Vietnam have won the 2024/25 AFF Championship after defeating Thailand 5-3 on aggregate in a dramatic and eventful second leg at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on Sunday, with the title being their third after triumphs in 2008 and 2018.
The match began with a vibrant atmosphere, and Vietnam wasted no time in seizing control. Making his first start of the tournament, Pham Tuan Hai opened the scoring in the 8th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Thailand. A long free-kick from Pham Xuan Manh caused confusion in the Thai backline, allowing Tuan Hai to deftly chip the ball over goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai, extending Vietnam’s aggregate lead to 3-1. Despite receiving an early yellow card, Tuan Hai’s performance justified head coach Kim Sang-sik’s decision to include him in the starting lineup.
Thailand, determined to overturn their first-leg deficit, found a lifeline in the 28th minute when Ben Davis scored a stunning long-range strike. After a Vietnamese defensive error, Davis curled the ball into the bottom corner from 30 yards out, leveling the score on the night. However, Vietnam suffered a setback as Nguyen Xuan Son, the tournament’s MVP and top scorer with seven goals, was stretchered off with an injury shortly after. Despite this blow, Vietnam maintained their defensive discipline, heading into halftime with a slender lead on aggregate.
The second half saw Thailand ramping up their attacking efforts, spurred on by their home crowd. Patrik Gustavsson and Suphanat Mueanta both missed clear chances early in the half, failing to capitalize on Davis’s incisive passes. In the 64th minute, Thailand leveled the aggregate score in controversial circumstances. After a Vietnamese injury stoppage, Thailand resumed play instead of returning the ball, allowing Supachok Sarachat to unleash a thunderous 30-yard strike that beat goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu, igniting the Rajamangala Stadium.
The momentum seemed to swing Thailand’s way, but their progress was halted when defensive midfielder Weerathep Pomphun was sent off in the 74th minute after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Nguyen Quang Hai. Vietnam capitalized on their numerical advantage eight minutes later, regaining the lead through an own goal. Tuan Hai’s attempt to find the bottom corner deflected off Thai defender Pansa Hemviboon and into the net, pushing Vietnam ahead 4-3 on aggregate.
Despite being a man down, Thailand fought valiantly and came agonizingly close to forcing extra time. Suphanan Bureerat struck the woodwork in the 90th minute, and substitute Seksan Ratree had two golden opportunities in stoppage time but failed to convert. Vietnam sealed the victory deep into extra time with a counterattack. Thai goalkeeper Patiwat, who had ventured forward for a corner, was left stranded as Nguyen Hai Long calmly rolled the ball into an open net from the halfway line, securing a 3-2 win on the night and a 5-3 aggregate triumph.