, had previously stated, “Indonesia chắc chắn sẽ gặp bất lợi ở trận đấu ngày mai. Tuy nhiên, đây sẽ là cơ hội để các cầu thủ của tôi tích lũy thêm kinh nghiệm.” (Indonesia will certainly face disadvantages tomorrow. Nonetheless, this will be an opportunity for my players to gain more experience.)
At the start of the second half, Vietnam's relentless pursuit continued, mounting pressure with quick passes and aggressive attacks. The breakthrough came at the 77th minute when Quang Hải, after taking his chances from outside the box, saw his shot ricochet off the crossbar and rebound perfectly for him to follow up. His quick strike was enough to finally beat Supriadi and send the home crowd roaring.
“Trận đấu này có ý nghĩa quan trọng, là trận đấu của lòng tự tôn,” Coach Kim Sang-sik remarked during pre-match interviews, underlining the pride and determination behind this encounter. His team, ignited by Quang Hải's goal, pressed on to secure their lead, all the more aware of the stakes attached to this match.
The final minutes showcased Vietnam’s tenacity. Despite Indonesia's attempts to equalize, they were thwarted by Vietnam's formidable defense, led by the impressive goalkeeper Nguyễn Filip. The match concluded with Vietnam securing the 1-0 victory, crystallizing their position at the top of Group B with six points, albeit having played one less match.
This victory not only added valuable points but also brought relief to the team, who had struggled to find their form recently against Indonesia. Player performances were commendable, particularly Quang Hải’s opportunism leading to the decisive goal.
Indonesian media expressed their disappointment with the result, labeling it as another hurdle under Shin Tae-yong’s management, who has yet to defeat Vietnam. Historically, the teams had previously met three times under his guidance without securing any win.
Moving forward, Vietnam looks at upcoming matches with heightened expectations, using this win to bolster morale as they aim for the next stages of the tournament.
Fans exiting the stadium echoed the sentiment of hope and confidence instilled by the team’s performance, invigorated by the prospect of what lies ahead. Vietnam’s supporters will be watching closely as their team seeks to capitalize on this momentum, with ambitions set high for reaching the semifinals of ASEAN Cup 2024.
