It was a captivating 90-minute 0-0 draw in the first match of the 2022 AFF Cup semifinals.
Thuy Hong, 27, started praying when a powerful 25-meter strike from Indonesia’s Yakob Sayuri barely missed the net in the 29th minute. Hong said she’s been coming to Le Loi Street to support Vietnam since the group stage matches. Like many, she brings New Year wishes with her:
“I hope Vietnam can win this title to make the Lunar New Year holiday (Tet) complete,” she said. Tet falls in late this month
“This game was intense, but I felt like Indonesia had more possession,” said 23-year-old Dang Thuy Van (on the right in red shirt). She was thrilled every time goalkeeper Dang Van Lam made a save.
Sitting in the front row was Phan Minh Hung, a war hero who held a handmade version of the AFF Cup to support the team.
Hung reacted passionately when wing-back Doan Van Hau was fouled multiple times in the first minutes.
Tran Van Hanh, 46, came to the big city from neighboring Binh Duong Province to show support for the national team.
Two-year-old Vicky came to Le Loi Street with her father Nguyen Van Cuong to watch the game.
“This is the first time that the two of us came here to watch the game on the big screen,” said Cuong. “It feels much better here than watching at home, and Vicky is also delighted.”
Ho Chi Minh City organizers set up three big screens and blocked traffic on downtown’s Le Loi Street for people to watch the AFF Cup matches. In previous tournaments, the big screens were placed nearby on pedestrian-only Nguyen Hue Street.
Nhi couldn’t take her eyes off the screen during the last minutes of the game.
“I hope that the team will win to advance to the finals. Our opponents committed many fouls in this game, but the referee didn’t do anything about it,” Nhi said.
Hundreds of fans were relieved when goalkeeper Van Lam made a few heart-stopping saves in the last three minutes of the match. The 0-0 draw against Indonesia gave Vietnam a slight edge before the second leg of the tournament begins January 9 at Vietnam’s home field: My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.
