The Vietnamese team defeated Singapore 2-0 in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 semi-final at Jalan Besar Stadium tonight.
The Vietnamese team had to play away in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 semi-final against Singapore. It was not until the extra time of the second half that Nguyen Tien Linh and Nguyen Xuan Son scored to help the Vietnamese team win.
Similar to the match against the Philippines on artificial turf, the Vietnamese team played cautiously and prioritized solidity. Singapore controlled the ball up to 67% but the home team did not create any dangerous attacks in the first half.
The number of shots of the Vietnamese team was not more than that of the opponent. Nguyen Xuan Son had many difficulties when being closely marked. The naturalized striker of Brazilian origin showed poor adaptability on the uneven pitch when he often made mistakes in handling the ball.
Coach Kim Sang-sik and his players were disappointed when Dinh Thanh Binh's attempt to put the ball into the net was disallowed for offside. On the other hand, Vietnamese fans were shocked when the defender and goalkeeper fumbled and almost scored an own goal.
After a goalless first half, coach Kim Sang-sik adjusted the lineup early in the second half. However, the changes did not help the Vietnamese team improve their playing style. In fact, the Vietnamese players had a few awkward moments when the opponent pressed them.
In a deadlocked match, the Vietnamese team still had a few attacks with strong individual marks. Controversy arose when Nguyen Xuan Son's super goal was not recognized. After 5 minutes of consulting VAR and reviewing the video, the referee determined that the ball touched the Vietnamese striker's hand.
Coach Kim Sang-sik's players put pressure on the Singapore defense at the end of the match, causing the defense to falter. Xuan Son was not skillful, but his strength helped the Vietnamese team get a penalty in the extra time of the second half. Nguyen Tien Linh did not miss the opportunity to score.
Not stopping there, the Vietnamese team consolidated their advantage before the second leg with a goal from Xuan Son just before the end of the match. The 2-0 away win helped the Vietnamese team expand their chances of reaching the final of the AFF Cup 2024.
HA (synthetic)