The Vietnamese football team lift the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup after beating Malaysia 1-0 in the second-leg final match in Hanoi on December 15. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese football team won applaudsfrom international media after beating Malaysia 1-0 in the second-leg final match ofthe ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in Hanoi on December 15.
“An early goal by Nguyen Anh Duc proved decisive as Vietnam beatMalaysia 1-0 at My Dinh National Stadium on Saturday to lift the AFF Suzuki Cupfor the second time,” the French news agency AFP reported.
“Vietnam had the benefit of two away goals from the first leg and theymade an excellent start in Hanoi, taking the lead when Nguyen Quang Hai's chipfrom the left found Anh Duc, whose left-footed volley was too powerful forgoalkeeper Farizal Marlias to keep out of his net.”
The US’s Associated Press (AP) also highlightedVietnam’s early goal by striker Nguyen Anh Duc in the sixth minute after across from playmaker Nguyen Quang Hai, adding that “the win showed the progressmade by Vietnam since Park Hang-seo became head coach.”
The UK-based Reuters ran an article “Vietnam win ASEAN title thanks toAnh Duc volley,” saying “Vietnam last won the regional title in 2008 and AnhDuc's fine first-half strike ensured Park Hang-seo's side overcame a robustMalaysia team to send the majority of the sold-out crowd at the My Dinh Stadiuminto raptures.”
The Fox Sports Asia ran various headlines about Vietnam’s victory. “With just six minutes on the clock, Vietnam brokefree down the left and Nguyen Quang Hai found enough space to chip a neat ballto the back post, which Anh Duc met with a sweetly-struck volley that FarizalMarlias got a hand to but could not keep out,” according to an article named “Vietnamsee off Malaysia to win AFF Suzuki Cup 2018” published by Gabriel Tan on the FoxSports Asia.
“As the game entered its closing stages, Vietnamshowed just why they have been the best team in the tournament, keeping thingstight at the back and showing excellent professionalism to see out the contestand be crowned champions of Southeast Asia,” Tan wrote.
The Malaysia-based New Straits Times reported Malaysiancoach Tan Cheng Hoe admitted that the early goal by Vietnam"destroyed" all his plans for the game and it affected his players’confidence.
“In the previous match (on December 11), we did acomeback, but this time, the players could not score and some scoringopportunities went begging," the news outlet quoted Tan as saying.
Tan Cheng Hoe's men gave it their all in Hanoi butwere ultimately thwarted by resolute Vietnamese defending and goalkeeper DangVan Lam, The Star from Malaysia reported.
A number of online news outletsfrom the Republic of Korea, the home country of coach Park Hang-seo, forexample, Chosun.com, Nocutnews.co.kr, Sports Khan and Sports Seoul, alsohighlighted the Vietnamese team’s win over Malaysia in their stories.
Nguyen Anh Duc’s unstoppableleft-footed volley completed the “Park Hang-seo’s magic.” The Vietnamesefootball team led by coach Park lifted the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup again afterwaiting for ten years, Sports Khan said. –VNA
VNA
