A Salute to Vietnam

As a Filipino, the emotions were still raw for me after our Azkals – the Philippine national football team – suffered a heart-wrenching loss to Thailand in the recently-concluded 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals. We fought valiantly, and we even took the front-end of the 2-part semis 2-1, before Thailand’s War Elephants stole the Finals slot with a thrilling 3-1 win in Bangkok. Watching Thailand face off against the Vietnam Golden Dragons in the Finals gave me a pinch of envy, for I had so wanted to see the Azkals gut it out in the Finals. But things just weren’t meant to be. And after finally accepting the loss, I couldn’t help but admire our 2 regional neighbors who locked horns for the title.

The final score would stand at a dramatic 3-2 victory for Vietnam, marking only their third ASEAN Championship title and their first time to win away from home. This was a monumental achievement that speaks volumes of their growth in football. Despite my disappointment in our own team’s exit, it was hard not to cheer for Vietnam as they overcame every challenge thrown at them. Thailand had the homecourt advantage. Vietnam’s superstar and tournament top scorer Nguyen Xuan Son suffered a nasty broken leg just before half time. Thailand scored a questionable goal to take the lead, 2-1. It looked like the stars were aligning to favor Thailand. But no, the football gods just would not have it that way. And in the end, Vietnam’s winning goal would simply trickle in oh-so-slowly to a defenseless goal. What a roller-coaster ride this game was!

Pham Tuan Hai’s sneaky lob opened the scoring for Vietnam in an opportunistic heist in the 8-minute mark. Tuan Hai had just returned to duty from an injury, and his arrival was a big surprise for the Thai defenders. As the defenders swarmed Xuan Son, Tuan Hai was there to the rescue. It was truly a pleasant surprise to see an under-utilized player showcase such resilience and skill. And yes, it was exhilarating to see him step up in such crucial moments.

But Thailand would equalize with Ben Davis’ powerful strike 20 minutes later, and the atmosphere would change. Thailand was now slowly, but surely, asserting their offensive dominance over Vietnam. When Xuan Son, the tournament’s top scorer, suffered a broken leg, my heart sank. As a football fan, seeing a player go down in such a critical moment is always tough. It seemed that Vietnam’s chances were now dimming, as Thailand stepped up their attacks even more. But in those moments of adversity, the Vietnamese team stuck together.

Supachok Sarachat then gave Thailand the lead 2-1, and levelled the overall score with a blistering strike in the 64th minute. It was a controversial goal that added to the tension. The Viet goalie had sent the ball out to allow the medics to bring out an injured player. As a fair-play gesture, it was assumed that the Thais would return possession to the Viets. Instead, Supachok had fired a screamer-of-a-goal unchallenged.

It was saddening to watch the Vietnamese players appeal to the referee. The fact that the Thais argued strongly for the goal, despite its obvious unsportsmanly implications, somehow made me sympathetic to the Vietnamese side after the incident. Yes, football can be cruel, but Vietnam’s Golden Dragons showed their true mettle by fighting back.

True enough, the Vietnamese tenacity would be rewarded when a Thai player was booted out in the 75th minute for a second booked foul, giving the Viets numerical advantage. And as if to punish the Thais for their unfair play in scoring their 2nd goal, the football gods gave Vietnam its equalizer in the form of an own goal by Pansa Hemviboon in the 83rd minute. Vietnam’s persistence had paid off. And what better way for the football gods to right Supachok’s wrongful act than through an own-goal score! Right before a stunned highly-partisan home crowd of close to 39,000 fans.

And when Nguyen Hai Long scored that stunning long-range winner in the dying moments of the game as the Thais desperately hunted for an equalizer, I found myself cheering—yes, cheering— for a team that was not my own.

Vietnam’s Korean Coach Kim Sang-sik worked his magic on his players, making them believe in themselves despite all the adversities thrown their way. The Thais had the homecourt advantage, and they had the rabid cheering crowd. The Viets lost their top scorer and MVP, their Brazilian naturalized player, Nguyen Xuan Son, right in the first half of play. The Thais dominated the offensive attempts. Plus they had an unfair play goal count for them. Despite all that, coach Kim got the team to play tough defense, and patiently waited for the golden opportunities – however rare – given them. Coach Kim demonstrated that football is not just about the game; it’s about patience, camaraderie, spirit, and resilience. Watching Vietnam lift the trophy was bittersweet. I was proud of my neighbors, and yes, it reminded me of the potential our own team has yet to tap into.

Vietnam’s journey this year is a testament to their determination. They have shown that with hard work and a united front, they can overcome the odds. This victory will go down in history as one of the best ASEAN Championship finals ever, and I found myself swept away by their celebration.

Reflecting on the tournament, I can’t help but feel inspired. Vietnam’s win is a reminder of what can be achieved through resilience and unity. While my heart still aches from the Azkals’ loss in the semis, I genuinely congratulate Vietnam on this wonderful achievement. This is an inspiration our own team needs to rise to the occasion in the future. Here’s to more thrilling matches ahead, and hopefully, for the Philippines to join the ranks of champions soon.

My salute to the Vietnam Golden Dragons.

Cover photo courtesy of Vn Express International. Other photos courtesy of The Investor, Nhan Dan, baihaidung.vn, Vn Express International, YouTube, Vietnam.vn. For a closer look, just click on the pics.