Vietnam (in white) demonstrate an excellent fighting spirit but could not finish off chances to reverse the game.   

NDO – Vietnam held Thailand to a goalless draw in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 semi-final on December 26, but it was not enough to salvage their title defence campaign as the War Elephants advanced to the final match with an aggregate 2-0 victory.

Vietnam headed into the Sunday match knowing that they must beat the War Elephants by a margin of at least two goals in order to seize any chance of keeping their title defence campaign alive.

Park’s players demonstrated their determination by proactively pressuring from the first whistle.

It took the 2018 champions just four minutes to produce the first threat, with Quang Hai blasting a quick fire from close range that found the position of goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom.

The playmaker then sent a number of clever passes to teammates to pour constant pressure on Thailand’s goal.

The Golden Star Warriors should have gone ahead in the 28th minute when Quang Hai curled a subtle long pass to put Tien Linh in a one-on-one with Chatchai Bootprom, but the Thai goalkeeper decisively dashed forward to make a timely rescue.

The attempt also forced Chatchai off injured and replaced by Siwarak Tedsungnoen.

In the remainder of the first half, Vietnam again missed two golden opportunities to get off the mark, with Quang Hai’s powerful freekick being saved by Siwarak (37’) and Ho Tan Tai’s header skidding off the post (45’).

VAN TOAN