Xuan Son leads the list of top scorers of ASEAN Cup 2024

Nguyen Xuan Son has scored 5 goals, 1 more than the second-placed group, which is currently striker Shawal Anuar (Singapore) and teammate Nguyen Tien Linh. Three Thai players Patrik Gustavsson, Teerasak Poeiphimai and Suphanat Mueanta each scored 3 goals.

Except for Anuar, who has no chance due to Singapore's elimination, the remaining players are still capable of competing for the Golden Boot title with Son.

Xuan Son is a special case in this year's tournament. According to the regulations on the time of living in Vietnam, he can only debut for the national team on December 21, 2024, in the final match of the group stage against Myanmar. That day, the Brazilian-born striker scored two goals and made two assists.

In the first leg of the semi-final in Singapore on December 26, Xuan Son scored the winning goal 2-0 in the 14th minute of injury time. Before that, he had won a penalty for Tien Linh to open the score.

In the return leg at Viet Tri Stadium, Xuan Son once again made an important contribution to Vietnam's 3-1 victory. He scored from the penalty spot to open the scoring in the first half, before tapping in from close range to double the lead in the 63rd minute. Vietnam's remaining goal in the match was scored by Tien Linh from the 11m mark in the second half's injury time.

With 5 goals in just 3 matches, the Brazilian striker became one of the players with the best scoring efficiency in the history of ASEAN Cup, formerly AFF Cup.

Tien Linh is the first Vietnamese player to win the AFF Cup Golden Boot, with 6 goals in the 2022 season.