Vietnam player wants to face Thailand in ASEAN Cup final

Vietnam defeated Singapore 3-1 in the second leg of the semifinals (5-1 on aggregate) to reach the final. The opponent will be the winner of the remaining semifinal match between the Philippines and Thailand. In the first leg, the Philippines won 2-1, and in the second leg, the two teams will play on Thailand's home ground on Monday.

Tien Dung said that reaching the final means giving everything against any rival, but he personally hopes to meet Thailand.

"We have lots of history with that opponent," Tien Dung said after the semifinal on Sunday.

Bui Tien Dung (number 4) and Nguyen Hoang Duc (number 14) celebrate in the 3-1 victory in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup semifinals between Vietnam and Singapore on Dec. 29, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Hieu Luong

Thailand have long been regarded as Southeast Asia’s football powerhouse, with seven championships across 14 ASEAN Cups (formerly the AFF Cup and Tiger Cup) in 1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020 and 2022. Meanwhile, Vietnam have won the tournament twice, in 2008 and 2018.

Under coach Park Hang-seo (2018-2023), Vietnam managed to dethrone Thailand at the 2018 AFF Cup, claimed gold at the 2019 SEA Games, and became the region's sole representative in the third round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. However, Thailand exacted revenge by defeating Vietnam in the semifinals of the 2020 ASEAN Cup and the final of the 2022 edition.

Midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc said he doesn’t want to choose an opponent in the final because every team deserve respect. He affirmed that he will try his best to bring the title to the fans.

Vietnam will host the first leg of the final at Viet Tri Stadium on Jan. 2, 2025. Hoang Duc highlighted the advantage of playing in front of a home crowd.

"The fans have been our biggest support and motivation throughout the tournament," he said. "In the final, we will give more than 100% to achieve the best result."