The Vietnamese team had a 2-goal lead after the first leg and were expected to continue winning at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho Province in the second leg. However, the fact that coach Kim Sang-sik and his team scored 3 goals against their opponents was a somewhat surprising result. The reason is that with the intensity of the match from the semi-finals to the finals, which is about 3 days/match, the players also need to maintain their composure to always be in the best condition.
"I'm not too surprised about the 2-goal difference, but I'm very happy that the team scored 3 goals. If Nakamura from Singapore hadn't had a great long-range shot, the gap would have been even bigger.
Before the match, I was worried that after taking a 2-goal lead in the first leg, the Vietnamese players would play more rationally to keep their momentum and get just enough results to reach the final. However, the players firmly stood on their advantage and did not waver in their mentality, thereby playing scientifically in each stage of the match to reach the final overall victory. The only regret is that we received many rather unlucky yellow cards at the end of the match" - Commentator Quang Huy shared.
Before the second leg, one of the worst scenarios was drawn up, which was that Singapore would push forward to find a goal to reduce the aggregate gap, then put Vietnam in a psychologically weak position. This almost came true if the aerial ball into Vietnam's net in the early minutes of the first half had not been denied by VAR for offside.
Coach Tsutomu Ogura did not show off when he said that the Singapore team came to Vietnam for a tour. The away team's way of starting the game was very discreet, using their physical advantage to press right from the first minute like the first minutes of the second half of the first leg.
"One of the breakthroughs of Singapore in this match was the return of Kyogo Nakamura. With him, the away team played more carefully, scientifically, disciplined and created more breakthroughs.
The turning point was when the referee used VAR to review the situation of the ball being put into Vietnam's net from Singapore's aerial attack. If the referee had recognized the goal, we would have had to accept it. Fortunately, when the storm passed, the Vietnamese team played more comfortably, no longer tense, and from there the following goals came" - Commentator Quang Huy shared.
After a 5-1 aggregate victory, the Vietnamese team will "sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight" to watch the remaining semi-final second leg between Thailand and the Philippines. In the first leg, the "War Elephants" surprisingly lost 1-2 away in the final minutes. The defending champions are still considered stronger and will also play the second leg at home. However, there is danger when the Philippines decides to turn a new page in history, erasing the record of all losses in the semi-finals of previous AFF Cups.
"We will sit back and watch Thailand and the Philippines fight this afternoon. With this home and away format, each team will face different difficulties. Thailand is of course considered stronger and will play the second leg at home, but the Philippines is not easy. In the group stage, Vietnam almost lost to them away from home, while Thailand failed.
I hope Vietnam will meet Thailand in the final, even though I know they cannot be sure to overcome the Philippines. However, if Vietnam meets Thailand in the final, that will be the pinnacle of Southeast Asian football. Thailand lost in the first leg, but not many people think they are considered weaker than the Philippines" - Commentator Quang Huy commented.
