So, today will be the next happy day in the series of days celebrating the championship of the Vietnam Team after the 2-1 victory over Thailand at Viet Tri Stadium. However, if is not the case. There is still 1 more match and to be the real champion, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team must overcome the final challenge. Also the biggest challenge.
Sunday (5.1), will be the second leg of the final in Bangkok. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his students did not celebrate too long after the first leg, the fans also only had 2 days to "release" their emotions, before returning with the feeling that 2-1 is still not a safe score. It is easy to see the familiarity in the situation, because remember, in the semi-finals, the Philippines team also won 2-1 against Thailand at home before losing 1-3 (after extra time) at Rajamangala Stadium in the second leg.
Rajamangala, of course, is one of the "bullet points" of the disadvantages of the Vietnam team. In the previous 3 times entering the AFF Cup final, the Vietnam team won twice (2008, 2018) after achieving favorable results in the first leg away from home. The remaining time (2022), the team drew 2-2 with Thailand at home and lost 0-2 when visiting the opponent's field. Remember, that year, the second leg took place at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani with a capacity of only nearly 20,000 people, while this year it was Rajamangala, with a capacity of 50,000 people.
Thailand had their 52-year unbeaten streak against the Philippines end, only to come back and win the match. Therefore, the fact that Vietnam won against them at home for the first time in 27 years certainly did not make the War Elephants tremble. The more important question is what new things will coach Kim Sang-sik bring to Xuan Son after the opponent has "directly experienced" and will have experience in the rematch?
It is undeniable that, despite losing in Viet Tri, the performance of the Thai team was better. Of course, the result is the priority, but when the final has a second leg, the challenge becomes maximum. Coach Kim Sang-sik declared that "there is no need to fear the Thai team anymore" and with "Spring and Son", he needs to prove that in this challenge.
Returning victorious, the happy days continue, opening the spirit for 2025.
