Vietnam secured their place in the final of the 2024/25 AFF Championship with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Singapore in the second leg of their semi-final clash at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho Province on Sunday. The result, combined with their 2-0 triumph in the first leg, saw the Golden Star Warriors advance with a dominant 5-1 aggregate score.
Nguyen Xuan Son once again proved to be the hero for Vietnam, following up his crucial contribution in the first leg with a brace in this match. His performance ensured Vietnam’s return to the final for the second consecutive edition of the tournament. Despite a spirited response from Singapore, including a goal by Kyoga Nakamura in the second half, Nguyen Tien Linh’s stoppage-time penalty sealed the comprehensive victory for the home side.
Singapore started the match with intent, and Faris Ramli found the back of the net within the opening 10 minutes. However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review revealed a marginal offside in the buildup, with Shawal Anuar adjudged to be slightly ahead of Vietnam’s Vu Van Thanh when Safuwan Baharudin headed the ball into his path.
Vietnam also saw a goal disallowed midway through the first half. Chau Ngoc Quang’s header from a Nguyen Hai Long cross appeared to give the hosts the lead, but the referee penalized Ngoc Quang for a challenge on Singapore’s Nazrul Nazari before scoring.
Despite these early setbacks, Vietnam grew into the game, creating more chances. Ngoc Quang nearly broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute after being set up by captain Do Duy Manh, but Singapore goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud made an excellent save to deny his powerful shot.
The breakthrough finally came six minutes before halftime. A free-kick from Hai Long brushed the crossbar, but the referee awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed Lionel Tan had pulled Xuan Son’s shirt inside the box. The Thep Xanh Nam Dinh talismanic striker stepped up himself and calmly converted, sending Mahbud the wrong way to give Vietnam a 1-0 lead on the night and extend their aggregate advantage to 3-0.
In the second half, Brazil-born Xuan Son, previously known as Rafaelson, doubled his tally in the 63rd minute, scoring his fifth goal in just three international appearances. Nguyen Hoang Duc delivered a teasing cross from the left, and while Safuwan Baharudin attempted to clear, the ball fell perfectly for Xuan Son to tap in, effectively ending Singapore’s hopes of a comeback.
Singapore managed to pull one back in the 74th minute through Kyoga Nakamura. The Japanese-born midfielder curled a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box past Vietnam goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu. However, despite the goal, Singapore failed to mount a sustained comeback.
Vietnam cemented their victory deep into stoppage time when substitute Tien Linh converted a penalty after Amirul Adli fouled Nguyen Van Vi in the box. The 3-1 result on the night capped off a dominant performance by the Golden Star Warriors.
Vietnam now turn their focus to the final, where they will aim to claim their third ASEAN Championship title, having previously won in 2008 and 2018. They await the winner of the other semi-final between defending champions Thailand and the Philippines, with the Thais needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit in their return leg on Monday.