Vietnam poised to secure berth in ASEAN Cup title match

Vietnam will meet Singapore again this December 29 in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup 2024 semifinal, with coach Kim Sang-sik’s side knowing that a draw would be enough to send them through to the title decider.
Forward Nguyen Xuan Son scores Vietnam’s second goal in their 2-0 win against Singapore in the ASEAN Cup 2024 semifinal first leg on December 26.
Forward Nguyen Xuan Son scores Vietnam’s second goal in their 2-0 win against Singapore in the ASEAN Cup 2024 semifinal first leg on December 26.

The Vietnamese team are brimming with confidence following their hard-fought 2-0 away victory in the first leg on the opponents’ turf two days ago. Though the win came late, with goals from Tien Linh and Xuan Son scored during stoppage time, it was quite well-deserved for Kim and his players.

In that clash, Singapore, despite being the underdogs on home soil, posed significant challenges for Vietnam. Their solid defence left the visitors struggling to penetrate goalkeeper Mahbud's net. Additionally, Singapore's sharp counterattacks kept the Vietnamese players on edge a number of times.

Although trailing 0-2, Singapore still has over 90 minutes in the return leg to stage a comeback. With nothing to lose, the Lions will pull out all the stops to chase a spot in the final, presenting a formidable challenge for the host side.

On the other hand, Vietnam hold the advantage of playing at home at Viet Tri Stadium, coupled with their 2-0 lead. A draw would be enough for coach Kim Sang-sik’s team to advance to the title decider. However, Vietnamese fans are hoping for a decisive win that underscores the team’s strength and dominance.

Vietnam have every reason to aim high, boasting a strong lineup, particularly with the formidable Nguyen Xuan Son leading the attack. However, Son must remain composed and avoid retaliating against potential provocations from opponents to prevent unnecessary cards.

Concerns over defender Thanh Chung's availability were alleviated, as his yellow card from the group stage has been nullified under tournament rules. Unfortunately, Van Toan remains sidelined due to injury.

Singapore, meanwhile, will field their strongest squad, including the return of star player Kyoga Nakamura from suspension.

Facing a 0-2 deficit, Singapore are expected to come out swinging in an all-out effort to turn the tide. With nothing left to lose, the Lions will be a tough adversary for Vietnam. It is crucial for the Vietnamese team to stay focused and capitalize on early scoring opportunities to control the match from the first half.

Projected lineups:

Vietnam: Dinh Trieu, Tien Dung, Xuan Manh, Thanh Chung, Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Van Khang, Thanh Binh, Tien Anh, Xuan Son, Vi Hao.

Singapore: Mahbud, Safuwan Baharudin, Adli, Lionel Tan, Najeeb, Stewart, Sulaiman, Syahin, Shahiran, Anuar, Kweh.

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