Vietnam naturalized striker doesn't care about sarcastic remarks of Thailand defender

Name: Vietnam naturalized striker doesn't care about sarcastic remarks of Thailand defender
Uploaded: 2025-01-03T07:44:16+07:00
Duration: 3 min 34 s
Description: After scoring twice to secure Vietnam's 2-1 victory over Thailand in the first leg of the ASEAN Cup final, striker Nguyen Xuan Son brushed aside Thai defender Chalermsak Aukkee's provoking pre-match comments.

By Hieu Luong January 2, 2025 | 04:44 pm PT

Nguyen Xuan Son wins the ball from Chalermsak Aukkee in the 73rd minute, before scoring the second goal for Vietnam against Thailand in the first leg of the ASEAN Cup final in Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho Province, on Jan. 2, 2024 Photo by VnExpress/Hieu Luong

After scoring twice to secure Vietnam's 2-1 victory over Thailand in the first leg of the ASEAN Cup final, striker Nguyen Xuan Son brushed aside Thai defender Chalermsak Aukkee's provoking pre-match comments.

Before the game, Aukkee claimed he was unconcerned about facing Vietnam and did not know who Son was, even asserting that his teammate Jonathan Khemdee was stronger than the Brazilian-born striker.

However, at Viet Tri Stadium on Jan. 2, Son let his performance do the talking. His brace, including a goal in the 73rd minute after winning the ball from Aukkee, said it all. Khemdee remained on the bench throughout the match.

When asked about Aukkee's comments, Son maintained his focus on the game. "I don't care what others say about me. Words like that don't affect me," the 27-year-old striker said. "My only goal is to give everything I have on the pitch to help my team win. That's how I approach every match."

In 90 minutes, Son had six shots with three on target, scoring twice. This performance made him the Vietnamese player with the most goals in a single ASEAN Cup tournament, surpassing Nguyen Tien Linh (2022) and Le Huynh Duc (2002). He also became the first Vietnamese player to score in four consecutive matches in the tournament, breaking Duc's previous record of three matches in 1996.

Son said Thailand's defense did a good job in applying pressure but could not prevent Vietnam's victory. He also credited his teammates, particularly playmakers Nguyen Hoang Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai, for their support.

"They are incredibly skilled players and understand my movements well," he said. "Having intelligent teammates like them makes my job on the pitch much easier."

The victory gives Vietnam a crucial advantage heading into the second leg at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium on Jan. 5, which is expected to host over 51,000 fans. Vietnam only need to avoid defeat to claim their third ASEAN Cup title.

"We need to stay focused," Son added. "Thailand have many quality players, but we are ready to fight and aim for a win in the second leg. Right now, the team's priority is recovering. I want to thank the fans for their passionate support and my teammates for their relentless effort on the field."

Việt Nam 2-1 Thái Lan — ASEAN Cup final highlights: Vietnam 2-1 Thailand