Vietnam became the first team to defeat Thailand in both legs of an ASEAN Cup final. After winning 2-1 in the first leg at home in Viet Tri Stadium, Vietnam secured a thrilling 3-2 victory at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, overcoming the traditionally dominant Thai side in their own backyard.

Tuan Hai (number 10) celebrates his shot that helped Vietnam equalize 2-2 in the ASEAN Cup 2024 final against Thailand in Rajamangala. Stadium, Bangkok, Jan. 5, 2025.

This victory marked the second time Vietnam thwarted a team aiming for a historic three consecutive ASEAN Cup titles. In 2008, they denied Singapore’s bid in the semifinals. Before this year’s final, only Malaysia had achieved a similar feat, eliminating Thailand in the 2018 semifinals.

Vietnam joined Singapore as the only two nations to have beaten Thailand in the final of the ASEAN Cup, both accomplishing the feat twice. Singapore’s victories came in 2007 and 2012, while Vietnam’s triumphs occurred in 2008 and now in 2024.

Vietnam also set a new record for the most wins in a single ASEAN Cup campaign, securing seven victories and one draw without a single loss. No other team, including Thailand, have achieved this feat in the tournament’s 29-year history.

Vietnam recorded their highest-ever goal difference in the tournament, finishing with +14 (20 goals scored and six conceded). This surpassed their record of +13 from the previous edition. The tournament’s all-time record of +16, set by Indonesia in 2004, still stands, but Vietnam’s consistency across matches showcased their offensive and defensive prowess.

Striker Nguyen Xuan Son became the first Vietnamese player to win the tournament’s Golden Boot outright, scoring seven goals despite missing the first three games. He broke the tie set by Nguyen Tien Linh and Thailand’s Teerasil Dangda with six goals each in the previous edition.

Son, a Brazilian-born striker who adopted Vietnamese citizenship in September, suffered a severe leg injury and had to leave the Sunday final during the first half.

While Son could not surpass the all-time record of 10 goals in a single tournament, held by Singapore’s Noh Alam Shah in 2007, his performance was a highlight of Vietnam’s campaign.

Additionally, this was the first time Vietnam had two players—Son and Nguyen Tien Linh—score four or more goals in a single tournament, further demonstrating the team’s offensive strength.

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